‘Choose us’ appeal to parents by secondary school facing closure

Burnholme Community College, the smallest secondary in York is facing being shut down over concerns that it will no longer be viable after just 40 primary age pupils applied to join it in September.

York Council wrote to parents last week outlining plans to close the school after pupils in years nine, 10 and 11 have completed their GCSE year.

However Burnholme’s assistant head Graham Reagan is calling on parents who have decided to choose other schools as their first choice to change their minds.

The school needs 30 parents to come forward by Thursday to show education bosses that it could have a future.

He said: “At a meeting on Wednesday last week there was also lots of passion in the voices of parents and humbling testimonials about the school I am proud to work in.

“Many were looking to blame but sadly the economic truth is that with a proposed intake of just 40 students the school would not be viable. As our head teacher Simon Gumn has said on several occasions: ‘Use it or lose it’.

“One thing came from the public meeting that has hitherto not been mentioned; it was made clear that if the school was able to attract just 30 more students from the current year six population of the city by March 1; we would stay open.

“We would continue to have improved GCSE results, we would continue to provide a “good” education and ensure our students meet national standards of achievement.” Mr Reagan said that the parents of 40 children in their last year at primary school had chosen Burnholme as their first choice from a possible catchment areas of 133.

There were then 47 more who made Burnholme their second choice. Mr Reagan said: “If just 30 of those changed their minds we could continue to provide excellent teaching and small class numbers.

“I fully appreciate that parents have a free choice of where their children are educated and I do understand what a very important decision it is.

“However, when the choice was made I wonder how many parents actually realised that by choosing another school Burnholme would face closure?

“The proposed phased closure is logical but it doesn’t not take into account the emotional upheaval of such a change.

“Many students already feel demoralised, worthless and let down. So, in view of the strength of feeling from our current parents and the worries of our current students I would simply ask the families of the 47 students who made Burnholme their second choice - and indeed those who made Burnholme their third choice - to think again, this time fully knowing the impact their choice could have on a strong and passionate community – they now have the power to save a school and save the heart of a community.

“If those parents wish to take a further look around Burnholme at any time this week or find out how to change their preferences they simply need to contact the school and let us know.”

Mr Reagan said the news of the school’s possible closure has been met with “anger, dismay and disbelief” by pupils and parents at the school along with those families who have chosen to send their children to the school starting in September.

York Council will be holding a consultation on the closure plans from next month.

If the closure was agreed then 172 students in years nine, 10 and 11 - currently between the ages of 13 and 16 - would all finish their education at Burnholme before it closes.

The 114 pupils in the first two years of the school would move to new schools in 2013 and 2014 in order to start GCSE courses in neighbouring schools.