Basingstoke MP Maria Miller chaired a ‘Community Chat’ on Basingstoke’s secondary education. The panel who spoke to parents included Natalie Smith-Hampshire County Council Education Manager and Jean Thorpe- Hampshire County Council School Improvement Manager. Headteachers Randall Jull-The Costello School, Paul Jenkins- Head Teacher Aldworth School, Chris Edwards- Brighton Hill school and Mark Henderson -Principal QMC. Cllr Arun Mummalaneni BCOT Governor also took part.
Hampshire County Council officers provided an update on the current OFSTED ratings for Basingstoke schools and the progress that has been made in recent years with all bar one now rated by OFSTED as ‘Good’. The Officers anticipated Aldworth School would move to a ‘Good' rating at their next inspection.
Maria said; “ Basingstoke parents want the best education for their children, and it is important for them to be able to hear facts from the experts. I hope that this meeting gave parents the opportunity to find out more about our schools, particularly at a time when, because of the pandemic, GCSE results are not always an indicator of a schools success. In the meeting parents underlined the importance they attach to excellence in education for their children. Our parents have very high aspirations for their children and every school need to ensure those aspirations can be matched.
”In the meeting Hampshire County Council Officials set out the challenges they face in supporting children with special needs at a time when demand for support has increased by over 300% .Many more children need additional support as a result of the pandemic and providing this support has to be a top priority. In Basingstoke we have received £10.5m from Government to open a brand-new special school, Austen Academy, extra special needs provision at South View Infant and Junior schools, alongside increased investment at Coppice Springs Academy, Saxon Wood School and Limington House.”
Attendees also heard from the post 16 providers, Queen Mary College and Basingstoke College of Technology.
Maria commented “ Both QMC and BCoT provide a range of educational options and have a proven track record of successfully supporting young people into the top Universities and Apprenticeships."
In Questions to the panel a wide range of topics were raised: including the need for 6th forms in secondary schools, school transport in Winklebury, the provision of support for Students with Special Educational needs and the time taken by Hampshire County Council to complete Educational Health and Care plans.
Maria said, "Parents have a crucial role to play in helping shape our schools for the future. And I would encourage every parent in Basingstoke to consider how they can support our schools. Parents becoming School Governors is one way we can ensure our schools reflect the high ambitions of our parents. Details can be found on Hampshire County Council's website"
