01/09/08 - PS7 School Competition Update

PS7 - SCHOOL COMPETITION UPDATE

PS7 is due to come online September 2009, initially with a Reception and a Year 1 class in temporary buildings, and then with a full two form entry school with permanent facilities ready for September 2010.

The Government legally that all new schools must go out to open competition to determine who will actually run the new school.  Typically the organisations who might bid include:  Local Councils, Faith schools, Charities and residents groups.  To speed up the process of PS7 coming online, we asked the Government if we could by-pass the competition and default to a Swindon Council community school to meet the well documented needs of Oakhurst residents. We are still waiting to hear the final outcome of this application, though we expect it to be refused.

The open competition process has now begun.  The closing date for applications on who should run the school will be on October 23^rd.  There will then be a 6 week representation period and a public meeting.  The final decision is taken by the School Adjudicator and not Swindon Council as we are one of the bidders.

We, Councillor's Justin Tomlinson, Vera Tomlinson & Peter Stoddart and Barry Davis (resident's representative) requested that Swindon Council should bid to run the school.  This was 100% backed by Swindon Council.  This has our full support and will surely put our application in a very strong position.   A Swindon Council school will follow the standard school admissions policies which would offer the maximum potential number of places to Oakhurst residents.

It is believed a potential second bid could be made by a FaithSchool.  This if successful could lead to perhaps 50% of the admission places being allocated outside the local area.  We will not support this bid as Oakhurst families themselves will need the maximum number of places available to meet local demand.

The School Adjudicator will have to take into account a number of factors in reaching his decision including: school standards, diversity, Every Child Matters, the need for places, SEN, the impact on the community etc.

We will make sure that if there is more than one bid, during that representation period everything possible is done to show that the Oakhurst residents want a Community school which has the greatest access to local residents.  If you support our position to deliver a Swindon Council community school which offers the maximum potential number of places to Oakhurst residents please do send in your support to either:

justin@abbeymeadsintouch.com or Cllr Justin Tomlinson, 64 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Taw Hill, Swindon SN25 1UF.  We will make sure all responses are included in our representations to the School Adjudicator.

We will keep all local residents informed of any further updates.  It is your community - make sure you have your say! 

Councillor Justin Tomlinson / Councillor Vera Tomlinson / Councillor Peter Stoddart

www.abbeymeadsintouch.com