Parents react with anger as academy scraps diploma with one year to go
A GROUP of Cleethorpes pupils face changing schools in their final year because Academy bosses have scrapped a course they are half way through completing.
As reported, Lindsey School and Community Arts College will reopen in September as Cleethorpes Academy.
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Cleethorpes Academy principal Martin Brown, left, and chief executive David Hampson have defended the decision to axe the course.
On Monday, parents of six Year 10 boys studying the Engineering Diploma at Lindsey school received a letter stating it would be scrapped when the academy opens.
The decision has outraged pupils, who have already completed one year of the two year course.
Determined to finish what they started, some of the boys are considering changing schools to Whitgift or Hereford who also run the diploma.
Mum, Sally Williams of Cleethorpes said her 15-year-old son Dale saw the diploma as a way to fast-track his engineering ambitions.
She said: “We try to teach our kids to do something and see it out to the end but the principal is not allowing them to do that. Why can’t they just run it for this year and then scrap it?
“He doesn’t want to move schools - it means leaving his friends and missing his prom. He has built up some great friendships there.”
Classmate Lewis Cately wants to become an engineer to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps, and is moving to Hereford Technology School in September so that he can continue the course, which is held at Whitgift School, and supported by Hereford, which releases the pupils for two days a week to do it. This is also what had been happening at Lindsey.
His mum Sarah Appleton said Lewis feels let down by the Academy. She said: “I don’t want to take Lewis out of the school, it is his last year and moving schools will be harsh.
“I just don’t see why it would affect the academy.
“He is a really bright lad on his way to completing the diploma, which will hopefully fast track him to get an apprenticeship.”
Lewis will now start at Hereford in September and another teenager, Daniel Rutter, will move to Whitgift.
His mum Samantha added: “He has spent a year doing the diploma. It is going to be such a waste. It is like he has done it all for nothing and it seems sad for him to move schools when he only has eight months left. This is something he wants to finish.”
The academy’s principal, Martin Brown, and chief executive David Hampson said they felt the diploma was affecting the boys’ performances in core curriculum subjects like English, maths, science and ICT and that scrapping it was in the best interest for them and future pupils.
Mr Brown said: “We have major concerns over the impact these diplomas have over the delivery of the core curriculum. Our key concern is at the end of Year 11 each student leaves with the mix of qualifications they need to go on to further their education.”
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by bubbs, gy
Thursday, July 29 2010, 12:23PM
“Having attended a meeting with Mr Hampson, staff and other mothers of children affected by the ending of the Diploma. Feel Mr Hampson has indeed taken into consideration the needs of our children and Tollbar Edge will do their best for them.”
by My child has left thank god, Cleethorpes
Friday, July 23 2010, 9:17AM
“Looking at all the comments on this subject, I see the best way forward is to hold a meeting for all parents. That way Mr Hampson and co could tell them what they are doing with the school. They could also, maybe let the parents have a say. But I don't think he would do this. Prove me wrong Mr Hampson, be a man and face the parents. Even better let GT be at the meeting.”
by Sally Williams, Cleethorpes
Friday, July 23 2010, 8:53AM
“My son is doing the engineering diploma. He too is not failing his core subjects - in fact his maths is excellent.
I feel that Tollbar are just using this as an excuse to scrap the dipolmas.
They do not care about the childrens educated, just making sure that there grades are high so they can warrant there high salaries.
What is the education authories thinking giving full control to a guy like this!!!!!!!!”
by Bubbs, Grimsby
Friday, July 23 2010, 8:24AM
“My daughter was one of over eight (Mr) Duignan, in of fact fifteen happy students that were on the Creative and Media Course at Lindsey. Doing very well, and not failing her core subjects!! Effectively his scrapping the course, one year in, has created many disillusioned parents and students. Who are also extremely angry. This is a very shabby affair auctioneered (I believe fits well here) by Mr Hampson. I, and the others, are seeking answers and will not let this rest. My daughter has no idea what the 'other GCSE' she is 'supposed' to be working towards in September 2010 as she and the parents were only informed a week before the Summer Term holidays. The ethos of Toll Bar Edge claims it will teach children about democracy... I feel at the moment we are being dictated to.”
by tony, gy
Thursday, July 22 2010, 10:57PM
“Sorry * Over 40 staff have left the school not 40 staff have left the performing arts.
My apoligies , I was sooo mad!”
by tony, Grimsby
Thursday, July 22 2010, 10:56PM
“NORMAN- Staff changes have happened due to Hampson getting rid of the staff (not them leaving on their own accord) Over 40 staff have have left performing arts and diploma and engineering. This has not just h append to the engineering course it also happened to the creative and media diploma, where around 20 students take this course as well. People need to get their facts right.”
by Mark, cleethorpes
Thursday, July 22 2010, 9:51PM
“I know for a fact that Hampson & co are just as unpopular with the teaching profession as they seem to be with some parents.
It only takes people power to form a group to protest against this dictatorship in a big way , which would make Hampson & Co`s position unsustainable , putting pressure on the directors of Tollbar Edge and forcing resignations !!”
by Angry Aunt Dorset, portland dorset
Thursday, July 22 2010, 7:43PM
“I moved away 9 years ago as there was not the Engineering training my son was looking for, if this course had been available then he would have had a kick start to what has turned out to be a successful career (We had to move 300 miles to achieve this). The head is wrong saying they are not achieving in core maths and IT, I have 2 Engineers in my family and they have both said that as part of the course the boys are taking they will be doing applied maths and IT relating to the Engineering work they are doing surely he cannot argue with that. Not everyone wants to sit behind a computer.”
by Chris, Cleethorpes
Thursday, July 22 2010, 6:34PM
“There are noticeably few defenders for the chief executive on this. Most people seem to think there is something very wrong here. How could the council possibly have agreed to throw away their authority to an unelected quango that can just do as it likes?
I agree with Insight in a sense but I would suggest it would be much more economical and make more educational sense to remove the chief executive and the Edge and employ proper heads for the schools.
The saving would be colossal and the results for the children probably a lot better.”
by Sally Williams, Cleethorpes
Thursday, July 22 2010, 4:54PM
“The kids attend Whitgift on Thursdays and Fridays for the engineering course.
They have their own staff and full engineering workshops set up for this course.
Staff levels is not the problem. Its just that Tollbar will not release the kids on the two days to attend Whitgift.”