Plans for Hungerford 'all through' school officially dead
The dramatic policy u-turn, announced in the Hungerford Education Plan Consultation Summary, reverses a controversial decision taken last October.
At that time, West Berkshire Council’s executive voted in favour of proposals to redesignate John O’Gaunt School an ‘all through’ establishment for pupils aged four to 18 years.
The decision, and the perceived lack of prior consultation, caused uproar and the mayor at that time, Martin Crane, warned: “Despite many opportunities for the district council to alert the town to this proposal
via Hungerford Town Council, none were taken up. To ignore this forum for public opinion is unwise of West Berkshire Council and may well cause more problems than if there had been a more inclusive consultation.”
The subsequent announcement of a consultation period resulted in the formation of a 400-strong parent group, Hungerford Education Plan Active Response (HEAR).
Its members soon made their opposition known and West Berkshire Council leader Gordon Lundie (Con, Lambourn) was heckled at a public meeting.
But the plans, already holed below the waterline, were fatally torpedoed when the headteacher of Hungerford Primary School, Gerry Heaton, and headteacher of John O’Gaunt
School, Sarah Brinkley, expressed their opposition.
In a public statement this week, West Berkshire Council announced: “Following extensive consultation, (the council) has taken the decision not to proceed with the development of an ‘all through school’ as initially proposed.”
The council now proposes a Hungerford Education Dialogue and suggests forming a stake-
holders group including headteachers, governors, two members from HEAR, town councillors and education officers.
It is proposed this group will first meet in June.
The Consultation Summary states: “It is our intention to engage in further dialogue and engagement over a period of time with these key stakeholders, to ensure that the many suggestions and alternative proposals which emerged from the consultation are fully discussed and debated, including considering pros, cons, identifying what is and is not possible, and articulating the supporting rationale for any conclusions.
“In terms of leadership and governance across the three schools, the HEAR group have suggested considering a Federation between the three schools, and this will require further thought.”
A spokeswoman for HEAR,Tina Harrigan-James, said: “The most important news is that we have been successful - we’re delighted that
common sense has
prevailed. We praise West Berkshire Council for considering the well-researched, intelligent and constructive views of the many residents who responded to their consultation.
“We’re pleased to see that their next steps incorporate most of the points contained in the short term plan presented by the HEAR group, namely to begin spending the promised £1m at John O’ Gaunt School, to invest in Hungerford Primary School so that it can properly accommodate the extra students it has been asked to accept and the formation of a working group, comprised of key stakeholders from the town, which will be tasked with creating a 10 year plan for education in Hungerford.”
HEAR has called members to a meeting in the Three Swans tomorrow evening - to “raise a glass to a successful community movement that has really made a difference” and to elect two members to sit on the working group.
Mrs Harrigan-James said HEAR “remains focussed on engaging with West Berkshire Council in a positive and forward-thinking manner to secure the best educational provision for the children of Hungerford and district.”
She added: “We’re encouraged by the content of this report, which reaffirms the comments made to our members in meetings and conversations during the consultation process.”