Community Gathering and Petition Hand-In

The phenomenal support this petition has received shows how strongly parents and other stakeholders feel about staffing in our local school. It also demonstrates a community coming together in the belief that working in partnership we can find a better alternative to the challenges facing James Peacock. You are invited to join us on Tuesday morning, before school drop off, to demonstrate to the Head Teacher and Chair of Governors that we are determined to work with them to explore alternative options. Local press and regional figures will be in attendance as we celebrate our commitment to the future of our school.

I know that like me, you will want to to ensure that this is a positive event that will not obstruct the School's business in any way. With that in mind, we will be meeting on the grassy hill outside of the front school gates, away from the road and keeping pathways into the school clear. I have also contacted the local police to advise them of these plans, to ask for planning input and to invite them to discuss any concerns. No concerns have been raised and the event will be managed in a manner that is sensitive to the needs of all children, parents and school staff.

At the event, we will be asking for a commitment from the School to hold a public meeting to see if we can find a workable solution that doesn't involve reducing the number of staff in our over-sized classrooms. We will also ask again for details of the financial challenges and of the alternatives that have been explored so far.

Since the petition was launched, parents have had two letters of reply: one from the Chair of Governors and one from the Head Teacher. Neither of these letters have provided any details to explain the sudden appearance of the deficit nor of what other alternatives might be possible. Instead, parents have been given only the same vague assurances, combined with an overall sense that the Head Teacher wishes to conduct his work behind closed doors, excluding the majority of stakeholders from a process that will take well-loved teaching assistants away from our children.

It is therefore important that we have a strong and constructive show of support to mark the formal submission of our petition. Please come along and of course children are welcome!