Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

I would like to use the opportunity I have been given this afternoon to highlight a number of concerns which we feel should be brought to the attention of this Scrutiny Committee.

Firstly Surplus Places.

The LEA has failed to publish revised school roll projections since Nov 04. Our projections for Cramlington show significantly higher pupil numbers than those quoted by the LEA during the Cramlington consultation meetings in December 05. By our latest calculations, there will be just enough capacity to accommodate the projected pupil numbers under the proposed 2 tier plans. I feel it is worthwhile to note that our figures have been compiled using the council’s own model and, for example, our run of the model for 1st schools in 05 turned out to be within 1% of the actual rolls as counted in the Jan 05 school census.

Cramlington parents feel that the councils stance is completely at odds with the governments view on parental choice. Furthermore, the Office of National Statistics have confirmed that births in Northumberland in 2004 were higher than in any year since 1999. This continues an upwards trend which sees birth levels now running at over 10% higher than predicted in the councils last published forecasts nearly 2 years ago. There is strong evidence that people with young families are continuing to move into the county. Given what is at stake it seems highly irresponsible to continue to plan on the basis of outdated information.

Secondly finances.

A new report discussed by county councillors this week says it will cost about £26.2m to reorganise education in Cramlington around one secondary school and seven primary schools. However, from information provided by the council to the Parents for Legal Action group, it has been suggested that it will cost in the region of £6.5m more than that - and that the estimate could be as much as £14m out.

Also, NCC has provided a further document which seems to indicate that the 15 million figure recently suggested for Cramlington High's conversion would just provide the most basic remodelling and extension without any account of electrical work. Clearly the figure being given is inaccurate as the actual plan involves one or two primary new builds.

The parents of Cramlington are deeply concerned about the possible budget deficit and its likely effect on their childrens education. In the event that the estimates given turn out to be significantly different, we fear that NCC will bring the programme to an end and leave Cramlington entirely on its own, outside of the Northumberland education 3 tier system.

Thirdly Special Educational Needs

As a parent of a child with special needs, I particularly appreciate the excellent service currently provided within Northumberland. However, the floor plans for the new primary schools show that the level of mainstream support currently given will be severely compromised by the proposed plans. “Quiet teaching areas” which are essential should the LEA implement its SEN Inclusion policy, will be lost due to schools only being given basic refurbishments. These special children will have their social and educational problems exacerbated by being forced into more confined areas with a higher concentration of pupils.

In times when Headteachers are under such immense pressure to meet government targets, some are loathe to take on these children. It seems grossly unfair that they should be disadvantaged even further by the proposals currently under consideration.

Finally consultation.

During the last stage of consultation, parents were asked for their opinions on option C, which had all 7 primaries, on the recommendation of the LEA, having full FE. The majority agreed with this. However, 3 schools are now being amended to 1.5FE. NCC repeatedly states that parents opinions count. Unfortunately, their actions do not back up this statement.

Also, Cllr Jim Wright has stated in supporting plans to bring a second high school to Blyth that to have 1 school of 2300 pupils “it was not in the best interests of the children”. Why, then, have Cramlington parents concerns about exactly the same thing been ignored? This is a massive contradiction.

During all stages of consultation, parents and interested parties have repeatedly tried and failed to obtain information about the costs of the reorganisation, the nature and quality of the work to buildings and where the money would be coming from to pay for the changes. Being denied this vital information is not a proper consultation.

In summary

I represent over 35,000 Northumbrians who oppose these plans on the basis that we have never been given any evidence that standards will improve. To our knowledge, the LEA have not carried out the independent review of the educational benefits of change, which was required of them before the council voted last April. Until this is provided, the LEA cannot back up the statement that this is Putting the Learner First.

It takes strength and perseverance to implement changes of this size, but it takes REAL courage to stand up and say “STOP”. If any councillor or officer has the slightest inclination that this plan will fail, they must act on it now for the good of the children. I implore you to take notice of your own “risk assessment” which concluded that PLF was a “high risk strategy, very likely to fail”. Please don’t fail our children.