Sevenoaks Action for

Community Education

(ACE)Likes & Dislikes

• In January and February 2012 we received responses to a simple Likes, Dislikes and Wants survey, where residents were asked to state their 3 most important views of secondary school provision for Sevenoaks in these three different categories.

• Some did this by completing a short paper form which was printed in the Chronicle and available at the Leisure Centre and the Lodge Coffee Shop at the Stag. Others registered your thoughts online via an electronic survey.

• As an “open ended” piece of data collection where residents could state, in free format, what you thought about these aspects, it was not particularly scientific, but it has highlighted some perceptions of issues which we will investigate more thoroughly.

Sevenoaks Action for

Community Education

(ACE)Analysis Methods

In order to analyse the responses to the Likes and Dislikes responses have been categorised as either • Positive• Negative

The absence of a like = a negativeThe absence of a dislike = a positiveDue to the wording of responses, many likes were actually dislikes hence a greater proportion of negative responses overall

Sevenoaks Action for

Community Education

(ACE)

Views on Secondary School Provision for Sevenoaks

75%25%

Survey Responses

NegativePositive

Sevenoaks Action for

Community Education

(ACE)Sub Analysis

Responses have been further categorised as relating to:• System – ie the educational system in which we

operate – the existence of faith schools, private schools, grammar schools, the application process etc

• Provision – ie the quality, nature and proximity of schools available within that system

• Population – comments relating to the people within the area

• Knole – comments referencing Knole Academy or the schools it has replaced.

Sevenoaks Action for

Community Education

(ACE)

Positive ResponsesSub-Analysis

75%

15%

7%3%0%

Positive Responses

NegativeProvisionKnoleSystemPopulation

Sevenoaks Action for

Community Education

(ACE)

PositivesMost frequent views

1. No response (Dislike)2. Knole easy to get to3. Grammar Schools4. High quality/good in the wider

area5. There are options= Knole Academy7. Private Schools (if you can

afford)8. Investment in facilities at

Knole

9. Convenient travel services= Sevenoaks School= Non-selective option= Co-educational= Future potential of Knole14.Part of local community15.Application process= IB / International outlook

Sevenoaks Action for

Community Education

(ACE)

Negative ResponsesSub-Analysis

25%

62%

6%6%

Negative Responses

PositiveProvisionKnoleSystem

Sevenoaks Action for

Community Education

(ACE)

NegativesMost frequent views

1. No response (Likes)2. No local grammar3. Only one option/lack of choice4. “Nothing to like”5. Good schools are too far away6. Knole Academy-not good

enough7. Poor quality / academic levels= Lack of Christian / faith schools9. Selection on ability10.Super-selective grammars= No guarantee of place in

Ton/T.Wells schools

12. Insufficient local capacity= 11+ preparation inequality14.Too many private schools= Transport congestion/ cost= Lack of single sex education= No track record at Knole18.Knole curriculum= Lack of options for boys= Too many out of area students= No Co-ed Grammar= Insufficient local take up of

Knole= Good local schools are fee

paying

Sevenoaks Action for

Community Education

(ACE)

Views expressed mentioningKnole Academy

47%

53%

Survey Responses

NegativePositive

Sevenoaks Action for

Community Education

(ACE)

What residents want to happen

• The wants have been categorised by theme. Whilst this hides some of the ‘detail’ of the ideas it gives a view of the common themes

• All wants have been listed, in order of most frequent responses

Sevenoaks Action for

Community Education

(ACE)

WantsMost frequent first

1. Grammar Annexe2. No response3. Higher academic

achievement/behaviour4. Christian Free School Proposal/

Faith school5. Grammar Annexe - Mixed6. Choice of selective & non-

selective7. Comprehensive option8. Grammar Annexe - Single Sex9. Choice of non-selective

schools10.Better/safer/cheaper transport

11.Co-educational options= Grammar stream / non-

selective grammar school13.Maximum journey of 20

minutes14.Values based, inclusive

education, relevant focus= Single sex schools16.Sufficient secular capacity= Admission based on geography= Knole to be outstanding/better19.Another secondary school= Partnership between local

schools

Sevenoaks Action for

Community Education

(ACE)

Wants cont..Most frequent first

21.More local places= A school to be proud of= More capacity= Outstanding school(s)25.Community engagement= Any changes to benefit town &

children= Located close to centre= More funding= Church attendance not used

for admission= Greater community service

= Better extra-curricular activities/breadth of curriculum

= No (more) grammar schools= Smaller non-selective school= No faith school= Good teaching/ discipline/

curriculum= Fairer selection system= Greater engagement from

Knole= Excellent provision for all= Provision for high achievers

(late developers)

Sevenoaks Action for

Community Education

(ACE)

Wants cont..Most frequent first

38.Additional non religious school= Single sex and co-ed options= Road safety concerns over

proposed options= More support for

apprenticeships= Equality of funding per pupil

across schools= Dedicated provision for

learning disabilities= Focus on sport= International/global focus= School within walking distance

= Interviews as part of admissions

= Match Tonbridge provision= Concern over out of area

applications (to new provision)= Excellent provision for all= Disbanding of catchment

grammar schools= Larger schools= Either of the proposed options= Private schools with moderate

fees