Public / Parent Consultation

•Admissions 2017 – co-ed•New school name

The process and timeline of consultation

Dates Event

9th November Consultation begins – all stakeholders

9th-13th November Student consultation – assemblies; feedback; drop-ins

12th November Parent / Public consultation meeting

13th November Students vote to express preference for a new school name

17th November Parent drop-in consultation meeting

3rd December Parent / Public consultation meeting

5th January Consultation period ends

7th January Governors meet to review the consultation and decide whether or not to proceed with the proposed changes to admissions.

Why make this proposal?• Choice – currently students and parents of Boys and Girls

cannot choose a mixed selective school to attend in our local area.

• Fairness – students from New Horizons who pass the 11+ should have the opportunity to stay on the site of “their” school.

• Support for all schools in the community – a mixed grammar school supporting a mixed high school.

• Efficiency – currently the school has underutilised capacity that means we cannot offer all the opportunities and support we would wish to for our students

Why Now?• Positive momentum provides the opportunity to

make a change from a position of strength.• Changes in the local demographic means that we

are better able to meet future demand for places in the local area.

• Staffing changes mean that we have a significant group of staff who have relevant experience to make this a success.

• We are already a successful co-educational sixth form

How will the school change?• Current students – no change – they will still have the

experience of a “Boys” Grammar School.

• Future students – build on our strengths – the House system; the cognitive approach to education; the supportive environment but now girls and boys will be able to access the school.

• The School name – it is inappropriate to maintain the name – however, Holcombe is a very important aspect of the school and maintains many of the current links to the “Old Boys” and the parents association.