OPTIONS FOR SCHOOL ORGANISATION

The full KPMG report is available by following the link at www.iwight.com (section 7.6 onwards outlines their options and arguments). The summary report is at:

www.iwight.com/council/committees/mod-education/31-1-02/agenda.htm

Each option will need to be considered in the light of the background factors (Paragraph 4 of the main report and Appendix 2) ie how do the options measure up against questions of standards, size and finance?

These are only the emerging factors. There are, of course, enduring questions: proximity of schools to centres of population, with the attendant questions of travelling distances and the age of pupils travelling; what parents want from schools in addition to what is measured by standardised tests.

There are five main options (Paragraph 17(i) of the report) that may be a starting point for consultation:

Paragraph 17 of the report suggests 5 different models:

(i) The existing system of Primary (5-9), Middle (9-13); High (13-18) is well known and well understood. It is, of course, perfectly possible to be in favour of the system without necessarily believing that the current number and distribution of schools is correct.

(ii) The factors in favour and against a system of 5-11 Primary Schools followed by 11-16 Secondary Schools and a Sixth Form or Tertiary College for all post-16 students are given in the full KPMG report (follow the link from iwight.com). This is the system that operates throughout most of Hampshire.

(iii) If the model above were to be a preferred option it would fit areas that are urban or suburban quite easily but areas such as the West Wight and Ventnor could be provided with a variation that would allow less travel at the age of 11. This could be provided by having one management structure for a school catering for 7 to 16 year olds. The schools would be zoned for different age groups.

Some of the existing Primary Schools might be the focus for pre-school to 7 years education together with community facilities and multi-agency provision.

(iv) The pros and cons behind the suggestion for an additional year in the current Middle Schools with an associated closure of 1 High School is given in the KPMG report (follow the link at iwight.com).

(v) Similarly, the arrangements for and against a 5-11 Primary system followed by 11-18 Secondaries is given in the KPMG report (follow the link from iwight.com).

REMINDER : The full report is very long. Section 7.6 onwards deals with options and conclusions.

The KPMG report was written in 2001 and presented in January 2002. Its recommendations need to be read in conjunction with the emerging factors that are listed in paragraph 4 of the report and at Appendix 2. This is particularly important because the provision of capital through Building Schools for the Future was not in existence at the time of the writing of the KPMG report.