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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