So Now We Know Part 2

So Now We Know Part 2
 
This week I could tell you about “Raising Achievement”, our excellent staff training day courtesy of the Teaching and Learning Group and The Student Council (brilliantly).
 
I could fill a paragraph or two about the year 11 case conference and how well some of them are doing and how committed the staff are to gaining historic GCSE results this year.
 
Or what about some quite barmy plans for Comic Relief Day or the London double decker bus which is going to whisk off some reward winners for a celebration meal in Newcastle?
 
All great things, but, as you’ll see on our home page, we’ve had some dramatic news.
 
We’ve been working on plans for  Consett Academy for several years now, so it does seem very last minute to bring in a new sponsor from outside. Obviously, we knew that might happen when the University of Durham withdrew its lead sponsorship, but I for one never predicted that the whole of the Durham Excellence in Education Partnership (aka DEEP ) would be kicked into touch.
 
This means that we’re in a completely new situation and will have to adjust to working with a new set of partners.
 
 And it might be really good.
 
Like Moorside, New College has transformed itself to outstanding status and we’ve certainly noticed that increasing numbers of our students are choosing it for A levels and other courses. Everyone involved seems to agree that the academy should bring back top quality sixth form provision to a Consett location and New College should be able to make that a reality.
 
Whatever happens, I can assure you that my staff and I will endeavour to make the project work and to collaborate fully with CCSC, New College and the county council. We’ll certainly do our level best to protect the children’s interests during the rapid changes which are surely on their way.
 
But one last thing.
 
You might know that we at Moorside proposed a local solution to the issue of lead sponsorship. We suggested that an association be formed entitled the Consett Parents Educational Collaborative. CPEC would have been an alliance of interested parties in Consett and would have  played a decisive role in leading the amalgamation of both secondary schools and determining the ethos and curriculum of the new academy.
 
Just in case you were wondering, we always knew that it was a long shot. For one thing, time was against us and it was obvious that the government would prefer a quick and tried and tested solution. After all, New College is already sponsoring the academy in Stanley.
 
Anyway, even though I’m disappointed that the idea won’t come to fruition, I don’t feel that our time and efforts have been wasted. I was amazed at the speed and enthusiasm of the widespread support our idea attracted. I learnt that there is huge local confidence in Consett educators (not just teachers, but governors and school based staff too) and that the community would have entrusted us to deliver the 21st century school it wants.
 
So if you played your part, many thanks to you.
 
The idea is not dead; it’s only sleeping. Perhaps we’ll be able to wake it up one day.