Since finding out less than 2 weeks ago (12th May) that academy status was a possibility, we were then informed on the 23rd May that the Governing Body have decided to actively pursue academy status with REAch2.
But they seem to have missed out a parent consultation.
You may believe that the day there was a couple of governors in the playground was a consultation…
Really? Standing in a playground when parents were in a hurry, when many working parents are not there at all. When most of us with something to say didn’t have time to engage, even if we managed to spot them (which wasn’t easy, and for many the search was unsuccessful)… This does not constitute a consultation.
Don’t be fooled.
You may remember the time they gave us this letter and tried to pass it off as a consultation, this was information not consultation… We were being told for the first time they are discussing the possibility of converting to academy status and the date they will make the decision by.
Facebook is not consultation
In correspondence between a parent and the Chair of the Governing Body Mark Norris, the parent questions the lack of parent consultation
Parent:
“I would ask you to postpone your decision at least until a full consultation with parents has taken place, allowing advance notice of any meetings with parents to be as inclusive as possible, understanding that most of us will need to arrange child care.”
Chair:
“As you state the 2010 Act says we must consult on this decision. It does not however, define the form of consultation. What it does state though is that the governing body may consult before or after the academy order is issued.” […] ” we will be offering meetings and other ways of hearing parents views after half term”
Parent:
Forgive me if I’m wrong, but aren’t you making the decision more than a week prior to that? So how will you represent parents while making the decision if you’re not going to ask us until after you have made it?
Seems odd doesn’t it? That they don’t think a consultation with parents is relevant until a full 15 days after they have decided we are going to convert and the sponsor is REAch2
The question of consultation is an important one
We have seen parents post on social media saying things suggesting parents are wrong to speak out because it’s negative, that we should keep quiet and leave it up to the governors because they know best. One comment on a public page says we “Should support the school, not try to destroy it”? Being concerned about your child’s future and having the courage to speak is not destroying the school, it is actually supporting the school – if you deem the school to be made of children and teachers/staff! What will destroy the school is making parents think we are wrong to have a say, and not giving us time to understand the consequences of this action while our school is quickly and quietly put in the hands of the private sector and out of the hands of the (non-profit making) Local Authority.
WE ARE THE PARENTS! WE SHOULD HAVE A SAY! WE HAVE A RIGHT TO CONSULTATION!
We are parents, we trust our children to the care of the school every day, and we know from the comments by parents and our personal experiences that (although not perfect in every way) the school is safe hands. We know this because our children come home every day and tell us about it, and if you are at the school at pick up time, check out the amount of children excitedly talking to their parents about their day. We know when something is wrong, we know this because we know our children, and in most cases it is resolved quickly and effectively when raised with the teachers/leadership. We know everything, because as parents it is our job to.
If Ofsted based their findings on the opinions of every parent, who inspect the school every single day our children are there, there findings would have been very different to the ones submitted following a few days inspectors spent, watching the children prepare for their Christmas assemblies and experimenting with glitter!
Their are 2 groups that are best placed to decide what is in the best interest of our children and those are the teachers and the parents. The people who spend the most time with the children. Yet we seem to be most excluded from a process we now know began behind our backs 2 years ago.
Lets not forget, on the subject of the teachers and staff, this is their income, their jobs, and while currently fighting to defend their terms and conditions/pensions (which with the public sector as a whole are being attacked) the private sector/academies don’t have a great record when it comes to workers rights. As teachers they can’t tell us how they feel about this, they are not allowed to. It’s hard to imagine what a difficult and insecure time this must be for them.
So if the teachers can’t speak, that just leaves us parents.
We are the only people in a position to speak and best placed to speak on what is best for our children.
So yes, while we acknowledged the decision will be made by the governors that doesn’t mean parents shouldn’t be consulted. We absolutely should be consulted, and if you were in it for the right reasons (the children) wouldn’t the parents and teachers be the first choice for consultation?
It appears not. In correspondence the chair of the governing body states:
” As explained in my letter on the 12th May we are still gathering information from potential sponsors and stakeholders. Many hours have been spent this week and will be spent over the next week before considering the options available and deciding on a proposal that we will share with parents. Any proposal that we decide on will be one that we view as the best possible option in the current circumstances for the children.”
From this we can see that the governing body have decided who they believe are sponsors and stakeholders and it’s not us parents!
Sponsors and stakeholders?
A stakeholder is any individual or group that is affected by, or can influence, decisions or actions taken by your organisation. Some common examples of stakeholders are:
- Employees
- Members of the organisation
- Investors/grant makers/lenders
- Customers/service users and families
- The local community
- Local voluntary organisations
- The local authority
- Beneficiaries
- Regulators
We ARE stakeholders!
So, now we have established that parents should have a say, and have a right to have a say, the next question is how we can ensure this happens…
but first we need educate ourselves on what rights we have, and what we can legally challenge should we need to.
More on the requirements of parent consultation coming soon
SAVE THE GLOBE Primary School 
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