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Both Rock Ferry High School and Park High School are to close and be replaced by a £30M academy.

So we will have two Birkenhead Academies (New one and Birkenhead High for Girls) not under local government control or ownership.

Council is bound to go along with the Academies - they get to sell the old school sites.

I can't understand Academies - I am sure the investing companies are not planning to make a loss (the original concept was they are part-financed by industry), they invariably mean that joe public loses ownership of schools and the government give them huge amounts of money that they are not prepared to give to normal schools. The logic being???????
they cant close rocky hich that was a class school when i went!so many hiding places to have a smoke too got a few good memories of that place.
There has been talk of Rock Ferry closing for a few years now - falling intake etc (my old school!)
Park High is already the unwanted love child of several birkenhead schools.

They tend to have pretty bad results etc, wonder if the new academy will let all the pupils from the 2 closed schools back in.
they have to let them in
what i cannot understand is where a school will be situated that is convenient to pupils from both these schools? think about the areas they cover. it looks like the bus companies will be making a packet from it as kids will need to go further afield to get to school. what happened to local education - its all bollocks.

From Rock Ferry Nigh School website:
"7th October 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Wirral Review of Secondary School Places

Following recommendations in a government report, Mr. Howard Cooper, Director of Children’s Services, is to propose the opening of a new Academy, to serve Rock Ferry High School and Park High School students.

This proposal will be made to the Cabinet of Wirral Borough Council on 6th November 2008.

Under the proposal, the government is to invest £30 million in a new Super School, to be established on a new site conveniently located for both sets of pupils. This would be a huge investment in the future of our children.

Many people would be sorry to leave the Rock Ferry site, which has a long and distinguished history of serving this community and its children well.

However, the new Super School would be second-to-none. It would offer the finest facilities available in the country and the best possible educational opportunities. This massive vote of confidence in our children is richly deserved and will transform education in the Birkenhead area.

Every child who already has, or takes up a place at Rock Ferry High School would have the automatic right to transfer to the new Super School when it opens, and would benefit from the wonderful opportunities on offer. Meanwhile, Rock Ferry High School and Park High School would continue to offer high quality education and care to all their pupils on the two sites for some years to come.

If this exciting proposal is adopted, both schools will be working closely to ensure that in due course, students can move to the new school smoothly, with teachers and staff who know them well.

Please rest assured that we will endeavour to keep you fully informed of future developments.

Yours sincerely,

P.T. Bennett
HEADTEACHER

PRESS RELEASE

A proposal to open a new £30 million Academy to serve current and future Rock Ferry High School and Park High School students will be heard by Cabinet, following the recommendation of a Government report.

A site for the new Superschool, which would offer educational facilities to rival the top schools in the country, has yet to be decided but will be well placed for both sets of pupils.

The new Superschool will primarily serve communities in south and central Birkenhead. The Council is also committed to improving the quality of secondary school provision for pupils in north Birkenhead.

Wirral’s Cabinet will meet on November 6th to discuss the proposal, following which there will be a period of consultation with key stakeholders.

Park High Headteacher Steve McMahon, said: “This is the very best news for students and the wider community of Birkenhead, Wirral and beyond. Our school has a long and proud tradition and, in recent years, we have been increasingly successful. I see the Academy proposal as a fantastic reward for all our hard work and achievements and, through this move, Birkenhead would secure one of the very best schools in the country.

Peter Bennett, Headteacher of Rock Ferry High School, said: “Under these proposals, Rock Ferry High School pupils will continue to enjoy a first rate education. The size of the investment will offer incredible opportunities, both to pupils and to staff. Only the best is good enough for the pupils of Rock Ferry High School.

“The new Superschool would be second to none. It would offer the finest facilities available in the country and the best possible educational opportunities. I believe the proposal is richly deserved by our pupils and would transform education in Birkenhead.”

Frank Field MP for Birkenhead said: “It’s the most exciting proposal that has come Birkenhead’s way in my 30 years as MP. Future generations will condemn us rightly if we don’t grab these proposals with both hands and I’m pleased that the Council have already begun to develop them.”

Councillor Phil Davies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Lifelong Learning, added: “The proposal is huge news for the area with £30 million of investment to give youngsters from Birkenhead the very best opportunities in the years ahead. We hope it will drive up aspirations, standards and achievement, setting the benchmark for what can be achieved in urban communities.”
A couple of quotes from the DCSF Standards Site FAQ

"Will opening an Academy adversely affect other schools in the area?
Quite the opposite. Academies will be part of the local family of schools, sharing their facilities and expertise with other schools and the wider community, contributing to raising standards across the whole area."

"Will pupils from a school replaced by an Academy be guaranteed a place there?
We expect most pupils at schools replaced by Academies to have the option of transferring to the Academy."
Rocky High and Park High together ? Do the council want to start wirrarmageddon ?? You know how much they rival each other ?? Christ.. Here goes birkenhead...
Posted By: Anonymous Re: Schools face closure in new 'academies' programme - 15th Oct 2008 11:08pm
wirrarmageddon

i like it raftl
What a load of wank.

There is no convenient location for pupils to travel between the two. For a start, school runs would be 10x worse.

Money has recently been pumped into Park High to bring it up to standard as a specialist sports college.
That will become a waste of government money and lottery funding wont it yes

Frank Field is a load of shit and so it this "new labour" government
Originally Posted by MissGuided
they have to let them in
what i cannot understand is where a school will be situated that is convenient to pupils from both these schools? think about the areas they cover. it looks like the bus companies will be making a packet from it as kids will need to go further afield to get to school. what happened to local education - its all bollocks.


the wirral really isnt that big tease - and when did u, when u were at school, actually pay the actual fare to where u were going? i used to pay half fare (up until i was about 19 and started to not get away with it lol) and only to about 3 stops from where the bus picked up from where it would usually be the case i was going about 8 or 9 stops etc lol (i have forgotten the concept of full stops and commas)
I walked to school. Wasn't far to Park High Lower (used to go home for lunch, 5 miuntes away), but then when I went to Upper school it took about 20-25 minutes to walk from Claughton village area to Park Rd South. Part of it involved walking through the park. I think there was a bus we could have caught but we never did. Walked rain or shine (even snow). No wonder I was a skinny teenager - I walked everywhere!
lol i was the same... now im a fat beer guzzling slob... well, ok, not wuite... but im certainly not athletic! - used to always walk to school... also about 25-30 mins (new ferry to beb high)
used to walk or ride to school an loved goin out for lunch,dacre hill butty shop!ham an cheese wit brown sauce!!!
Originally Posted by BMW Joe
What a load of wank.

There is no convenient location for pupils to travel between the two. For a start, school runs would be 10x worse.

Money has recently been pumped into Park High to bring it up to standard as a specialist sports college.
That will become a waste of government money and lottery funding wont it yes

Frank Field is a load of shit and so it this "new labour" government


withthat happy
What the hell is an Academy?? This is an American idea right?
Jesus Christ!
This was Tony 'Blurr's' idea you know to have an academy in every county! he was full of great ideas-a lot of them came to nought!
Station

An Academy is where a group of people put a small amount of cash up to build a school, the government then give them the loads of extra cash needed and then the school belongs to the group of people.

The figures are like £2M invested by group then government throws in £30M.

The school doesn't have to follow the whole of the national curriculum unlike council run schools and the teachers pay and conditions are not controlled by national agreements.

The school receives funding each year similar to state schools except as they all specialise in various subjects they get the extra specialism funding (which some state schools do as well).

The idea is that the pupil will be over-awed by having a brand new building and latest facilities and will be so gratefull that they will work hard and get brilliant results.
how could they close rocky, the place where so many of us learned to smoke, should be turned into a museum by imperial tobacco. and such legends...joe soap, wogga, buffer, harry winters, miss severe ( or was it sebere )...the list is....well thats about all i can remember apart from pete limb who i believe passed away, shame he was a good man.
Originally Posted by diggingdeeper
The idea is that the pupil will be over-awed by having a brand new building and latest facilities and will be so gratefull that they will work hard and get brilliant results.


Surely for that to work, its down to the kids themselves ? Every school you go to you get kids who dont give a shit, give teachers shit, give other kids shit and are gernerally just shit. A big shiny building isnt going to change that at all. Instead, they should be looking at why others such as Calday, Wirral Grammar and Neston perform so well. Its not necessarilly all down to academic performance.
Originally Posted by Mi_Craig
Instead, they should be looking at why others such as Calday, Wirral Grammar and Neston perform so well. Its not necessarilly all down to academic performance.


11-plus? (means they don't have to get so many divvies) Genetics? Affluence? Social class?

IMHO I reckon if a child starts to under perform in school and starts to affect the performance of other children who want to do well, they should be given two other options: learn a trade and be useful when they leave at 16, or get sent to a 'military school' like the yanks do where trouble-makers get 'ironed-out'.
There's no point trying to teach idiots algebra.


Originally Posted by MissGuided
11-plus? (means they don't have to get so many divvies) Genetics? Affluence? Social class?


I was a Wirral Grammar School Girl, but I think I only flew through the 11+ because my Mum taught us how to read before we got to infants school and actively encouraged us to read books on a wide range of subjects. We certainly weren't affluent and are a working class family (am I still allowed to use that term in these days of PC bollards). I think maybe it does just boil down to how much you want to succeed and how you are brought up. I am still in education now, and have a feeling I'll be a student until I can't physically be one any longer. I just love learning! Even when I've finished my Law Qualification, I've decided I'm going to follow one of my other passions and do Archaeology at night school raftl

Originally Posted by MissGuided
IMHO I reckon if a child starts to under perform in school and starts to affect the performance of other children who want to do well, they should be given two other options: learn a trade and be useful when they leave at 16, or get sent to a 'military school' like the yanks do where trouble-makers get 'ironed-out'.
There's no point trying to teach idiots algebra.


I quite agree with you on that MissG! It's the old addage of "it only takes one bad apple". I got frustrated with the ones who just wanted to mess about when I wanted to learn. Unfotunately, they were the bullies and I got a hard enough time off them as it was so did not say anything that would rock the boat even further. Now, if it happens at college, I WILL speak up.

As for the algebra - no point teaching anyone algebra. I've not used it since, well ever really.

Originally Posted by Mi_Craig
Originally Posted by diggingdeeper
The idea is that the pupil will be over-awed by having a brand new building and latest facilities and will be so gratefull that they will work hard and get brilliant results.


Surely for that to work, its down to the kids themselves ? Every school you go to you get kids who dont give a shit, give teachers shit, give other kids shit and are gernerally just shit. A big shiny building isnt going to change that at all. Instead, they should be looking at why others such as Calday, Wirral Grammar and Neston perform so well. Its not necessarilly all down to academic performance.


Quite a lot of the new acadamies are failing, now where is the common factor again?
Originally Posted by oxtontranmere
how could they close rocky, the place where so many of us learned to smoke, should be turned into a museum by imperial tobacco. and such legends...joe soap, wogga, buffer, harry winters, miss severe ( or was it sebere )...the list is....well thats about all i can remember apart from pete limb who i believe passed away, shame he was a good man.
was'nt it mr limb who supposedly made a suit from the school curtains?i got an a* for smoking whilst there!
purple velvet smoking jacket as i remember and looked like jesus
with the nasty sweaty bandage on his wrist!
Well i never thought Rocky high would ever close

Does any one know if the old ravinswood house is going to


Be a good U.E coffee think happy
I thought Ravenswood was listed but I can't find it on "Listed buildings online"

I still think it a shame that the old Stoneleigh was knocked down - because the stairs was said to be unsafe - with something like 1000 people a day climbing the stairs, you expect to need some repairs now and then.
pretty sure thats a listed building...
wooow no way spooky that place at night lol
So was I Dave, perhaps the rumour was spread to make sure it didn't get listed - everybody assumes it is. Oh no - I'm on a conspiracy theory again.
remember me dad sayin years ago,and im sure he said the other house on the grounds should'nt of been knocked down either.
i still think a U.E is called 4 me
Originally Posted by diggingdeeper
I thought Ravenswood was listed but I can't find it on "Listed buildings online"

I still think it a shame that the old Stoneleigh was knocked down - because the stairs was said to be unsafe - with something like 1000 people a day climbing the stairs, you expect to need some repairs now and then.


Ravenswood was listed to a degree. I remember it being on fire and having to be restored.
It wasn't me. But we did used to go and smoke on the roof-that wa an interesting place to go
I might be off topic here but are they merging or something?
yes - there is a thread about it somewhere
@Jamie That is what this topic is about, read page 1
Can you show me where? I dont see any word on that page that says "Merging"
Originally Posted by diggingdeeper
@Jamie That is what this topic is about, read page 1


I'm making a habit of being blonde aren't I?
Look at it this way Jamie. They are closing both schools and sending all the pupils to one "Super School". Sounds like merging to me smile
To quote some song or another (Paul Mcartney/Stevie Wonder)

"Two will become one"

The two schools are closing and being replaced by one Academy.

Clicky
Thanks man needed that bit of inspiration into reading more than the first word laugh
FrSchools face closure in new 'academies' programme
10:29am Thursday 12th March 2009

RIDGEWAY, Rock Ferry and Park High schools will be closed if a new proposal to create two multi-million pound academies in Wirral is approved by the council.

The new schools will be in addition to Birkenhead High School for Girls, which will become an academy from September.

The proposal could see one mixed-sex academy on the former Park High School site and another single-sex boys' academy.

The move has been welcomed by Birkenhead MP Frank Field, who said it would give local children the chance to "achieve secondary education worthy of the name".

But leader of the council's Conservative group, Cllr Jeff Green, said he was "shocked" by the announcement.

He said: "Ridgeway's inclusion to be closed is news to me. I shall be seeking an urgent meeting with our education executives to clarify this position.

"I am dismayed that the council sees fit to announce these major changes to education provision via the local media before they are discusssed in the town hall.

"It is local government by press release."

The council says the new ‘superschools’ would offer educational facilities to rival the best schools in the country.

The move follows an initial proposal in November to look at opening one academy to serve Rock Ferry High and Park High pupils.

Since then, Birkenhead High School for Girls has announced that the go-ahead has now been given to establish an all-ability state-funded girls’ academy on its site.

This meant an imbalance in school places available for boys and girls in Birkenhead and has led to the new proposal for a boys’ academy.

The new schools will be in addition to Birkenhead High School for Girls, which will become an academy from September.

The new state-of-the-art academies would serve pupils currently at Rock Ferry High, Park High and Ridgeway High School.

The scheme will be heard at the council’s cabinet meeting next Thursday and, if approved, will then move to the consultation stage, when staff, pupils and parents at the three schools affected will be able to make their comments.

Councillor Phil Davies, Wirral’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “This is an extremely exciting idea.

"Wirral would have three brand new state-of-the-art academies, with millions of pounds to invest in building on the expertise and excellent work that already takes place at Ridgeway High, Park High and Rock Ferry."

Ridgeway High headteacher Pauline Roberts said: “Ridgeway School has been judged by OFSTED as being an 'outstanding' school in every aspect of its educational delivery.

“Our pupils, parents and staff are rightly proud of what Ridgeway has achieved and the ethos that exists within the school.

" I can assure them that, if the proposal goes ahead, I will be working with the local authority, sponsors and other local schools to ensure that what we have achieved is not lost.”

Peter Bennett, headteacher at Rock Ferry High School, said: “I welcome this academies programme which brings the number of academies in Wirral to three.

“The proposal to build a new, multi-million pound academy to serve boys from Rock Ferry High School and South Birkenhead is a huge and well-deserved vote of confidence in the local community and in Rock Ferry High School.

“The proposed brand new school would be among the best built and the best equipped in the country. It would offer an unrivalled range of opportunities, both academic and vocational."

Park High headteacher Steve McMahon said: “Parents and students in Birkenhead already have a choice of very good schools but these academies will raise the bar still further still further."

Frank Field said: “This is the last serious chance we have to achieve secondary education which is worthy of its name in Birkenhead.

"These new academies will transform the pattern of education and how it is delivered in Birkenhead.”
This was copied from the Wirral Globe Staff and pupils of Ridgeway were informed of this today.

This is a letter I e-mailed the globe with my view:

The reason we have do not need security in our schools or have any knife crimes or gang associated problems is because our youth are terrotorial and each stick to there own areas and schools by merging these schools with different areas we are going to have the same problems as some of the schools in liverpool where children from different areas are mixed into the same high school the result knife crimes and gang related crimes in their schools.Do we in Birkenhead want to worry about the safety of our children in or schools or do we want things to stay as they are with community based schools where parents know the other pupils and parents and where are children travel to and from school with friends and other local kids safely .We must oppose this and think of our childrens futures .
What do you all think about this do you think it will end with high schools or will the same thing happen to primary schools?
EVERY other Academy in the country has failed, why are they so bloomin' optomistic that this one/two/three will succeed.

To give you an idea how bad acadamies are - most of the go-getter high-flying headmasters that start an acadamy resign within the FIRST YEAR.

No statistics show anything good about acadamies apart from a very small percentage of specific kids get benefit, the far greater majority are not better of.

I am very surprised at Frank Field supporting this waste of public money and waste of kids who don't stand a chance in a proven white elephant.
Do you think this is already a done deal my sister works at Ridgeway school on the dinners and she got told today that she would be made redundant in 2-3 years yet pupils were told that they would not be closing for 4-5 years .
Originally Posted by diggingdeeper
I am very surprised at Frank Field supporting this waste of public money and waste of kids who don't stand a chance in a proven white elephant.

I'm not!
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