SORCampaign

There are "stakeholder groups" set up for Lowestoft and Haverhill, which include appointed individuals from each school in the area. The NUT has appointed representatives to these. However, the proceedings of these stakeholder forums are confidential, despite protests from the NUT.

The Lowestoft and Haverhill Forums have developed some initial proposals and have asked the NUT for feedback (on proposals we have been forbidden from sharing with our members!). By consulting with those who have some information on their own school's projected future and local knowledge, Suffolk NUT has produced feedback on the Lowestoft proposals, reflecting NUT policy to retain middle school buildings and staff in KS3 annexes to the Upper/High Schools. A similar response for Haverhill is under preparation. Central to Suffolk NUT's policy is the need to introduce and retain vocational education at KS4 in the High School curriculum and to retain sixth-forms in our High Schools.

We are not allowed to publish the current options under consideration for Lowestoft and Haverhill, however, we are publishing NUT feedback on the questions asked:

Basic Options for Reorganisation (LA approved models) (Powerpoint file)

Circular to MS NUT Reps and Members, June 2007

Circular to NUT Reps in other schools, 3-tier areas

Staffing Protocol (what happens to staff in schools which close)

ARCHIVES - How the NUT Fought to Save Middle Schools

School Reorganisation - the Closure of Middle Schools

The NUT is opposed to the current proposals of Suffolk County Council to close Middle Schools.
The NUT is urging County Councillors to refer back the cabinet's recommendations for further consultation and improved proposals for the shape of eduction in Suffolk.
The NUT is calling for urgent measures to limit the damage already done to staff morale in Middle Schools and to improve retention and recruitment.

What has the NUT done so far?:

June 2006 - NUT Set up a "Have your say" page for comments from members on the initial consultation paper, on www.suffolknut.org.uk .
Called Local Associaiton meetings for members to discuss, in the Spring, Summer and Autumn of 2006
Open meeting with Rosalind Turner (Suffolk Director of Services for Children and Young People) in Bury St Edmunds in June.
NUT Response to the "in principle" consultation on a 2 or 3-tier system for Suffolk, September 2006. What we said - conclusions.
Secured NUT members on the "Stakeholder panel" which met frequently with the Policy Review Panel.
2 meetings at County level with the Policy Review Panel.
NUT Circular to NUT Representatives in Middle Schools, December 2006 re. announcement of closure plan.
NUT Appeal to members of SCC Cabinet, January 2007. The warnings we gave.
Worded Joint Press Statement by NUT, ATL, NASUWT and UNISON, embargoed to February 21st 2007. What we are asking for now.

Meetings of NUT members on the closure of Middle Schools:

21st February, Westley Middle School at 19.15

22nd February, Kirkley High School Vocational Centre at 19:30

28th February, Halesworth Middle School at 19.30

Regular Reports posted on the Division's Website for meetings held in June 2006, Setember 2006, November 2006, January 2007.
Several Press Comments on Radio Suffolk, SGR Radio, and in the EADT and EDP.
Flyer produced for the Celebration of Middle Schools, Westley Middle School. 10th March
Now we are calling upon members to write to councilors and ask them to think again. What you can do.

Conclusions to NUT Response to original consultation: In summary, the NUT believes that:

There is no one structure that will meet the needs of all children of all ages in this County, given the long-standing existing provision and the need to provide the new entitlements at 14-19 in all 18 cluster areas of the county
The County will continue to require a range of structures and institutions. It may actually need to increase the number and range of different structures to suit the varying demands and population densities
The existing structures below age 14 should be left as they are until the pattern of 14-19 provision becomes established for all Upper/High School clusters, and the effect of new build, such as the proposed 16-19 Centre for South and West Ipswich and South Suffolk, is known.
In the meantime, the Authority could consider allowing some Middle Schools to evolve into KS3 Schools, where this does not conflict with plans for 14-19 provision, where there is scope for First School expansion and where the Upper School is able to mitigate potential staff reductions with growth in vocational and basic skills courses at KS4 and Sixth-form level, in a planned, phased way which will protect existing staff from the risk of redundancy.

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The warnings we gave:

Announcing closure but no plan for replacement means:

demoralisation for staff
uncertainty for pupils and parents
"planning blight" for any on-going plans for building projects and expansion plans in First and Upper/High schools as well as Middle
a retention crisis: staff will leave for more secure jobs and will not want to stay in a doomed environment
a recruitment crisis: few teachers, unless seeing out their last year before retirement, etc., would apply to a school which is about to close.

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What we're asking for:

The County Council should think again - reject the incomplete and destructive proposals on March 22nd.
The PDP to produce new detailed plans for the future organisation of all Upper/High pyramids which take into account staff, parental and pupil objections to their current plans
The New Plan to detail options for the retention of separate provision for the Middle School age-range
The New Plan to include measures for improving continuity and consistency of management and governance
Immediate retention measures to encourage Middle School teaching staff to stay in post
Clear undertakings to existing staff on redeployment in any subsequent reorganisation
Clear redundancy terms for those who feel unable to continue in a reorganised setting, because their particular experience and expertise is not required in the new setting.

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What you can do:

It now all depends on the decision of the County Council on March 22nd. Each County Councillors has a vote, and they can only vote to accept or reject. We ask all members and their colleagues to write to their County Councillor urging them to reject the proposals. If you work and live in a different County Council ward, you can write to both Councillors. Councillors from all over the county, of all parties, and from areas where there are no Middle Schools, all have a vote!

Follow this link to the SCC website to find the address of your County Councillor.

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