Saving a (Relatively) Small School

8/8/2019 Saving a (Relatively) Small School

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Saving a Small SchoolDavid Coulbeck

25/09/2010 NASS Northern Regional Conference24.9.2010

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My background

Step grandparent to 2 pupils at a small local primaryschool under threat of closure

Chair of GLASS Gillas Lane Action to Support School

Retired local government manager 28 years indifferent authorities

(My wife has over 30 years public sector experiencealso)

Some (little) experience of education

Extensive knowledge of how local authorities work I have the time and the inclination. Most parents

dont


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Gillas Lane Primary School

Located in Houghton-le-

Spring

City of Sunderland Council

Maintained school notrust or faith status

Approx. 120 pupils

In recognised area of

deprivation Major social upheaval

within the last 20 years


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Gillas Lane Primary Issues

Surplus places problem 220 capacity, only

120 approx pupils

Caused by large scale demolition by Council ofcouncil estate in cachement area 400+

houses demolished

Older buildings 1960s / 70s higher than

average maintenance costs

Ripe for review by Sunderland City Council


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However.

GL well supported by parents and localcommunity

Pupils like it, feel safe

Ofsted inspection November 2008 - Goodwith some Outstanding areas

Good attainment levels despite slightly higher

than average SEN population Head Teacher and Teaching staff well

respected


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Parental Choice

Many parents chose Gillas Lane because: It is a small school

It has a family-oriented ethos and environment

The teachers know the names of all the children

The pupils feel it is an extension of the family Behaviour is good - no bullying problems

More pupils live nearer Bernard Gilpin Primary School (65%)but choose to go to GL

The teachers like working there

The standards are better at Gillas Lane than neighbouringschools

Pupils from Gillas Lane are well prepared when they move tothe local secondary school


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School Place Planning Review

Sunderland City Council

Consulted with parents in Oct. 2008 and Feb2009

Options:

1. Close GL and send pupils to a nearby largerschool,Bernard Gilpin

2. Amalgamate GL and BG schools on BG site3. Take action at both schools to reduce surplus

places and budgets leaving 2 sustainable schools


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School Comparison

Gillas Lane

120 pupils, max 210

Good Ofsted (some

Outstanding) Attainment good

SEN provision good

Buildings dated and needsome refurbishment

Nursery Unit attached Kitchen on site

Traditional classroom layout

No school entrance issues

Bernard Gilpin

Pupils 260, max 350

Satisfactory Ofsted (some Good)

Attainment satisfactory / good

SEN provision satisfactory Buildings relatively new, lower

maintenance

No nursery provision on site

No kitchen on site

Open plan type classroom layout,smaller size rooms

School Entrance issues dangerousroads around BG and Houghton Nursery

750,000+ needed for school extensionto cater for GL children


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Entrance Issues

Bernard Gilpin Houghton Nursery


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Consultation

In summary: Tick Box exercise

Sunderland City Council already had a preferred option closureof GL and send pupils to BG

Parents and pupils views ignored throughout the process

Felt that closing GL was seen as an easy option that would solvethe problems at BG

GL treated differently to other schools with similar problems

Little or no dialogue and explanation

Dubious statistics and assertions presented as fact Mistakes and omissions in reports

Parents were appalled by the way they were treated

Council not expecting anyresistance..but..


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Resistance..

Action Group formed

GLASS

Gillas Lane Action to SupportSchool

8 local parents and carersincluding 2 (now 3) parentgovernors

Supported by 2 localindependent ward councillors

Liaising with Head Teacher andBoard of Governors

Recognising conflict ofinterests

Taking independent action


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Action Group Strategy

Challenge the council at alllevels

Put pressure on the officersand councillors

Galvanise public supportand response

Use the law and thecouncils own policies to

challenge the councils case Be prepared for a long fight

IT IS A MARATHON NOT ASPRINT!


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Tactics

Council policies andstrategies contrary actions

Formal Complaints 5about consultation LGO

(crucial in the final analysis)

Calling In Cabinetdecisions scrutiny

Newsletter for parents

distributed by school veryimportant

Ensuring bums on seats atpublic meetings


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Tactics (cont.)

Co-ordinating responses toconsultation parent governors

Letters to Head of ChildrensServices and Cabinet Members

Research pupil forecasts, housebuilding forecasts, birth rateforecasts, government policy etc.

Challenging reports andstatements in detail

Lobbying MP, DCSF,Ministers

by letter and email Petitions Local (1100+),

Facebook (300+),No. 10 ePetition(200+)


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Tactics (cont.)

Web site www.savegillaslaneschool.info

GLASS Survey of

parents views evidence forauthoritative GLASSreport as part ofconsultation

GLASS initiated thepupils survey

And..


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Public Relations

Local Evening paper all articles positive andsupportive

BBC Look North pieceon Gillas Lane closurethreat

Protest Picnic led to

face-to-face discussionswith members andofficers


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Protest Picnic


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Protest Picnic


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Protest Picnic


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Public Relations (cont.)

Save Gillas Lane Schoolbanners, badges, mugs,business cards andprotest flowers, T shirts

Attended a relatedcouncil / public event -high profile presence

Presence at Full CouncilMeetings T shirt

Questions, statements atFull Council independent councillors


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Timescale

Oct 2008 First Parents Consultation Meeting

Feb 2009 Second Parents Consultation Meeting

April 2009 Cabinet decision closure proposal (10seconds)

May/ June 2009 6 week Statutory Representation Period July 2009 SOC Meeting (just before the summer break!)

September 2009 Referral to Schools Adjudicator

November 2009 - Schools Adjudicator Visit and Public

Meeting Jan 2010 Final report from Schools Adjudicator with

rejection of the councils closure proposal


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SOC Meeting, July 2009

No right of appeal from the outset

Venue changed to our locality after GLASSpressure important

Church Hall avoided inappropriate behaviour

5 members of SCC Cabinet + 6 officers

Report 400+ pages long

8 presenters against the proposal to close theschool

50-60 audience parents, carers and teachers


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SOC Meeting (cont.)

Case for the closure officers

Case against 8 presentations which included newinformation, a new option involving Houghton Nursery,challenges to many aspects of the report (pupil

forecasts, financial info, adequacy of consultation etc.) Questions and Responses

Leader of Council summed up

Defer decision until LGO had reported back on 5

outstanding formal complaints! (Outside statutory period therefore passed to The

Schools Adjudicator)!


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Schools Adjudicator Report

Fair and Unbiased assessment, No Hidden Agenda, assesses against theStatutory Guidance for Closure

Conclusion

36. There are two key issues - those ofsurplus places and ofeducational standards - which above allothers need to present a more or less clear and convincing picture in circumstances such as those of GillasLane primary school, if a proposal for closure is to be well founded.

37. In my view, neither factor meets that test in this case. There is doubt over the long termappropriateness of a closure when looking at very local schools, and alternative means are available forreducing surplus places in the short term which have yet to be fully explored by the Council. I am notconvinced that the proposal would in practice contribute to the raising of local standards, comparedwith retention of the school and the pursuit of those other means.

38. In addition,I do have misgivings about the quality of the consultation process,as outlined above.These have added to my sense that the proposal is lacking in merit overall.I am not convinced that thereis a compelling need for closure in order to address the issue of surplus places, in the context of thecurrent performance of the school and that which can reasonably be expected in the future, given thealternatives that could be pursued. I therefore reject the proposal of the Council to cease to maintainGillas Lane Primary school on 31 August 2012.


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Victory Cake!


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Key Success Factors

Detailed analysis of the Statutory Guidance on school closure highlights strengths and weaknesses of councils arguments (andyours!)

Portfolio of evidence letters, emails, reports, decisions, timelines etc.all filed and organised

Prepare for all eventualities look at from all angles Support of the majority of the parents

Committed Action Group organisation, planning and execution

Treat it as a fight the council has a different agenda to you as parents

Make it uncomfortable for the Council work on its weaknesses

Knowledge ofyour local council use its systems to further yourcampaign knowing which buttons to press

Access to an appeal body The Schools Adjudicator in England

Tenacity, patience, hard work and (some) luck


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After the Euphoria

School still had to deal with the surplus places

and budgets issues

1 Classroom taken out of teaching use

Reduction of teaching staff

Reduction of the PAN

Mixed year groups

Gillas Lane Primary is open for business as

the parents and the local community wanted.

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Sharing Experiences

Many lessons learnt

Wanted to share them

Many people concerned about the threat of closure, no

idea where to look Knowledge, experience and advice shared through http://parentsagainstschoolclosure.davesinfocafe.com

Currently working with 2 schools in Gateshead, 1 in

South Tyneside and have had numerous requests foradvice from schools in Scotland, Wales and England.

Discussions with NASS working together



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Useful Links

Save Gillas Lane School

www.savegillaslaneschool.info

Parents Against School Closure

http://parentsagainstschoolclosure.davesinfocafe.com

NASS

www.smallschools.org.uk

The Schools Adjudicator http://www.schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk/



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Any Questions?


Documents

Saving a (Relatively) Small School