'Don't penalise us' say school's staff (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

'Don't penalise us' say school's staff

Coun Garry PerkinsFRESHBROOK Primary School staff have hit out at a concession given to their neighbouring school.

Last week the Advertiser reported that Swindon Council had changed its school closure plans in the light of vocal opposition from Windmill Hill Primary.

Instead of closing both schools and opening one new one the council now plans to close Freshbrook and transfer Windmill on to the Freshbrook site meaning the Windmill staff and governing body would stay in place. But the teachers and other staff at Freshbrook feel they have been penalised for accepting the council's argument that school closures are needed.

"Is this fair?" the staff wrote in a letter to Coun Garry Perkins (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms), cabinet member for children's services.

"In truth, Freshbrook School too would like to remain separate but accept that the reality of surplus places in our area exists and that the most sensible solution is to close both schools and create a new one.

"Do we not also deserve to 'have our jobs guaranteed'?"

The letter, which is from all of the teaching and non-teaching staff at the school except the headteacher, goes on to say it expected the consultation process to be fair and a decision reached that would be best for the area as a whole.

"Freshbrook appear however to have been penalised by their decision to abide by this advice and have tried to maintain an interested stance which would not compromise the process," it reads.

"This has not always proved easy as the professionalism and dedication of the staff at the school has, on occasions, been called into question.

"There is no denying that Fresh-brook has had a troubled history which resulted in their failing an Ofsted inspection in 2003 but with a great deal of sustained effort the school has been turned around."

The council says it has to take action because of spare places at West Swindon schools and is set to go out to consultation on the plans after a cabinet meeting tomorrow.

Coun Perkins, pictured, stressed that nothing had yet been decided and said he was setting up a meeting with the school staff and governors this week.

"This is not a done deal. There is still the consultation. If Freshbrook come back and argue their corner we will take that on board."

He added he hoped there would be jobs for most of the teachers from both schools in the new school.

"I take on board exactly what they say," he said. "I appreciate all the effort they have put in to turn their school around and their cooperation in the reorganisation process.

Isabel Field