Why Hands on Haywood High?
On the 18th February 2008, a document, Confidential Draft Transforming Schools for a Brighter Future: Possible Position Statement, was "leaked" to The Sentinel Newspaper. After all the rigmarole of the consultation process of November and December 2007, the Hands off Haywood High Community Group was extremely disappointed to find the following statement in the document:
"public
consultation showed strong support for the school,
and a resistance to agree to any changes".
In this one sentence, the Council and Serco demonstrated that, although they may have been "listening" during the consultation, they most certainly were not hearing what was said .
During the public meeting at Haywood on 15th November, the Council Manager, Steve Robinson asked three questions:
By no stretch of anybody's imagination could this be construed to be "a resistance to agree to any changes"!
Later in the paragraph about Haywood, the following statement occurs:
and a resistance to agree to any changes".
In this one sentence, the Council and Serco demonstrated that, although they may have been "listening" during the consultation, they most certainly were not hearing what was said .
During the public meeting at Haywood on 15th November, the Council Manager, Steve Robinson asked three questions:
Question: Do you accept that change must take place?
Clear, unambiguous answer from the Community: Yes!
Question: Do you want Haywood to close?
Clear, unambiguous answer from the Community: No!
Question: Do you want the school to remain on its current site?
Clear, unambiguous answer from the Community: Yes!
Clear, unambiguous answer from the Community: Yes!
Question: Do you want Haywood to close?
Clear, unambiguous answer from the Community: No!
Question: Do you want the school to remain on its current site?
Clear, unambiguous answer from the Community: Yes!
By no stretch of anybody's imagination could this be construed to be "a resistance to agree to any changes"!
Later in the paragraph about Haywood, the following statement occurs:
"it
is not proposed to make any major investment at the school, but to
refurbish it
towards the end of the BSF Programme in 2012 or 2013".
To many people, this statement showed that the Council was set on a spiteful, petty course of neglect as revenge against a school and community that had dared to oppose them.
For this reason, it was decided to continue our campaign and this website. The name change has come about because there seems no longer to be a direct, immediate, threat of closure hanging over Haywood. But the threat remains that the Council, through inaction, will ensure the eventual demise of the school. The community has fought strongly against closure or removal, and wishes to remain "hands on" in making sure that Haywood receives its fair share of the funds on offer.
As of 1st May 2008, this group has taken the name Haywood Area Voice Of the Community (HAVOC). Its website can be found here.
towards the end of the BSF Programme in 2012 or 2013".
To many people, this statement showed that the Council was set on a spiteful, petty course of neglect as revenge against a school and community that had dared to oppose them.
For this reason, it was decided to continue our campaign and this website. The name change has come about because there seems no longer to be a direct, immediate, threat of closure hanging over Haywood. But the threat remains that the Council, through inaction, will ensure the eventual demise of the school. The community has fought strongly against closure or removal, and wishes to remain "hands on" in making sure that Haywood receives its fair share of the funds on offer.
Our campaign will
again bring
positive suggestions to the forefront:
- We are seeking written assurances and a timescale that Haywood Engineering College will receive adequate funding for proper refurbishment, in line with the amounts being received by other schools in the City. The refurbishment would correspond with the school's and community's aims, and involve all.
- This is still a consultation phase and we support the Alternative Proposals, which present a good academic and community case for small local schools operating as a Federation. There is now considerable evidence that smaller schools are more successful.
- We will maintain contact with all schools and actively encourage the Northern Cluster proposal. We should also encourage other areas to consider the federated approach.
- We aim to build on the community involvement, and campaign on issues that affect our community.
As of 1st May 2008, this group has taken the name Haywood Area Voice Of the Community (HAVOC). Its website can be found here.
HoHH Community Group
19th March 2008
3.30 p.m.
at the School.
