Partnership plan to beat falling rolls
Jan 14 2008 by Brian Daniel, The Journal
A HIGH school is hoping to join with two nearby schools to ease the problems caused by falling pupil numbers.
The number of school-age children in the Amble area of Northumberland is falling, with the pupils going into each year of Coquet High School likely to fall from the 150-160 it has known in recent years to nearer 110 to 130 in the near future.
This will affect the size of the school, with an anticipated roll falling from 600 to 500 in six years time.
Now the school’s governors have agreed to look at alternative structures for education in the Coquet partnership area, rather than simply accept significant falls in roll numbers.
The governors have decided to make a formal approach to the governors of Amble and Druridge Bay middle schools to consider working closely together with one governing body for the three schools.
It is hoped the partnership will provide more opportunities for local children and offer greater flexibility with staffing and curriculum delivery across the three schools.
The governors will also formally approach their counterparts at local first schools to consider ways of working more closely together to enable the first school curriculum and teaching and learning to be co-ordinated across the partnership.
Discussions will also be held with Northumberland County Council, the Learning and Skills Council, local schools and Northumberland College to look at how best to deliver post-16 education for young people.
The county council has praised the school’s initiative.
Trevor Doughty, executive director of children’s services, said: “Throughout Northumberland many schools are facing falling rolls. By actively working with neighbouring schools, pupils benefit from the sharing of resources and expertise.
“We commend the governors at Coquet High School for taking this positive first step to enhance partnership working.”
Coquet headteacher Paul Allen said: “I am pleased that governors have decided to enter into these discussions now. By actively planning for changing circumstances, we can ensure that Coquet High School will continue to provide a very good education for local young people, now and in the years to come.”
Chairman of governors Bill Dodd said: “The governing body has always faced changing circumstances with a positive attitude. By planning ahead and acting in good time, the school will be in a strong position to meet these latest challenges.”
Northumberland is in the middle of a change from the three-tier structure of first, middle and high to a two-tier set-up of primaries and secondaries.
One of the reasons given for the change is the fall in pupil numbers, which has led to surplus places in a number of schools.
