Seems that things have settled somewhat now regarding the proposed changes to the St. Mary's School catchment area with plenty of paperwork being received through letterboxes village-wide from a variety of sources. However, it seems that the saga may not have ended completely bearing in mind the Conservatives will "consult over other possible solutions over the next 12 months."
Let us know if you hear of anything.

24/02/2007
I attended the public meeting last night about the changes to the catchment area of St Marys. I was really impressed with the turnout and feel we articulately put forward some very valid points.

I feel quite angry in that it appears the council have thought of no other options and were obviously just hoping to convince us that this was the best option. It is clear that this is not the best option and i hope the council have now realised that they may have to go back to the drawing board and rethink this.

One thing that was made clear was that no resident of Fairford Leys will choose to send their child to Thomas Hickman. So this will not help fill their surplus places anyway, but will just cause parents to seek schooling even further away from their homes.

Lets hope that we have made the council think again about this proposal.
Julie

14/02/2007
The Parish Council have called a public meeting for Thursday 22nd February, 2007 at 7.30pm in The Fairford Leys Centre. John Bercow MP, County Cllr Marion Clayton and BCC officers have been invited along with the Headteacher and also the Chairman of Governors for St Mary''s School. The meeting will be chaired by the parish council and questions will be put to County Councillors and Officers on why they are proposing the catchment changes.
Mike

14/02/2007
Petition
Just to let all residents know that the petition opposing the County Council's proposal to reduce the school catchment area for St. Mary's will be presented to Councillor Marion Clayton this Friday (16th Feb) at 12 noon outside the County Council offices in town (next to the Library). We have John Bercow MP, County Councillors Freda Roberts and Steve Kennell, and hopefully representatives from the Parish Council and the Church coming along to support us. The Bucks Herald is also coming along to report on it.

If you're free, please come along too. It's our opportunity to show the County Council just what we think of the proposals.

Also, don't forget the public meeting on Thursday 22nd February at 7.30pm in the community centre.
Shelley

08/02/2007
There is a paper, available for viewing on the Bucks County Council website, outlining their proposal to review the current catchment for St Marys so that some of Fairford Leys residents children will go to Thomas Hickman school instead.

This decision is being made at County Council level.

What does this mean for Fairford Leys residents?.....

1. Thomas Hickman has far lower pass rates in English (60%), Maths (48%) & Science (73%). Compare this to St Marys; English (93%), Maths (91%) & Science (98%) as well as St Marys being designated as "Outstanding" in its recent Offsted inspection. (Source: BBC online)

2. School children will have about a 40 min walk to school across the busy A41 road. The alternative would be to drive our children to the school - thereby adding to the already congested roads, and in itself creating another safety hazard through dropping children off at the school gates where it is notorious for cars being parked everywhere, and all at a time when councils are meant to be encouraging us to drive less to help the environment!

3. Your childrens friends may live in another road in the village and so go to different schools, despite living in the same village.

4. Your childrens friends may live in the SAME road in the village and still go to different schools. Why? Because there is mention of allowing children who would be placed out of catchment by the new ruling who have an older sibling already at the school, being regarded as being 'in catchment'. Great for that family (IF this ruling gets approved) - but what about their neighbours who have a long journey to a school in a totally different area? This is going to cause some serious community disharmony.

5. The effect is not limited to those families with children. The value of houses in the proposed area will surely be affected. But not just that area. Who would move to within a road or two out of the proposed area, just incase they increased the Thomas Hickman catchment area later on? I would not take that chance if I were moving new in to the village. I would want to move far away from the catchment area - or not in to Fairford Leys at all. I would want to be as certain as possible of the catchment area for my children's school. After all, when we buy a house we also buy in to the location and the facilities within the area - schooling being a high priority for families with school aged children.

6. Many families within the proposed area may wish to move. Are we going to see lots of our residents move out and our community spirit disappear?

7. Bucks CC say they are consulting parents...has anyone been consulted? I know I haven't. I only know of this because of the story in the Bucks Herald and subsequently looking on the Bucks CC and St Marys website. St Marys website states they have sent some information out regarding the matter with their newsletter, but this will only go to parents of children who already attend St Marys - who would not be affected if their 'sibling rule' goes ahead, yet nothing official has yet been received by parents of children not yet at the school.

This has a serious potential to eradicate community spirit, devalue housing, force people to leave Fairford Leys yet see them struggle to sell their homes, and leave those families left with a long journey across a busy road to a school which compares poorly to St Marys when a lot of families will of paid to move here for the school in the first place.

There is a petition going around. If this concerns you please put your name down - regardless of whether you live in the affected streets or have children. In truth, this affects us all. We need to act as a community now - before our community is broken for us. We have until 1st March 2007 to appeal this.

What can you do?
- Log on to the Bucks CC website and complete their appeals form online - here.
- Write a letter voicing your opposition and hand in to St Marys in a sealed envelope OR by post to: The Admissions Team, Achievement & Learning, County Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1UZ.
- Sign the petition, it is coming around door to door.
- Be vocal. The only thing we can be sure about is that if we do nothing, this change will take place. We have to try.

Coldharbour Parish Council have requested a public meeting but we have yet to discover whether this will be agreed to.

The Bucks County Council website says it is in consultation with parents over this. I am a mother whose children will be affected by this but I have yet to be consulted and the deadline for opposing this proposal is only two weeks away!
Sarah

01/02/07
St Mary's School Catchment
I have received a hand delivered letter today tellimg me that certain roads in fairford leys will no longer be in the St Marys school catchment area. I would really like to know if this is true as i paid a premium to move to fairford leys so that my son will be able to attend the school in the future. I live in Chelsea Road.
If this is true please could you let me know as i won\'t send my son to Thomas Hickman or Meadowcroft.
Andrea

Proposed changes for catchment area of St Mary's school to divide Fairford Leys, some will go to Thomas Hickman it becomes a postcode lottery all children on Fairford Leys should have the right to attend their local school please voice concerns with the council so the community does not become divided.
Anita