8 Minutes to Oxted

Articles of interest in national publications

The Sunday Times

How to build a school with parent power The Tory policy of encouraging parents to become more involved in the setting up of schools has attracted criticism, but as our correspondent found, it can be done Article from Sunday Times 25th Nov 2007.

Education supplement in the Guardian

We are not there yet on admissions 11th December 2007.
758,000 places lie empty as parents fight for popular schools 5th June 2007.
This story includes an interesting quote from the 'Education Department' (whatever that might actually be) - The new powers local authorities now have to make decisions about opening and closing schools, and the unprecedented levels of capital funding to support this, means that they can use this as a rare opportunity to completely reassess how they organise and divide their schools. This is the complete reverse of what was said in the Council Meeting at Tandridge DC offices on the 14th Dec where it was intimated to be under Central Government control. It would appear that the funding does come from Central Government, but the education authority makes the decisions. Come on Surrey, get a workable policy and long-term plan together!
Where is our school? 3rd April 2007.
The scramble for school places A collective page on the Guardian website relating to school admissions.

The Observer

The Sunday Telegraph

The long commute to the classroom A proposed redrawing of Oxted's catchment area by Surrey County Council will exclude the two villages and, instead, children from them will be sent to Oakwood School, an undersubscribed and lower-performing secondary in Horley. Article in The Sunday Telegraph. 13th January 2008.

BBC

Catchment row complaint withdrawnA complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman in a row over school catchment area changes in Surrey has been withdrawn. Article on BBC website.4th February 2008.
Rally over school catchment move Parents and pupils at two primary schools in Surrey have marched in protest against plans to reduce the catchment area of a secondary school. Article on BBC website. 12th January 2008.
School admissions rules finalised New rules to ensure greater fairness in how schools in England select their pupils have been published by the Department for Education and Skills. Article on BBC website. 10th January 2008.
School place appeals up and down There was a increase in the number of families appealing against their allotted primary school place in England for 2005-06, figures show. Article on BBC website. 24th May 2007.