Proposals heard for new Hove school (From The Argus)

Proposals heard for new Hove school

12:30pm Monday 7th December 2009

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Proposals for turning a city school into a Co-operative Trust have been presented to parents and teachers.

Sean Rogers, from the national Co-operative College organisation, said adopting the model would give families more say on education and school organisation.

He spoke at a meeting called at Hove Town Hall on Saturday by Sussex Co-operative and Labour councillors in response to news Brighton and Hove City Council was planning a new primary school in Hove.

It is considering four potential sites and will receive an extra £5.7 million from government, announced last week, to support the scheme.

If the proposals go ahead the council would be legally obliged to hold a tendering competition to decide who will run the school – giving established bodies like the Catholic, Anglican and other churches as well as Steiner, Montessori and other groups the opportunity to bid for the position.

Independent parents groups could also apply, as they did successfully for the new primary in Bolnore, near Haywards Heath.

Mr Rogers said parents should consider backing a Co-operative Trust as a secular alternative which encouraged children to learn principles of social responsibility, honesty and democracy.

He pointed out a Co-op Trust School would have the support of the national organisation but be directed by parents, teachers and other stakeholders on a forum.

Mr Rogers said: "In many ways this puts the community back into community schools."

He added that dozens of Co-op Trust Schools had been set up since the scheme was launched two years ago, making it the third largest group involved with education after the Church of England and Roman Catholic chuch.

After the meeting Bob Howitt, from parents group Action 4 Kids, said: "The ethos is appealling and it is something to consider. From a parent's point of view all we really want is enough school places in our area."

The audience at the meeting included Brighton Pavilion MP David Lepper and opposition Labour education councillor Pat Hawkes, as well as councillor Melanie Davis, who represents the Goldsmid ward where there is a shortage of primary school places.

Coun Hawkes and Coun Davis will give a report on the presentation to Di Smith, director of the council's Children and Young People's Trust, which is responsible for schools.

Coun Davis said: "It was great to have the Co-op present their option for a trust school in Hove. We urgently need more school places in Hove and a more inclusive and community based solution should be found."

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