Transforming Our Primary Schools (TOPS)
Issues for parents
I am worried that my child’s school may close, and I am thinking about changing schools now.
Until all of the legal processes are complete it is impossible to say which schools will be closing as part of this process, and when this will happen.
It is possible that schools earmarked for closure will not actually be closed for several years, and that to move pupils in advance of this will disrupt their education unnecessarily and could take them away from friends at school.
Should I move my child once I know that his/her school will close?
Moving schools, particularly during the course of a school year, inevitably causes some disruption to your child’s education. It would also break up groups of friends. So any decisions you make about this would need to be thoroughly considered.
If you want to discuss it further, talk to the headteacher of your current school.
Aren’t small schools nicer for young children?
In South Tyneside, and all over the country, larger schools do very well in terms of children’s learning.
They have more staff – not just teachers but other support staff – and are usually able to organise classes so that children are taught with others their own age, rather than being mixed in with younger ones.
The governors find it easier to manage the budget, and so they can invest better in children's education. Children still have their own classroom and their own teacher.
What about travelling to the new school? The new building may not be on a bus route, or there may be busy main roads for children to cross.
Some pupils would need to make new journeys to school and some pupils may have to travel further.
However, it is expected that this will be within a limit of two miles and therefore not eligible for free home to school transport.
Road safety measures would be implemented to encourage safe routes to school in accordance with a school travel plan.
Will we all get a choice of where we want our child to go?
South Tyneside has a good record of meeting parents' preferences for primary school places - in 2007 98.7% of first preferences were allocated a place at their chosen school.
Parents have a right to express a preference in relation to school admissions, and the Local Authority (as Admission Authority for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools) will endeavour to offer places in accordance with such preferences.
Will my child's disability limit his choice or will any school I choose be adapted?
Where pupils have special needs that may require capital or other works to ensure they can access mainstream education, this would be assessed alongside health and other professionals to ensure that appropriate measures are taken.
Will there be enough places for the children?
We have a legal duty to provide enough places, so of course we will be careful to make sure there are enough.
