Admission fears raised over possible changes at Bourne Grammar School
BOURNE children may face tougher competition for places at the town grammar school if it changes its status, say councillors.
Bourne Grammar School is hoping to become a foundation school, which would give it more independence, including total control over admissions.
Foundation status would also give the school's governing body formal ownership of the school's land and buildings, it would be the direct employer of the school's staff and would become the admissions authority.
At a town council meeting on Tuesday, councillors voiced their concerns that the 994-pupil school, in South Road, could change its admissions policy, making it more open to children from a wider area and increasing competition for places.
The school, which currently comes under the control of Lincolnshire County Council, says changes to the admissions policy would be possible if it won foundation status, but said these would happen only in the best interests of the school and community and only after wide consultation.
Coun John Smith, a governor at the school, told the meeting the schooldecided to seek foundation status earlier this year.
He said: "The admissions policy could affect the children of Bourne ifthe school wants to raise its entry level as the school is over-subscribed. It could give the opportunity for a wider area to get in."
Mayor Trevor Holmes said it was worrying that a change in the admissions policy could affect children in the town.
After the meeting, Coun Shirley Cliffe said she was concerned the school could place less emphasis on children being local. "Bourne children should be a priority to be at that school," she said. "This has got to be stopped."
To get into the school, prospective pupils have to sit the 11-plus exam. There are 150 places available. If more pupils than that pass the exam, the school has to follow the county council's admissions policy which takes into account whether the prospective pupil has a sibling at the school and the distance the child lives from the school.
Headteacher Jonathan Maddox said any changes would not be done without wide consultation or without regard to the best interests of the school and its community. He said the town was well-represented on the board of governors, which is well aware of local sentiment.
Mr Maddox said: "Foundation status is intended to promote innovation and educational entrepreneurship by giving school leaders more freedom to decide how best to meet the needs of their pupils, parents and wider communities, and foundation schools have the flexibility to maximise the use of their assets."
The school is currently undergoing an informal consultation which ends on Tuesday. The next step will be a governing body meeting on July 8 to consider responses and to make a decision.
The town council agreed to contact the school following its meeting this week to voice strong concerns.
l The school wants to extend its sixth form area to include a new entrance, lobby and locker space. South Kesteven District Council has put in no objections to the proposals, which are being submitted by the county council.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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