Purbeck schools revamp to go ahead despite opposition (From Bournemouth Echo)

Purbeck schools revamp to go ahead despite opposition

7:00pm Wednesday 8th July 2009 in

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CONTENTIOUS plans to revamp the schools system in Purbeck will go ahead.

Councillors have given the all-clear in principle to the switch from three-tier to two-tier education in the district, which has divided the community and educators since it was first mooted last year.

The county council says it needs to be done to eradicate 1,000 surplus places in Purbeck to make better use of funding, which is allocated per head and not per school.

But the proposals have caused uproar in sections of the community, particularly in Wool and Swanage.

The four middle schools, which would disappear under the plans, also united against them.

Andy Kent, the Purbeck Middle Schools Parents’ Action Group’s campaign leader, said afterwards: “I got the impression that no matter what we would have said their minds were made up and that’s the way they were going to go.”

But Mr Kent said there was still hope, as the process from here on allowed for further representations.

In Swanage and Wool, where there were vocal protests, there will be further consultation to see how the new system can work best.

Not all have been against the idea. Richard Holman, head of the Purbeck School in Wareham, has backed them, as have some other heads.

Jeremy Harrison, headteacher at Swanage St Mark’s First School, which would close and have its children sent to a new Swanage Primary School under the plans, said: “I think what will begin to happen and what I hope will happen is all schools will work together.”

John Nash, county director for children’s services, said: “The council has already set aside £20 million to put into Purbeck schools. It would be unwise to invest it in a structure that is not sustainable.”