Berkhamsted Education Provision Consultation

The consultation has now closed

HCC and schools have been very pleased with the level of response to the consultation on education provision in Berkhamsted. To allow sufficient time to fully consider the issues raised,the timetable set out in the consultation document has been amended slightly. The outcome will now be considered by the Education & Skills Panel on 10 July, and the County Council's Cabinet on 16 July. This means that any statutory proposals would be published in mid July and run through the summer holiday period. Subject to responses received, it is envisaged that a final decision will be made at the September meeting of the County Council's Cabinet meeting, as originally proposed, with the timescale for implementation as set out in the consultation.

Update from Ashlyns Governing Body

Ashlyns Governing Body met on the 16th May 2012, to discuss the merits of the two proposed options, regarding the future education provision for Berkhamsted. The two option discussed were:

Option A: To change from the current less common ‘three-tier’ system of first, middle and upper schools to a ‘two tier’ system, by re-organizing the current schools into a mix of infant, junior, primary and secondary schools.

Option B :To maintain the existing ‘three-tier’ system, providing additional first school places by extending the age range and building additional accommodation at Bridgewater Middle School.

Governors considered the views of parents/carers, students and staff and acknowledged there are concerns regarding: transition, admissions, the physical environment, staff movement and training and ensuring current standards are maintained. However, it is felt that all the Headteachers and Governing Bodies are aware of these issues and have developed a strong collaborative working relationship, so strategies can be put in place. Furthermore, Governors agreed that the current funding and National Examination models favours the two-tier system, and whilst the present system has served the town well , this model is not sustainable under new and proposed funding arrangements.

Governors voted unanimously for Option A as their recommendation, and agreed that if HCC and the Governing Bodies of the VA schools also recommend Option A, then we would support a joint statutory notice being issued to that effect.

Jacqueline Webby
Chair of Governors
On behalf of Ashlyns Governing Body

6th February – 27th April 2012

Welcome to our consultation web page. We hope you will find the information on this page useful in helping you to form a view regarding the consultation on the education provision in Berkhamsted. This is an exciting opportunity for our community to play its part in shaping education in our town for future generations.

The Headteachers, Chairs of Governors and the Local Authority have worked together very closely to consider the best long-term sustainable model of high-quality education for children in Berkhamsted; we look forward to hearing your views over the coming weeks and months.

Ashlyns Governors Statement on the Consultation

On 7^th March 2012, the governors of Ashlyns School met to discuss the merits of Options A or B as outlined in the consultation document regarding the future education provision for Berkhamsted. The governors, drawing from prior knowledge, information available to them at the time and taking into account advice from the professionals, agreed that Option A (of introducing the Two-Tier system) is their preference . In their opinion, this would ensure the long term viability of all schools and provide the best sustainable education for the children of Berkhamsted.

Governors encourage parents to submit their views through the response form. It is important that everyone’s opinion is taken into account; this consultation is open to the whole community, not just those connected to schools.

Governors would like to know your views; their final recommendation to Hertfordshire County Council will be made in May, so if you would like to make your views known to the governors please contact them via governors@ashlyns.herts.sch.uk

Proposals for Berkhamsted

Option A
To change from the current less common ‘three-tier’ system of first, middle and upper schools to a ‘two tier’ system, by re-organizing the current schools into a mix of infant, junior, primary and secondary schools.

Option B
To maintain the existing ‘three-tier’ system, providing additional first school places by extending the age range and building additional accommodation at Bridgewater Middle School.

The consultation runs from Monday 6th February – Friday 27th April 2012

How to find out more and express your views?

In addition to the information found on this site please visit http://consult.hertsdirect.org/berkhamsted/ to find out more about the consultation. Responses can be made on-line or via the school in hard copy (response forms are available from the school office.) Governors are also keen to hear your views before they meet on 7th March 2012; please make your views known to them by email via governors@ashlyns.herts.sch.uk.

Drop-in sessions will also be held by HCC in the Berkhamsted Civic Centre; council officers and Headteachers from First Schools, Middle Schools and Ashlyns will be available to help answer your questions and discuss how the different options might affect your children.

Dates for Meetings to be held in the Civic Centre, Berkhamsted

Date	Day	Daytime	Evening
23rd February	Thursday	11.30am – 3.00pm
29th February	Wednesday	11.30am – 3.00pm	6.30 – 9.00pm
12th March	Monday		6.30 – 9.00pm
21st March	Wednesday		6.30 – 9.00pm
26th March	Monday		6.30 – 9.00pm

Ashlyns’ Governing Body

The governing body of Ashlyns will meet on 7th March to discuss both options and consider the views of its students, staff and parental body. A brief statement will be made regarding their discussion and minutes will be published on this page.

In May the Governing Body, having considered the views of its community and the professionals, will make a recommendation to HCC regarding its favoured option. This recommendation will give due regard to the long-term sustainability of the Education provision in Berkhamsted.

If you wish to express your views to the governors please email governors@ashlyns.herts.sch.uk.

Further information

The history of how consultation came about is outlined in the consultation document and there is a series of Frequently Asked Questions on the HCC website http://consult.hertsdirect.org/berkhamsted/. This will be updated, as required, throughout the consultation period. However, I would like to take the opportunity to address some of the key issues regarding a proposed move to ‘two-tier’ and 11-19 education at Ashlyns School. Key to this is the fundamental question, ‘why change?’ After all, the current system has served our local community well and produced many outstanding students. Please follow the link for my ‘rationale for change.’

James Shapland. Headteacher Ashlyns School.

For all young people in Hertfordshire

The schools in our three tier system

Middle Schools
	Bridgewater Middle School
	The Thomas Coram Middle School
First Schools
	Greenway First and Nursery School
	Potten End C of E First School
	St Mary's C of E (VA) First School
	Swing Gate First School and Nursery
	Victoria C of E First School
	Westfield First School