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Council votes to close Newton schools
5:30pm Thursday 15th May 2008
ST HELENS Council's Executive has voted this afternoon (Thursday) to close Newton High and St Aelred's Catholic Technology College, paving the way for a new £33m Academy.
The final decision, expected to be this June, will be made by Ed Balls, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.
The Academy would be sited on the current Newton High grounds.
Your Say Your Star
big doug, says...
5:44pm Thu 15 May 08
big doug, says...
5:44pm Thu 15 May 08
Anon, Newton says...
10:34pm Thu 15 May 08
Anon, Newton says...
10:34pm Thu 15 May 08
Anon, Newton says...
10:34pm Thu 15 May 08
p mcnulty, says...
10:52pm Thu 15 May 08
p mcnulty, says...
10:52pm Thu 15 May 08
p mcnulty, says...
10:52pm Thu 15 May 08
sd, sth says...
9:17am Fri 16 May 08
sd, sth says...
9:17am Fri 16 May 08
sd, sth says...
9:17am Fri 16 May 08
BST, says...
10:07am Fri 16 May 08
sd wrote:There speaks the voice of democracy, it's going to happen, there's nothing you can do about it so shut your traps-which seems to have been the council's attitude all along.It's a bit different when it's your child's education at stake though.
To all you parents that backed your kids walking out of St. Aelreds in 'protest',(like they were doing it for a cause, free afternoon, no school work hmmm I don't think!) and to all you anti-merger people, this was always going to happen, its now happening, if you don't like it send your kids elswhere & stop moaning!
BST, says...
10:07am Fri 16 May 08
sd wrote:There speaks the voice of democracy, it's going to happen, there's nothing you can do about it so shut your traps-which seems to have been the council's attitude all along.It's a bit different when it's your child's education at stake though.
To all you parents that backed your kids walking out of St. Aelreds in 'protest',(like they were doing it for a cause, free afternoon, no school work hmmm I don't think!) and to all you anti-merger people, this was always going to happen, its now happening, if you don't like it send your kids elswhere & stop moaning!
BST, says...
10:07am Fri 16 May 08
sd wrote:There speaks the voice of democracy, it's going to happen, there's nothing you can do about it so shut your traps-which seems to have been the council's attitude all along.It's a bit different when it's your child's education at stake though.
To all you parents that backed your kids walking out of St. Aelreds in 'protest',(like they were doing it for a cause, free afternoon, no school work hmmm I don't think!) and to all you anti-merger people, this was always going to happen, its now happening, if you don't like it send your kids elswhere & stop moaning!
sd, sth says...
11:09am Fri 16 May 08
sd, sth says...
11:09am Fri 16 May 08
sd, sth says...
11:09am Fri 16 May 08
Bill Bradbury, says...
12:52pm Fri 16 May 08
As I predicted in letters to the Star some 9 months ago and was told I was wrong when I said it was a "done deal" was I right or was I right?
Cuthberts/St.Augusti
ne's is the next merger with an Academy.
We will see how "inclusive" the new school will be in the number of special needs pupils and those with "statements" it will take.
Apart from a new school it will still contain the same old pupils and the same old staff, minus a few redundancies and when TUPE runs out perhaps a radical re-think of whom they employ and under what terms plus who will be Governors and who will not. Most Academies in the country allow 1 parent and 1 Local Authority Governor although when we see the terms of the "funding agreement" this will become clear.
Opposing Academies is the equivalent of spitting into the wind. They are going to happen for Authorities are told, no Academy, no money or new schools.
It is just that some of us are reluctant to see the "flogging off" of Public Assets to the Private Sector. It is not rocket science to note what has happened to our public utilities/ transport as a result.
Perhaps when the chickens come home to roost in 10-20 years time when these "Private" sponsors lose interest or money, then we will see the results of yesterday's sell off. They will want the Local Authorities to take over control.
But why bother so long as our children get a good education or even better if the "rationale" for Academies is to be believed? We should see a massive improvement in results. Watch out Eton & Harrow!!
Bill Bradbury, says...
12:52pm Fri 16 May 08
As I predicted in letters to the Star some 9 months ago and was told I was wrong when I said it was a "done deal" was I right or was I right?
Cuthberts/St.Augusti
ne's is the next merger with an Academy.
We will see how "inclusive" the new school will be in the number of special needs pupils and those with "statements" it will take.
Apart from a new school it will still contain the same old pupils and the same old staff, minus a few redundancies and when TUPE runs out perhaps a radical re-think of whom they employ and under what terms plus who will be Governors and who will not. Most Academies in the country allow 1 parent and 1 Local Authority Governor although when we see the terms of the "funding agreement" this will become clear.
Opposing Academies is the equivalent of spitting into the wind. They are going to happen for Authorities are told, no Academy, no money or new schools.
It is just that some of us are reluctant to see the "flogging off" of Public Assets to the Private Sector. It is not rocket science to note what has happened to our public utilities/ transport as a result.
Perhaps when the chickens come home to roost in 10-20 years time when these "Private" sponsors lose interest or money, then we will see the results of yesterday's sell off. They will want the Local Authorities to take over control.
But why bother so long as our children get a good education or even better if the "rationale" for Academies is to be believed? We should see a massive improvement in results. Watch out Eton & Harrow!!
Bill Bradbury, says...
12:52pm Fri 16 May 08
As I predicted in letters to the Star some 9 months ago and was told I was wrong when I said it was a "done deal" was I right or was I right?
Cuthberts/St.Augusti
ne's is the next merger with an Academy.
We will see how "inclusive" the new school will be in the number of special needs pupils and those with "statements" it will take.
Apart from a new school it will still contain the same old pupils and the same old staff, minus a few redundancies and when TUPE runs out perhaps a radical re-think of whom they employ and under what terms plus who will be Governors and who will not. Most Academies in the country allow 1 parent and 1 Local Authority Governor although when we see the terms of the "funding agreement" this will become clear.
Opposing Academies is the equivalent of spitting into the wind. They are going to happen for Authorities are told, no Academy, no money or new schools.
It is just that some of us are reluctant to see the "flogging off" of Public Assets to the Private Sector. It is not rocket science to note what has happened to our public utilities/ transport as a result.
Perhaps when the chickens come home to roost in 10-20 years time when these "Private" sponsors lose interest or money, then we will see the results of yesterday's sell off. They will want the Local Authorities to take over control.
But why bother so long as our children get a good education or even better if the "rationale" for Academies is to be believed? We should see a massive improvement in results. Watch out Eton & Harrow!!
sd, sth says...
2:11pm Fri 16 May 08
sd, sth says...
2:11pm Fri 16 May 08
sd, sth says...
2:11pm Fri 16 May 08
pete, Newton-Le-Willows says...
7:17pm Fri 16 May 08
To P Mcnulty the children of Newton dont get an equal level of education,everyone knows aelreds school has better facilities,and its not fair,and its disgusting when you consider its the same woman who is running both schools.
pete, Newton-Le-Willows says...
7:17pm Fri 16 May 08
To P Mcnulty the children of Newton dont get an equal level of education,everyone knows aelreds school has better facilities,and its not fair,and its disgusting when you consider its the same woman who is running both schools.
pete, Newton-Le-Willows says...
7:17pm Fri 16 May 08
To P Mcnulty the children of Newton dont get an equal level of education,everyone knows aelreds school has better facilities,and its not fair,and its disgusting when you consider its the same woman who is running both schools.
P Mcnulty, says...
9:39pm Fri 16 May 08
If a school is struggling I would suggest the answer is not to close down and demolish a nearby successful school in the hope standards will improve at the struggling school.The LEA has given no guarantees that the standard of eduction for St Aelreds pupils will be maintained at the academy.The whole thing is a sticking plaster so the LEA and Council can wash their hands of tackling the issue of falling pupils numbers and achievement at Newton High.If it goes wrong, as has happened at other academies, it'll be "nothing to do with us" from people who were previously accountable.
P Mcnulty, says...
9:39pm Fri 16 May 08
If a school is struggling I would suggest the answer is not to close down and demolish a nearby successful school in the hope standards will improve at the struggling school.The LEA has given no guarantees that the standard of eduction for St Aelreds pupils will be maintained at the academy.The whole thing is a sticking plaster so the LEA and Council can wash their hands of tackling the issue of falling pupils numbers and achievement at Newton High.If it goes wrong, as has happened at other academies, it'll be "nothing to do with us" from people who were previously accountable.
P Mcnulty, says...
9:39pm Fri 16 May 08
If a school is struggling I would suggest the answer is not to close down and demolish a nearby successful school in the hope standards will improve at the struggling school.The LEA has given no guarantees that the standard of eduction for St Aelreds pupils will be maintained at the academy.The whole thing is a sticking plaster so the LEA and Council can wash their hands of tackling the issue of falling pupils numbers and achievement at Newton High.If it goes wrong, as has happened at other academies, it'll be "nothing to do with us" from people who were previously accountable.
Jeff, Rainford says...
1:06am Sat 17 May 08
If you are going to criticise pupils spellings then put your own house in order.pete (sic) requires a capital letter, "i" should be a capital "I", "aeldreds" requires both a capital letter and an apostrophe, i.e "Aeldred's" and as "its" is short fot "it is" it also requires an apostophe, "its". Could do better, I think.
Jeff, Rainford says...
1:06am Sat 17 May 08
If you are going to criticise pupils spellings then put your own house in order.pete (sic) requires a capital letter, "i" should be a capital "I", "aeldreds" requires both a capital letter and an apostrophe, i.e "Aeldred's" and as "its" is short fot "it is" it also requires an apostophe, "its". Could do better, I think.
Jeff, Rainford says...
1:06am Sat 17 May 08
If you are going to criticise pupils spellings then put your own house in order.pete (sic) requires a capital letter, "i" should be a capital "I", "aeldreds" requires both a capital letter and an apostrophe, i.e "Aeldred's" and as "its" is short fot "it is" it also requires an apostophe, "its". Could do better, I think.
pete, Newton-Le-Willows says...
7:56am Sat 17 May 08
pete, Newton-Le-Willows says...
7:56am Sat 17 May 08
pete, Newton-Le-Willows says...
7:56am Sat 17 May 08
pete, Newton-Le-Willows says...
8:00am Sat 17 May 08
pete, Newton-Le-Willows says...
8:00am Sat 17 May 08
pete, Newton-Le-Willows says...
8:00am Sat 17 May 08
kv, st h says...
4:14pm Sat 17 May 08
pete wrote:Pete has a capital "P" also. (pot, kettle & black me think's)
Yes and Aelreds does not have a D in it. Need i say more.I was talking about the actual spelling.
kv, st h says...
4:14pm Sat 17 May 08
pete wrote:Pete has a capital "P" also. (pot, kettle & black me think's)
Yes and Aelreds does not have a D in it. Need i say more.I was talking about the actual spelling.
kv, st h says...
4:14pm Sat 17 May 08
pete wrote:Pete has a capital "P" also. (pot, kettle & black me think's)
Yes and Aelreds does not have a D in it. Need i say more.I was talking about the actual spelling.
DB, says...
4:28pm Sat 17 May 08
kv wrote:There is no apostrophe in 'thinks'.
pete wrote:Pete has a capital "P" also. (pot, kettle & black me think's)
Yes and Aelreds does not have a D in it. Need i say more.I was talking about the actual spelling.
DB, says...
4:28pm Sat 17 May 08
kv wrote:There is no apostrophe in 'thinks'.
pete wrote:Pete has a capital "P" also. (pot, kettle & black me think's)
Yes and Aelreds does not have a D in it. Need i say more.I was talking about the actual spelling.
DB, says...
4:28pm Sat 17 May 08
kv wrote:There is no apostrophe in 'thinks'.
pete wrote:Pete has a capital "P" also. (pot, kettle & black me think's)
Yes and Aelreds does not have a D in it. Need i say more.I was talking about the actual spelling.
kv, st h says...
4:55pm Sat 17 May 08
DB wrote:There is in my world.
kv wrote:There is no apostrophe in 'thinks'.pete wrote: Yes and Aelreds does not have a D in it. Need i say more.I was talking about the actual spelling.Pete has a capital "P" also. (pot, kettle & black me think's)
kv, st h says...
4:55pm Sat 17 May 08
DB wrote:There is in my world.
kv wrote:There is no apostrophe in 'thinks'.pete wrote: Yes and Aelreds does not have a D in it. Need i say more.I was talking about the actual spelling.Pete has a capital "P" also. (pot, kettle & black me think's)
kv, st h says...
4:55pm Sat 17 May 08
DB wrote:There is in my world.
kv wrote:There is no apostrophe in 'thinks'.pete wrote: Yes and Aelreds does not have a D in it. Need i say more.I was talking about the actual spelling.Pete has a capital "P" also. (pot, kettle & black me think's)
Anon, Newton-le-willows says...
5:33pm Sat 17 May 08
Anon, Newton-le-willows says...
5:33pm Sat 17 May 08
Anon, Newton-le-willows says...
5:33pm Sat 17 May 08
S Jones, Earlestown says...
7:22pm Sat 17 May 08
Anon wrote:No.
Whatever the spellings are,like it or lump it the schools will merge, so all get used to it.
S Jones, Earlestown says...
7:22pm Sat 17 May 08
Anon wrote:No.
Whatever the spellings are,like it or lump it the schools will merge, so all get used to it.
S Jones, Earlestown says...
7:22pm Sat 17 May 08
Anon wrote:No.
Whatever the spellings are,like it or lump it the schools will merge, so all get used to it.
John, St Helens says...
9:49pm Sat 17 May 08
John, St Helens says...
9:49pm Sat 17 May 08
John, St Helens says...
9:49pm Sat 17 May 08
Bill Bradbury, says...
11:44am Sun 18 May 08
Repeat "a Done deal" and that will go for any other school Academy programme, parenta/pupil opposition or otherwise.
Pity it had generated into a grammar debate. Don't car how people spell etc. so long as they make their points.
Bill Bradbury, says...
11:44am Sun 18 May 08
Repeat "a Done deal" and that will go for any other school Academy programme, parenta/pupil opposition or otherwise.
Pity it had generated into a grammar debate. Don't car how people spell etc. so long as they make their points.
Bill Bradbury, says...
11:44am Sun 18 May 08
Repeat "a Done deal" and that will go for any other school Academy programme, parenta/pupil opposition or otherwise.
Pity it had generated into a grammar debate. Don't car how people spell etc. so long as they make their points.
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big doug, says...
5:44pm Thu 15 May 08