New School for Bude - the Plot Thickens

By MediaMs | Thursday, June 09, 2011, 15:00

I heard about it by chance in Bude this morning that there is a meeting at 7pm on 10th June at Bude's Parkhouse Centre by the Yorkshire Nationwide Schools group who wish to open a free school in Bude in 2012/13. The group, based in the north, are setting up schools around the country, taking advantage of the Government's free schools initiative, but with little or no local interest or knowledge, from what I can see.

Confirmation has been received that they have booked Room 4 at the Parkhouse centre late last week but offered no publicity materials. The room seats about 35 so a large turnout is presumably not anticipated. From what I know of schools, having spent many years working in education, I suspect this will pass for 'the consultation process' so those concerned may wish to get out there and be counted. For more info see our previous article..........

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Sorry, trigger happy. Meant to add to the last post - been announced some time ago and I thought decisions were due in August. Has anyone had any more news of the YNS proposal for Bude?

By BudeMedia at 09:03 on 28/08/11
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It seems the first free schools for 2011 have been announced (with more in the pipeline). Of course, YNS's proposal for Bude is for 2012 - watch this space! http://tinyurl.com/3hsa4lg

By BudeMedia at 08:56 on 28/08/11
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Given the geographical location/isolation of Bude, it is the 'local' school area for children living as far as parts of Torridge, out towards Holsworthy and towards Camelford. For many, the existing secondary school at Budehaven is their nearest.
Therefore, one would expect the issue to attract interest from the wider community than Bude itself ( such as Stratton, Kilkhampton and other outlying villages) so nothing sinister in that, but yes, maybe Coolgeek is right and no one in Bude itself actually cares?

By BudePeeps at 23:05 on 16/06/11
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There is something very odd about the whole matter. Most of the interest in this proposal appears to be coming from well outside of Bude. Check out the Facebook page - not exactly masses of interest. Can't sense much community spirit or knowledge of what is being put forward here...

By coolgeek at 19:07 on 16/06/11
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One of the problems which the article points out is "the curriculum model would be built around the English baccalureate, the future of which is still very uncertain"

The Independent (amongst many other commentators said

'The Government's White Paper on education said it would be awarded to anyone gaining five A* to C grades in English, maths, a science, a language – modern or ancient – and a humanities subject.

However, ministers have now announced some GCSE science and languages courses will not count towards it.. In addition, GCSEs in religious education will not be considered as a humanities subject

This new curriculum is going to dumb down many subjects resulting in a much narrower education system and exclude religious educaton and languages from being part of an all round education as well - in my opinion.

I always worry when some new idea is churned out nationwide and some entrepeneur organisation realise there is loads of funding to set up the project, makes their money and gets out (Southern Cross might be a typical example of the damage that can be caused).

My children were educated at Bude Haven and whilst not a perfect school (who is?) they managed to make ther way into good jobs even though they had to move away to find them. If its not broken don't fix it!

By trevorofbude at 12:31 on 10/06/11
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