NEAG

[Lynn Roxburgh]

Frequently Asked Questions
Education and learning
Schools and colleges

Two tier School system... is the education department still rolling out plans on this issue? When would the start of programme be for the likes of Ashington and Morpeth be. with regards to the likely hood of demolishing some schools and rebuild new ones. it seems a bit unfair that the likes of some areas are getting new schools, while other areas are in the old three tier system. Can you give a estimate or is the two tier just a waste of tax payers money after all. Technically a 2 and three tier won’t work arm in arm i.e.: harmony

1) In April 2005, the County Council made the policy decision to consult with individual school partnerships on school reorganisation proposals using the preferred framework of a system of primary and secondary education, reflecting the national government policy as outlined in the National Curriculum and its Key Stages, with flexibility to meet geographic and demographic local circumstances.

To date, this policy remains in place and since 2005, three school partnerships (Cramlington, Blyth and Hirst) have had reorganisation proposals approved and implemented.

However, before any reorganisation proposals may be brought forward for consultation, the Council must have the capital monies in place that will enable the replacement or refurbishment of school buildings to be undertaken as part of the reorganisation proposals. As a result of the current economic climate, the County Council itself does not have the required capital monies in place to bring forward any further reorganisation proposals at this time. However, the Council is addressing this situation by

a)continuously exploring other options that could attract capital monies for schools to Northumberland

b) supporting schools to find alternative ways of reducing the impact of the inherent weaknesses within the three-tier system, e.g. formation of trust schools and federations.

2) As explained in 1) above, the County Council has no capital available to undertake any further consultation on school reorganisations at this point in time. Therefore, we are unable to specify when any proposals on the reorganisation of Ashington and Morpeth Partnerships might be brought forward.

3) We appreciate that it seems unfair that some school partnerships are receiving new and refurbished buildings as a result of reorganisation. The County Council shares this frustration and is working hard to find alternative routes through which additional funding might be obtained. However, as outlined earlier, the policy of the Council to continue with its programme to transform schools in the county remains in place and we are confident that the investment that has been made so far in schools in the county through reorganisation is already providing our young people with increased opportunities that may otherwise have not been available.
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Lynn Roxburgh

[Jane Winter]

As ever - they have no money. And the Lib Dems were originally in favour of keeping 3 tier schooling which was how they managed to absorb K3 back in 2004.