Story: Lisa Swift
Fir Vale School has announced that controversial proposals to change their admissions process are on hold.
The proposed scheme would have introduced ‘fair banding,’ which means pupils have to take an ability test to get in.
In a letter to local parents, councillors and other local schools, the school confirmed it was suspending its consultation process on 18th February. It was due to finish on 1st March. The school stated:
“On the basis of the responses and agreements already received, governors agreed with the Local Authority to put the current consultation process on hold.”
The Council has announced it will be reviewing the city-wide school admissions arrangements. Fir Vale School said, “This will hopefully address concerns regarding the ever-increasing number of students in the Fir Vale catchment area, which by far exceed the number of places.”
Parents of children at local schools presented a petition against Fir Vale School's proposals to the Council’s Cabinet meeting on 19th February. Local parent Nargis Rahmatullah presented the petition, telling councillors, “As well as bringing this petition to the Cabinet, we are also making a petition to the school. We have asked for open and transparent consultation, which we do not think there has been. We feel the proposals will harm cohesion in Page Hall. We feel it would put pressure on the community. We do not think it is fair to ask children to go through another test to get a place in school. Parents from different schools in the area are concerned about it.”
In response Jackie Drayton, Cabinet member for Children and Young People and Burngreave local councillor, said, “Admissions by ability completely goes against the Council’s approach. Jayne Ludlam [Director of Education] and myself have written to the school to express our concerns, not just because of the impact it would have on Fir Vale but also because of the impact it would have on other schools and other areas in the city. There has been disquiet from other schools on the issue.
“I have written to the headteacher as a local councillor expressing concern that she did not tell local elected members, the local MP or the Local Authority about the consultation. I have also asked for a public meeting on the issue. “Fir Vale School is at the heart of the community and local people want their children to go there, and these proposals would have prevented that. It is very divisive.
“We are reviewing the admissions policy for the city, and we hope all schools will sign up to the city-wide admissions process again, including Fir Vale. If not, we can appeal against any decision to follow a different admissions process.”