School campaign's warning for Dorset (From Bournemouth Echo)

School campaign's warning for Dorset

12:20pm Monday 16th February 2009 in Search By Laura Kitching

AN ACTION group has warned that county council proposals to reorganise schools from three tiers to two in Purbeck could continue throughout Dorset.

Bev Hindle, of the Purbeck Middle Schools Action Group, said the ‘ill-conceived’ scheme for Purbeck had ‘torn communities apart’ and ‘set first school and middle school heads against one another’.

She said: “We believe this should be a Dorset-wide debate because if the council gets its way in the Purbecks it’s only a matter of time before the rest of Dorset goes to two tier.

“Dorset County Council has already re-organised in Blandford and Shaftesbury which has resulted not only in massive overspends but a dramatic fall in standards.”

Fellow action group member Jennifer Blakesley, who is a parent of two Sandford Middle School pupils, said: “A two-tier system doesn’t work here. Purbeck is a very rural community.

“The small village schools are often the heart of the community. The children need a middle school to prepare them for life at a big school.”

Chairman of the group Andy Kent said they were opposed to the financial issue, the proposals’ ‘lack of transparency’ and ‘the fact the consultation period itself has been badly organised’.

The action group is holding a public meeting on Wednesday at Swanage and Wareham Rugby Club at 7.30pm, where middle school head teachers are expected to present their objections.

Copies of the consultation document are available at Purbeck schools, the district council offices in Wareham and Purbeck libraries, online at www.dorsetforyou.com/purbeckreview or by calling 01305 228621.

Feedback from the public consultation will be put together and discussed.