I asked a question at the Council meeting yesterday about the next steps for the proposed “free” school in Birkenshaw. Whenever there is a change to a school or a new school is built, Councils have to consult parents, other schools, councillors, and all school staff. Will that be the case for the proposed “free” school in Birkenshaw? 

The answer was: the Birkenshaw Parents are required to consult. However, the parents are allowed some choice in who they consult!!!  They are advised by the Government to include key issues, such as: vision and ethos; parental demand; site and building proposals; access and local transport issues; and admissions arrangements. They have to consult local schools in the area and local authorities. However, the consultation can be just asking for written comments!! 

Given that the Birkenshaw parents were outspoken in their criticism of the Council’s consultation about BSF I am sure they will want to do better than the bare minimum they have to do by law. When the Council consulted about school changes, a printed booklet giving details of the proposals such as admission arrangements was produced. So far the Birkenshaw parents have only written an extremely brief letter to Headteachers of local schools. The letter does not include any information at all about the parents proposals for the school.

Verdict: Must do better