Closing two schools not good for families
AS a parent of two children who are currently at Marcliffe I am deeply concerned by the proposal to close Wisewood and Myers Grove Secondary schools. Apparently education chiefs believe that declining pupil numbers will make both existing schools unviable. Why?
Everybody knows that class sizes of 30 are too big. The national prediction of falling pupil numbers is a real opportunity to reduce class sizes which in itself would do more to improve the education of students than virtually any other measure. If both schools remain open then the predicted decline of 14 per cent would mean class sizes of approximately 25 students rather than the current situation of 30 or more. This would be an extremely positive development for teachers, parents and students. If education chiefs think class sizes of 25 are too small then perhaps they should look at the private schools where students are regularly taught in classes of 20 or fewer.
I suspect the main reason for these plans is to encourage the increasing privatisation of our education system (which politicians up and down the country are completely obsessed with). The running of the new school must be thrown open to competitive tender .
Richard Clark, Hillsborough
FAREWELL Wisewood and welcome mediocrity! I had the pleasure of working as a supply teacher at Wisewood Secondary for a brief period in 2001. Compared with most schools I worked at, it was a beacon of learning. I found the staff diligent, professional and caring; the students respectful, disciplined and eager to learn. At too many other schools, I found it virtually impossible to teach - discipline was all too often absent and verbal and physical threats (from students and even parents) all too frequent. In comparison, Wisewood was the epitome of excellence. If all schools were like Wisewood, I would not have left the teaching profession.
John Beksa, Chesterfield
I HAVE read the full consultation document regarding the proposed merger and new school and it alarmed me. Practicalities aside I chose to send my son to Wisewood, based on its friendly size, location and Ofsted reports. Had the education authority made us aware of this proposal prior to choosing our selections I would most certainly not have included Wisewood.
Should this merger take place, far from my son having a brisk one mile walk to school he will have to either do a five and a half mile round trip on a daily basis or I will incur the additional cost of approximately 350 per academic year in transport costs on bus/tram.
Has it not been considered that the proposed catchment area is huge? Children who would be forced to travel great distances to school would be unable to attend after school activities due to journey times (especially in the dark winter months). Laughably the document intimates they intend to continue to use Wisewood's sports facilities, which will mean commuting between campuses a further mile for physical education!
The proposal states that this is needed due to the non viability of both schools due to predicted drops in numbers in the catchment area. This is manipulation of the statistics to suit the purpose. Many children attend Wisewood and no doubt Myers Grove by choice not catchment and they are not factored into the figures. The proposal for 1050 places in this super-school is to replace the current role which according to Ofsted figures is approx 1660.Wisewood and Myers Grove are both within separate communities who integrate and connect with their school. To merge these ton the Wood Lane site would in essence exclude 50 per cent of this community from participating in what they propose would be an open facility offering lots of different services to the local area. I have seen the agenda for consultation and the schedule is laughable.
The simple fact that only eight weeks after the cabinet review, if they support the proposal they would put the school out to tender, gives me and others the impression that the consultation process is just a paper exercise
WW, Sheffield 6
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If you do not want to receive information on any other products or services, please text the word EXIT at the end of your message..Thanks to NHS staff for their excellent treatment after my heart attack
ON OCTOBER 9, I suffered a heart attack in Sheffield while visiting my girlfriend and son at Manor Oaks Court. An ambulance was there in under three minutes and I was in the Northern General I would say in 12-15 minutes.
From the moment I got in the ambulance to the heart unit and then on to Chesterton ward, every member of staff was very efficient and professional and so very friendly and helpful.
These people were fantastic and I take this oppotunity to thank them.
Billy Jackson, Tyne & Wear.
People in authority must grasp reasons for bad behaviour
I HAVE just seen on the news snippets of a report which says that the youth of Great Britain are the worst behaved in Europe, and of course it once again points to the good old family values. When in doubt blame the parents, for not having family meals. I don't believe that the people in authority have grasped the real problem, or if they have they choose to ignore it.
The youth of today have been systematicly let down by successive governments both Tory and Labour. I left school in 1962, from Shirecliffe Secondary Modern with no qualifications, I went there having failed my eleven plus. But I had been taught how to read and write and given a good grounding in maths.
I had no idea what I wanted to do as a career, consequently I had 28 jobs in my first year, "The Star" advertised jobs every day back then.
This trend carried on for some time until I found coal ming, this was the job I would have been happy to stay in until I retired. It allowed me to provide for my four children, my could attend college for free and gain qualifications that have stood her in good stead ever since.
Then Thatcher came along and smashed it all up, steel, coal, ship building and all the other heavy industries, along with millions of jobs. This Labour government has done nothing to reverse the trend.
The point I am making is that it is convenient for those in charge of the country to make out that these are just work shy yobs. They have never had the oppotunity to prove any different. How many of you of my generation left school with no qualifications, but were able to get good jobs in industry.
I am not making excuses for the muggers and joy riders, but just ask yourself this when did it start? it started when the majority of industry dissapeared.
David Smith, Victoria Street, Dinnington.
Denying sick folk medication wrong
HOW is it possible for this shameful government to deny medication to critically ill patients on the grounds of costs when our greedy MPs are feeding like pigs at a trough, taking 87 million a year in expenses from the public purse!
Is there not one MP with the moral backbone to stand up for the rights of these patients in a so called caring society?
T Reaney, Stonley Close, Charnock
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If you do not want to receive information on any other products or services, please text the word EXIT at the end of your message..No motion in call on mayoral system
THE agenda for the meeting of Doncaster Council to be held on November 6 has no Notice of Motion by members calling for a referendum to seek a borough-wide Doncastrian's opinion for a legal review of the elected mayoral system in Doncaster.
At the meeting of the council on Septembrer 11, 2006, Mayor Martin Winter responded to three public questions by saying "if a motion is proposed and seconded by councillors to commence such a consultation it would appear on the agenda!"
This response was publicised at the council meeting held on October 9 and in view of the apparent majority member concern about this form of local administration, and the many public letters and reports in local newspapers, I would have thought that any two of the 63 council members would have followed the mayor's guidance and proposed and seconded such a motion.
What has happened to the opposition of the Labour Party's (29) relative majority by the Community Group (5), Conservative (9), Independent (9) and Liberal Democrat (11) members?
Mr Maurice Field, Doncaster Central Conservative Association.
Cooling towers are a great landmark
'I HAVE lived in Sheffield all my life (30 years) and feel that the cooling towers are a land mark for the city. Whenever we travelled back from holidays as a child the sight of the towers was and still is a comforting sign that I am home. I believe in progress and regeneration but not at the cost of something like this, especially when there are so many ideas for making them a fun and exciting art feature.
Can someone let me know where I can sign the on-line petition?
Lindsey
THE Cooling Towers have been a special landmark for me since the late 70s - they have always given me the feeling of 'arriving home'.
Elaine Lonsdale, Golcar Huddersfield
No bank or society to pay in pension
I HAVE just read about the likelihood of pensions being paid into banks. This is hilarious as far as Walkley is concerned; we don't even have either a bank or a building society.
Sheila M Farrand, Fulton Road, Sheffield S6.
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