Dorset Council understands there are concerns about the future of St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School in Wimborne. The future of the school is not Dorset Council’s decision but we are on hand to support families and understand their concerns.
Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Early Help, said: “Dorset Council will support families and work together with parents and carers to find the best solutions for all children.
“The future of St Catherine’s is not Dorset Council’s decision, but we are monitoring the situation carefully and understand that the Regional Schools Commissioner is discussing the future of the school with the head teacher board this month, following an approach from the Plymouth-based academy trust that runs the school.
“We understand the concerns of parents and carers and encourage them to engage with the school and the trust. We are sorry that families may be going through a worrying time, our school admissions team is on hand to help and advise families, please email: admissions@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or the contact number is 01305 221060.”
At the last full inspection this school was rated inadequate and had only half its capacity of pupils. Perhaps parents are voting with their feet against sectarian education? DCC should not spend council tax-payers money to support schools which separate out children on religious grounds. Wimborne is not Northern Ireland!
Please will you suggest to the Government that, in order to improve the situation, jointly, for the education of our children and the protection of our beaches and seaside resorts, the six weeks of school summer holidays should be staggered throughout the country?
Most families normally book two week holidays at a resort. If the North of
England took,say, the first two weeks of the six week holiday and had the next four with the schools open. The Midlands could take the second two weeks and the South of England the last two weeks.
To me this is a .” Common sense” idea. I’m not sure that this is always the approach taken by the Government!