Option of bilingual education forms part of 21st Century vision for schools

by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
21/04/2008

Building Schools for the Future consultation begins

NEW schools fit for 21st century learning and the expansion of over-subscribed schools with new sixth forms are part of a £120 million improvement plan for secondary education across the borough. 

The Council today launches a major consultation on the long-term future of secondary school education in the year 2012 and beyond. 

The vision and options include a proposal for a new language academy or trust in Fulham with the aim of delivering bi-lingual teaching. 

Oversubscribed schools such as Sacred Heart and Lady Margaret would also be expanded to take in extra pupils, with new or expanded sixth forms. The proposals form part of the Government-funded Building Schools for the Future programme.

"In becoming a borough of opportunity for all we need to give our children the best start in life and that means offering the very best state education," said Leader of the Council, Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh. "We look forward to seeking the views of parents, pupils, staff and governors on a truly exciting vision that will deliver educational excellence."

Cllr Greenhalgh added: "The recent GCSE results show just how much our schools have improved and we are proud of that improvement. It’s thanks to the hard work of pupils and staff alike. 

"However, far too many parents send their children out of the borough or into private education. We are the third highest net exporter of children in London after Lewisham and K&C both of which have a shortage of secondary school places whereas we have a large number of surplus places. 

"This consultation process is all about creating a plan that will excite local parents and pupils alike."

For Fulham’s community schools, parents are asked their views on two possible options:

Option one, based on the recommendation of the Fulham Schools Commission – an independent panel of education experts – would see Hurlingham & Chelsea turned into a language academy or trust with the long-term option to offer bi-lingual education in partnership with the French government. 

The school, with the addition of a sixth form, would provide all-through schooling (from age 3 to 19) for at least one form of entry for 3-11 year olds (30 children per year) from 2010. These children would benefit from bi-lingual education right from the start by attending school on a separate site in Clancarty Road. The secondary department of the new Hurlingham and Chelsea would provide 4-5 forms of entry for 11-19 year olds (up to 150 children per year) and 2 of these forms would be offered bi-lingual secondary education.

Under this option Henry Compton and Fulham Cross would be brought together to form one school spread across two sites. The school would:

• Be big enough to have a sixth form
• Still offer single sex education
• Bring more strength and depth to the curriculum
• Be big enough to attract and retain the best staff
• Offer more and better choice in sport, art, drama and dance  

Option two would create one Collegiate School, allowing pupils at all three schools to have access to specialised subjects with the provision of a sixth form. It would retain the feel of a small school with expertise spread across the three sites. Hurlingham & Chelsea would still offer bi-lingual teaching within this model.

The ‘Collegiate School’ could be achieved by either having a Federation of the three schools with separate governing bodies and headteachers or by providing one single Trust or Academy with a single Governing body and single management structure. 

Other proposals in the consultation include:

• Adding sixth forms to Phoenix High School, Sacred Heart High School and expanding the sixth form at Lady Margaret School. A new sixth form is already planned at Burlington Danes Academy from 2010 and with a new Academy at Stamford House from 2011; this would offer 420 mixed post-16 places.
• Develop the 14-19 curriculum with a vocational-based to equip pupils with the skills and training to succeed in a changing employment landscape. This will be done in partnership with William Morris Sixth Form and Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College.
• Improve special education by providing a new school building for Queensmill and extending the current age range of 3-11 into secondary. We also want to add a hydrotherapy pool at Jack Tizard School, which helps pupils, aged 3-19 with severe learning difficulties.   

Cllr Antony Lillis, Cabinet Member for Community and Children's Services. said: "In reality we have been speaking to parents, teachers, headteachers and governors for nine months on the future of secondary education. Now people are getting a big opportunity to influence the future with the vision laid out.

"However, the status quo is not an option. In order to secure £120 million of funding through Building Schools for the Future – which is a one-in-a-lifetime chance for schools in H&F – we are required to be bold and ambitious."

During the six week consultation, which closes on June 2, the Council will be running a series of exhibitions and roadshows across the borough. Primary school pupils are also being asked their views at special events.

Consultation documents are being distributed to every primary and secondary school parent while the paper is also available at libraries and on-line at the council’s website.

People are being asked to respond with their views in a questionnaire. A decision on the final vision will be taken on 14 July. Any building work would not start until 2011 with completion set for 2013.

The first roadshow, outlining the proposals, will be held at Hammersmith Town Hall in King Street on Wednesday 30 April from 2-8pm. 

The second is at Fulham Town Hall in Fulham Broadway on Tuesday 13 May from 12-7pm. People are able to drop by at any time within those two time slots.

A travelling exhibition and drop-in centres are also being held at:

• Askew Library on 8 May from 10am-1pm;
• Shepherds Bush Library on 10 May from 2-5pm;
• Hammersmith Library on 11 May from 2-5pm;
• Sands End Library on 15 May from 10am-1pm;
• Barons Court Library on 17 May from 2-5pm; and
• Fulham Library on 18 May from 2-5pm. 

The roadshow will also visit primary schools during the six-week period. Details on our website. 

-Ends.-

Notes for editors:

» Visit the Building Schools for the Future consultation web page