8/14/2019 Fourth Newsletter

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G L A S S(Gillas Lane Action to Support School)

Newsletter - Issue No. 4

OBJECTION FORMS

Just as the council provided response forms in theirconsultation exercise, GLASS have designed anOBJECTION FORM for people to fill in if they want to.

These will be distributed in and around the Gillas Lanearea shortly to help people put their views across.

If you don’t have much time or just want to register yourobjection then you can complete one of these formseasily by ticking a few boxes and providing your signatureand address. If you put your address on then the councilhave to acknowledge receipt of your objection in writing.This was one of the failings of the council response formsas they had nowhere to put your address and thereforedid not have to acknowledge receipt of your views. Let’sdo things properly.

It also has an area for your comments and an opportunityto show your support for Option 3 (retaining the school by

reducing the Published Admission Number andremodelling the school in line with net capacity)

These forms can be dropped into both Gillas Lane andBernard Gilpin schools or at Thandi’s local shop forcollection by GLASS who will then forward them on to thecouncil at no expense to you.

Please get behind this campaign and show them whyGillas Lane school should not be closed.

Latest NewsThe statutory notices for closing Gillas Lane Schoolhave been received today - 7 May 2009. This has beenconfirmed by the Head Teacher.

We will have 6 weeks from the publication date tomake our views known (again) and it is imperative thatas many people as possible respond to this notice.

GLASS will be distributing objection forms throughoutthe Gillas Lane area to make it easier for you to makeyour views known.

Parents should avoid making any major decisionsabout their child’s education at this stage. We needto remain positive. The campaign continues.

LETTERS OF OBJECTION

If, like me, you feel so angry that you want to say agreat deal about this proposal, then why not write aletter of objection.

They sometimes carry a little more weight and you canargue your points better when you put it in your ownwords. They also should be acknowledged by thecouncil in writing so that you know they have receivedyour letter.

GLASS will be preparing a large written response onbehalf of the parents and carers of Gillas Lane Primaryschool.

Rather than being completely negative in the

representation period, we will be offering analternative strategy based around Option 3 that wethink is viable and will still achieve the requiredreduction of surplus places.

We will show them that there is a practical, positivealternative as well as highlighting the council’s failingsin the consultation process.

8/14/2019 Fourth Newsletter

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G L A S S(Gillas Lane Action to Support School)

Newsletter - Issue No. 4

THIS IS NOT A SPRINT BUT A MARATHON. IT REQUIRES PATIENCE, STAMINA AND RESOLVE.SAVE GILLAS LANE SCHOOL!

EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION?

One of our biggest gripes is that education factors have notfigured in any of the options appraisals. Where is theconsideration of the effect on the pupils educationally andemotionally?

In our view the best option is Option 3 where they remainat Gillas Lane in a school where they feel safe and happy

But it is interesting to note that Sunderland City Councilchose the least favourable option - Option 1 - for the pupilsand children at Gillas Lane. They are being moved to

someone else’s school and having to fit in there with all thestress and difficulty that involves. And without most of thestaff and teachers they are familiar with.

However, there was another option that was less traumaticfor the pupils - Option 2. At least with this option everyonewould be starting from scratch. Granted, the school wouldbe based on the Bernard Gilpin site but a new school meansa new name and an opportunity for all Gillas Lane teachersand staff to have a fair chance of a job at the new school.A new start for everyone.

This would be our second choice but will it be entertained

by Sunderland City Council? Or is the council afraid of thespectre of competition?

COMPLAINTS

In view of Sunderland City Council’s refusal to take severalformal complaints seriously, these are being passed on tothe Local Government Ombudsman for investigation.

We have exhausted all avenues in trying to get some redressagainst these complaints about the consultation anddecision making processes that we have no alternative.

All we want is a fair and objective investigation into thewhole consultation process which has been badly flawedfrom day one.

We will keep you updated on what happens to thecomplaints.

STATUTORY GUIDANCE ON SCHOOL CLOSURE

GLASS believes that Sunderland City Council has notcomplied with the statutory guidance on school clo-sures and we have informed the Department of 

Children, Schools and Families and the SchoolsCommissioner.

We have sent our detailed analysis of where webelieve Sunderland City Council has failed and re-quested that they intervene in whatever way theycan.

If the council is breaking the law then it cannot beallowed to get away with it. The council seems to beacting like the school bully and not taking on boardour legitimate wishes, views and concerns.

The full analysis can be found on the web site.