Heads back plan for schools
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
01/07/2008
Ambitious plans for a £120million transformation of the borough’s secondary schools have been published by Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
The proposals follow a major consultation in which parents said they want more chance to get their children into their top-choice schools and they want sixth forms in all borough schools.
Of the 1,000 responses submitted on the plan, the majority gave their backing to council proposals to extend parents’ choice, including:
- Expanding Lady Margaret and Sacred Heart schools,
- New sixth form provision at secondary schools across the borough,
- Bringing together Henry Compton and Fulham Cross under one headteacher,
- Extending Queensmill School to take secondary pupils with severe autism,
- Developing Hurlingham & Chelsea as a foundation school.
Academic standards were the most important factor behind parents’ school choice, along with ethos and discipline.
Fulham resident Susan Wickes, who has children at Sulivan Primary, Lady Margaret and Graveney schools, said: “I think the options are innovative and show a determination to make things better. I am very impressed with the proposals. My concerns are regarding space for extension and the difficulty maintaining the advantages of a small school.”
And Della Rozycka, a Shepherds Bush resident whose children attend Pope John Primary, Sacred Heart High, Cardinal Vaughan and Jack Tizard schools, said: “I am definitely in favour of having sixth forms in all schools.
“I also agree with plans to extend Queensmill School. The school could become a flagship school for autistic management and teaching.”
Explaining the thinking behind the plans, Councillor Antony Lillis, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Our proposals are all about extending choice for parents and their children and making sure they feel increasingly confident in choosing local schools. These proposals will build on the success we have already achieved, but make changes which reflect what parents have said they want. Sixty two per cent of local children go to secondary schools outside the borough or into private education. We want more parents to choose local schools.”
A large number of comments were about retaining single sex education, especially for girls. Many of the comments from children were about continuing to go to the same school as friends and many adults saw local schools for local children as important. There were strong views in favour of faith schools, as well as many comments from respondents who were concerned about admissions policies.
The proposals underpin the council’s submission to the Government’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme which offers the council a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend over £120m developing secondary schools.
Next steps for Lady Margaret and Sacred Heart schools
Both Lady Margaret and Sacred Heart schools will be expanded by one class per year, a 30 per cent expansion. Currently both schools are heavily oversubscribed.
Lady Margaret currently has 90 places in Year 7, but 350 pupils put it as their first preference. Sacred Heart has 160 places in Year 7, but 314 pupils put it as their first preference.
Headteacher of Lady Margaret School, Sally Whyte, welcomes the expansion proposals, saying: “BSF funding will give us much-needed facilities for drama and sport, allowing us to provide a new curriculum and help us achieve our desire for excellence.”
Next steps for Henry Compton and Fulham Cross schools
The council consulted on two options for Henry Compton and Fulham Cross. Option one was for Henry Compton and Fulham Cross to become one school, with Hurlingham and Chelsea being turned into an academy or trust school, with a specialism in language. Option two suggested that the three schools come together in one collegiate school. The majority favoured option one.
Now, Henry Compton and Fulham Cross have made a commitment to work together, with Roehampton University, to create a single school. It would have one head and governing body, but retain single sex classes and two separate sites.
Bernie Peploe, interim headteacher at Fulham Cross Girls’ school, says: “This would fully maintain single sex teaching up to the end of key stage three on both sites. There would be opportunities for an expanded curriculum at key stage four through shared modules. However, where students and parents preferred completely single sex provision this would be possible through key stage four, but with a restricted curriculum.”
Comments from a spokesman from the National Union of Teachers included: “We believe the document actually underestimates the gains which collaboration could bring. This could be a tremendous boost to lifting up the attainment and educational experience of disadvantaged, struggling and needy students.”
And Dinesh Ramjee, headteacher at Henry Compton, said: “I think this is an exciting proposal now that the council has backed the two-site proposal. We are very keen to work closely with William Morris College so the sixth form provision is complementary rather than in direct competition. The refurbishment of the school will provide better facilities and modern teaching space.”
Next steps for Hurlingham & Chelsea
Many respondents expressed concerns about a specialism related to the French language at Hurlingham & Chelsea.
Some views seemed to be based on the erroneous assumption that the school was to be handed over to the French government and include fee-paying pupils. However, there was some support for bilingual French and English secondary education, and wider support for an international focus with the potential for bilingual provision in a variety of languages. Hurlingham & Chelsea’s response included a statement that there is an exciting opportunity of developing a wider model of excellence in education for multilingual learners.
Headteacher Phil Cross responded by saying: “I welcome the prospect of working with the council and its officers to further raise standards.”
The school has responded positively to moving towards foundation status. The council also wants to incorporate a more ambitious trust model at the school. Meanwhile, the council will continue to explore the possibility of a French-English bilingual curriculum starting at primary age and drawing lessons from the successful venture pioneered by the Wicks school in Wandsworth.
Next steps for sixth forms
Many secondary schools in the borough will be developing new sixth forms, including Phoenix, Sacred Heart and the combined Henry Compton/Fulham Cross Girls’ school, while Lady Margaret will be expanding its existing sixth form.
Next steps for Queensmill school
The council has heard strong support for adding secondary places at Queensmill school, building on the support the school has from parents at the primary level. An all-through school would offer Queensmill pupils a familiar environment throughout their schooling. This proposal will be included in a consultation on special education in September.
