Public / Parent Consultation Admissions 2017 – co-ed New school name

The process and timeline of consultation DatesEvent 9 th NovemberConsultation begins – all stakeholders 9 th -13 th NovemberStudent consultation – assemblies; feedback; drop-ins 12 th NovemberParent / Public consultation meeting 13 th NovemberStudents vote to express preference for a new school name 17 th NovemberParent drop-in consultation meeting 3 rd DecemberParent / Public consultation meeting 5 th JanuaryConsultation period ends 7 th JanuaryGovernors meet to review the consultation and decide whether or not to proceed with the proposed changes to admissions.

Why make this proposal? CHOICE – CURRENTLY PUPILS AND PARENTS OF BOYS AND GIRLS CANNOT CHOOSE A MIXED SELECTIVE SCHOOL TO ATTEND IN OUR LOCAL AREA. FAIRNESS – ANY PUPIL FROM NEW HORIZONS WHO IS DEEMED SELECTIVE SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY ON THE HOLCOMBE SITE AT THEIR CHOICE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL. SUPPORT FOR ALL SCHOOLS IN THE COMMUNITY – A MIXED GRAMMAR SCHOOL SUPPORTING A MIXED HIGH SCHOOL. EFFICIENCY – CURRENTLY THE SCHOOL HAS UNDER-UTILISED CAPACITY THAT MEANS WE CANNOT OFFER ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT WE WOULD WISH TO MAKE FOR OUR STUDENTS

Why Now? POSITIVE MOMENTUM PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A CHANGE FROM A POSITION OF STRENGTH. CHANGES IN THE LOCAL DEMOGRAPHIC MEANS THAT WE ARE BETTER ABLE TO MEET FUTURE DEMAND FOR PLACES IN THE LOCAL AREA. STAFFING CHANGES MEAN THAT WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT GROUP OF STAFF WHO HAVE RELEVANT EXPERIENCE TO MAKE THIS A SUCCESS. WE ARE ALREADY A SUCCESSFUL CO-EDUCATIONAL SIXTH FORM

How will the school change? CURRENT STUDENTS – NO CHANGE – THEY WILL STILL HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF A “BOYS” GRAMMAR SCHOOL. FUTURE STUDENTS – BUILD ON OUR STRENGTHS – THE HOUSE SYSTEM; THE COGNITIVE APPROACH TO EDUCATION; THE SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT BUT NOW GIRLS AND BOYS WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL NAME – IT IS INAPPROPRIATE TO MAINTAIN THE NAME – HOWEVER, HOLCOMBE IS A VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE SCHOOL AND MAINTAINS MANY OF THE CURRENT LINKS TO THE “PAST STUDENTS” AND THE PARENTS ASSOCIATION.

Consultation feedback so far SCHOOL NAME – “HOLCOMBE GRAMMAR SCHOOL” IS BY FAR THE MOST POPULAR OPTION SupportConcerns Overwhelming support from staff – “why has it taken so long?” Will there be enough Grammar School places for Boys? One school for all my children makes transport etc much easier Will this reduce choice for Boys and increase choice for Girls? Option to choose a co-ed grammar school locally – would be a preferred option for some parents Will this change my son’s experience in the school at the moment? It is right that Boys and Girls should be able to access the unique provision that this school offers Impact on other High Schools because of connection between The Victory Academy and CGSB