by yummydaddy » Mon Dec 06, 2010 11:12 am
Went to the ARK consultation session last week.
ARK has a strong track record in running secondary schools and I was impressed by their commitment regarding:
• The broad range of extra-curricular activities (as a result of longer school days)
• Daily physical activity
• Strong academic approach
• Focus on achievement
• Highest standards regarding behaviour and conduct in school
I’m less sure about the slightly cumbersome admission criteria (feeder schools and then as a second criteria distance within each feeder school).
Could theoretically mean (in case of oversubscription) that parents that are closer to the school than others won’t make it (because they are further down the list in their own feeder school list)
Also, with the focus on limited car use, I’m not sure that Wix-children can really safely commute half an hour through Clapham common ...
Best, in my opinion, would be to have walking distance as the key admission criteria, a tried and tested approach. But key is obviously how the government feels about this. If they insist on the feeder approach, well then so be it. If they are neutral on this, I would prefer walking distance as the only criteria.
In any case, I wish the best of luck regarding final government approval (planned for January, I believe) and then to find a strong head teacher.
Hats off to Ron Rooney and Jon de Maria and the rest of the parent team who pushed this forward with great enthusiasm and skill. They have done an truly awesome job !
Fingers crossed that they efforts are finally paying off.
Went to the ARK consultation session last week.
ARK has a strong track record in running secondary schools and I was impressed by their commitment regarding:
• The broad range of extra-curricular activities (as a result of longer school days)
• Daily physical activity
• Strong academic approach
• Focus on achievement
• Highest standards regarding behaviour and conduct in school
I’m less sure about the slightly cumbersome admission criteria (feeder schools and then as a second criteria distance within each feeder school).
Could theoretically mean (in case of oversubscription) that parents that are closer to the school than others won’t make it (because they are further down the list in their own feeder school list)
Also, with the focus on limited car use, I’m not sure that Wix-children can really safely commute half an hour through Clapham common ...
Best, in my opinion, would be to have walking distance as the key admission criteria, a tried and tested approach. But key is obviously how the government feels about this. If they insist on the feeder approach, well then so be it. If they are neutral on this, I would prefer walking distance as the only criteria.
In any case, I wish the best of luck regarding final government approval (planned for January, I believe) and then to find a strong head teacher.
Hats off to Ron Rooney and Jon de Maria and the rest of the parent team who pushed this forward with great enthusiasm and skill. They have done an truly awesome job !
Fingers crossed that they efforts are finally paying off.