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RICHMOND WATCHDOG OPEN FORUM
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| Subject: Oldfield School and 'SOC' minutes |
Author: Trevor Clarke
Date: 11/1/2001 12:15 am WEDT
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I'm posting this fresh under a new topic as there has been no reply to date either from Cllr Knight or from Beverly Butler regarding the SOC minutes. A poor state of affairs.
On closer scrutiny of Cllr Knights comments, some need challenging.
Firstly, on the issue of an increase from 2 to 2.3 teachers in the new unit, as if this was a wonderful extra benefit. What a disengenous claim that is! We did hear him say this at SOC but were not given any right of reply! Oldfield House School had 3 teachers until the summer term - now down to 2. The learning support assistants will be reduced from 4 to 2. They will also lose a full time headteacher. This may look extremely generous to many of no or little knowledge of Oldfield and the needs of children with emotional and behavioral difficulties, if going on Cllr Knight's quoted number of 11 pupils.
The school was funded for 18 but could easily take care of 25. The numbers did fluctuate, taking in pupils on a short term basis, going up to 18 on occasions. This dispels the myth of Oldfield being inflexible and not able to reintegrate or co-ordinate with mainstream schools. There will now be no spare capacity for such future circumstances. A case can also be argued of the LEA deliberately running down the numbers to strengthen their case for closure.
Regarding the support of UNISON - that came out of the blue at SOC and no independent evidence has been produced to verify that. As for the 3 members of staff supporting the proposal - one had already left, the other two, it seems, were under pressure and thinking of their own future interests. Were they persuaded to do this to help with a job placement? The following is part of a response from Steve Cowan of UNISON to me prior to the SOC meeting.
'My specific brief lies with ensuring that the support staff have secure jobs whatever the outcome of the S.O.C. is. Clearly, a majority view is for the school to continue but there are some who are mentally prepared to move on
should the school close.'
Any response to these and other points made remaining unanswered Cllr Knight? Any news on when we'll finally receive the full minutes of the SOC meeting on 13 September? |
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Author |
Date |
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Oldfield School and 'SOC' minutes |
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Trevor Clarke |
11/1/2001 12:15 am WEDT |
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Bob Parslow |
11/6/2001 5:53 pm WEDT |
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Trevor Clarke |
11/9/2001 11:51 am WEDT |
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R H |
11/9/2001 1:01 pm WEDT |
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RichardMeacock |
11/9/2001 2:20 pm WEDT |
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Trevor Clarke |
11/9/2001 3:21 pm WEDT |
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R H |
11/9/2001 9:03 pm WEDT |
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