Features

What do you think of the proposed changes to the education system in Suffolk?

E. R
I think the jump from primary school to middle school is a big one for primary school studants, because although middle schools are smaller than high schools, they work the same way. I am sad to see the middle schools go but the rest of the country manages.

Mrs Linda Lee
We the residents of pakefield have set up our own action group called ERASE (enraged residents against school expansion). Pakefield is no way going to be bigh enough for a high school of the size they will need when all the have years to go until there completion.There is no access into the school for this volume of students, as you know the site is shared with the primary school which has also got to grow to accmodate2 more years of students.Pakefield is which is mainly built up of elderly residents, and you can see this by looking at the 2001 census. Suffolk County Council must reconsider thier proposel for pakefield, as this is an unfit site, for the size of school which will eventually be needed.

Sarah Taylor
I think it's a good idea just having primary and high school.However now surely the schools will be more cramped have more pupils per class and the children who are behind will now have less notice taken of them resulting in lower grades.

mrs v seago
Although against the changes, I am delighted that Pakefield has been chosen as the new high school sight. The schools reputation and results appear second to none and I hope they are given the correct resources and finances to keep up the fantastic skills and reputation they have achieved in the middle school.

Anon. Pakefield
Why has Pakefield Middle School been picked as the site of the new High School in Lowestoft, when it was the parents bottom choice. It is slap bang in the middle of a housing estate populated by the majority of older people. The top choice from people in the Area was Gisleham middle school! It was announced that the government listened to the view of us and once again we were not heard!! What a load of rubbish

Georgia Marshall
I am seriously annoyed that the 2-tier system because the 6th years will be mixed in with the 9th years so bullying may occur more often than usual. Also schools will be very large, having about 6 year groups in each school!!!

becky
i think getting rid of middle school is a bad idea because you can mix 9 year olds with upper school children and the 6 former. the schools will need to be made bigger. if you move children to a upper it will make them grow up quicker there time will come when they are ready so let them decide

James
As a teacher I am getting out of Suffolk. The Counsillors who made the decision for move will kill the education of our most vunerable that I work with. I can't stay and watch this happen.John Smith Please do - a new teacher who is familiar with spelling and grammar might raise the county's educational standards!

Ruth Coomber
It might interest the Education Chiefs to know that we moved to Suffolk in order to benefit from the 3 tier system. The reason for the higher attainmet at age 11 is the cramming that takes place in the two tier system, which is what we wanted to avoid. We also wanted to avoid sending our 11 yr old to an education factory of 1,400 children, and instead send him to a school with a more manageable 300. His middle school is fantastic - all the benefits of secondary (better facilities etc) and none of the drawbacks (size of classes, size of older children etc).

ellie
i dont want middle schools to close because i found it really nice not having to make a big jump from being with 5 year olds to being with 16 year olds . what is the point off all this anyway ?

Emma
I can't see scrapping middle schools as being a good thing. Were they not needed to curb school sizes in the first place? This will probably lead to a huge waste of money and end up with abandoned schools all over the county being left to fall into disrepair. The only problem I can see is that some primary schools allow their brighter children to flourish and sometimes they are kept behind repeating work already done and not advanced and pushed to their best ability. Some how there is a failure to share appropriate information in this way. Ideally the school systems should stay the same and intelligent pupils rise the ranks quicker.

Mark
I think middle schools should stay because children of 11 being mixed with high school students (16) and sixth formers (18) could overwhelming for some people of that age (11). Middle schools provide resonble education and so they should stay, they also help young people socialy in their transition from middle to upper school. All too often politicians promise to listen to the people and sort out our problems in society (vote catching) but all those promises are shallow and that shallowness has been displayed in this issue. This decision has been made despite the fact people aren't happy and don't want it - it's all wrong.

Vivien Dockerty - Australia
As an old pupil of WSCGS, leaving in about 1958, I don't understand why the system was good enough without a middle school, then middle schools were invented and now they're not good enough! I was proud to be grown up enough to go to WSCGS and it is about time children everywhere were given sufficient respect that they know there are certain expectations of them, they then might rise to the occasion. Going to the grammar was a right of passage for me and I was grateful for my experience there.

kathryn Ash
hi.i.do.wont.are.school.to.go.so.keep.it.ok.

kevin o'leary
i WENT TO PRIMARY SCHOOL NOT MIDDLE SCHOOL AND IT DID NOT HARM ME.ALSO MIIDDLE SCHOOLS I FEEL JUST DISTRUPT CHILDREN WHEN MOVING FROM SCHOOL TO SCHOOL

John Smith
As a teacher I am getting out of Suffolk. The Counsillors who made the decision for move will kill the education of our most vunerable that I work with. I can't stay and watch this happen.

Robert
Dear Sir,I would like to congratulate Derrick Haley (Conservative Thurston)on his works within the area and have found him to be a great worker for our local issues and I have been a supporter of the Conservative Party for all my voting life (I'm 50 years old now). Rightly or wrongly, my family have also followed in the same way believing in the values and ideals of the Conservative Party, agreeing with all their policies throughout their recent history, even the radical views of Margaret Thatcher. I now, however, find that I cannot support that Party any further, which saddens me greatly. This is because of a single issue and whilst it is not my local Councillor who is directly accountable for this policy I will not be able to vote for "them" in the future. The policy I refer to is the abolition of Middle Schools. I consider this to be the biggest retrograde step that any Local Authority could make and with exception of three tory Councillors for Suffolk County Council have done so. They were not voted in to do this and I saw no reference to this within any manifesto I read. They have not carried out full consultation with the parents, the children or the workforce of this system and I suspect, having listened to one of Patricia O'Brien's interviews/speeches/tirade on the Radio, would not have acted upon any adverse views that she may have heard. When leader of the Conservative Party, David Cameron, attended at Stowmarket in the past few days he was asked for his views about this but he failed to provide a proper answer stating that he would involve himself within "local" issues. I thought that this was what politics was all about, serving the electorate and listening to the electorate's views. He failed in this case. At the foot of this email is one that I sent to David Ruffley and again received no proper reply giving me his views. His reply was : "I know your views and am very sorry to hear of your decision. Thanks for letting me know David Ruffley" I think this reply is appalling and gives me no hope for the future of education within Suffolk. He did not even provide a reasoned reply giving good reasons for the abolition of these schools. As I can only reiterate that I am saddened to have withdraw my support for the Conservative Party and will be voting for any party that pledges to reverse the decision of the Conservative controlled Council of Suffolk County. I would enjoy the opportunity to discuss this with any of the Conservative candidates but I don't think this to be very likely. Sincerely, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Dear Sir, I refer to your comment on your website “That’s where schools with specialist status come in. It was once said: “The schools of the country are its future in miniature.” Well, I have seen the future at schools like County Upper, Thurston Community College, KEGS, and Stowupland High School. (And I was particularly honoured and delighted to speak as a Guest of Honour at the dinner to celebrate 50 years of Stowmarket High School).” All the schools you have mentioned above are the product of a three tier education system. They, and the Middle Schools, are the finest examples of education today but the recent vote by the Conservative controlled Council (Suffolk County Council) has sounded the end for our system and irrespective of the fine words of the motion passed. I refer to such words as “have a clear consensus of support within the local community arrived at by thorough local consultation, have majority support from the governing bodies involved”. These words obviously mean nothing as the Local Authority has already heard the views of the local communities and I, certainly, have heard of no words of support locally for a two tier system. My wife and I have been staunch supporters of the Conservative Party and thought that they had local issues at heart but in the space of a few months have been totally alienated by yourselves. The results from the two tier system in Ipswich have been falling year on year whilst the schools in my area are

alison boyce
we want middle schools,It is disgracefull and as per usual the real people that matter dont get heard our children and us alike are just numbers and we never get a say. i went to a two tier system and i definatly wouldnt reccommend it the things i was hearing from the six formers was not what a child of 11 should be hearing or seeing to that matter.

maria bird
what a load of drivel the three tier system was perfect giving children the opportunity to move through the system without having to cope with children much older than them to soon. And to say that children in the three tier system did not achieve is total rubbish Suffolk schools had some of the best results in the UK. It's just another excuse by the council to waste money changing something that did not need to be changed.

Steve Harding
"£23 million will be spent on the process of assessing the scheme" - And that is on people looking at it, how much will it cost to implement? I bet the council don't know, or they won't say. Because by the time the study is finished it will be old news. How about the council stop wasting money paying consultants an huge wage, and start using the funding for things that the Kids will see in the classroom? Each school in Suffolk could be given nearly £65,000 rather than fund the study. And thats JUST the study. So Ok, maybe if the standard of education in three tier systems is lower then why not make improvements to the system rather than get rid of it? Surley the fact the system isn't delivering best results means the council aren't delivering the leadership, resources and support the schools need. I'm affraid this is further evidence that we are participants in the council world, rather than being members of it.

D. Hoffman
Totally against it, my daughter has special needs and will certainly not cope in a large high school at 11 years old. I will need to look at home education if this goes ahead.

Phillip
Whether people who favour the 2-tier system (for whatever reason, including mercenary ones) like it or not, it is hardly fair to accuse parents who do not want the system to change of not thinking that children are central to the whole thing. It just happens that 3-tier parents think that their children get more out of that system. The "let's pull together" lot (who may well be Suffolk County Concillors or employees of the County for all I know), seem unable to accept that there is a "black hole" in front of those who favour 3-tier. If this whole exercise had been conducted with honesty, candour and something other than the sensibilities of a raging bull in a china shop, then people might well view things differently. But it hasn't and anyone who pretends otherwise is kidding him/herself.

Daniel Hutchinson, Lincoln
As a Conservative I am thoroughly disgusted by the Council’s decision to drop the three-tier system. Reading through the report, it seemed to me the arguments for going to a two-tier system were purely economic, but I truly wonder if the Cabinet have thought through the cost implications. As a former student of Lowestoft’s Roman Hill Middle and Primary and The Denes High School, I seriously question how Roman Hill Primary and The Denes can expand at all. I wonder, too, how much consultation the Council had with current pupils of the three-tier system?Although I am studying at university and very rarely have the opportunity to visit Lowestoft, I continue to take a keen interest in what is happening in Lowestoft and Suffolk. I can only hope that the Parents Against Change action group will win the day, as I’m sure they will.

alan h bolton
I'm a teacher in a middle school in suffolk. We have just finished our production of We Will Rock You which was performed to an extremely high standard. Those kids woould not have that opportunity in the two tier system! All our staff offer at least six hours clubs per week. The High schools and Primaries offer nothing.

Katie Cartwright
The whole process is about saving money! Its not about the children and it should be! Why change something that has worked for the past 33 yrs in suffolk, its not about which system is better we all know that both systems work so why change something that isn't broken, it seems a waste of time and resourses to me! My children currently go to a village primary school, what will happen if the change goes ahead? there is no room for expansion so does that mean it will close and my children will be bused further away, i certainly wouldn't be happy to put my 5 yr old on a bus! Things should stay as they are! Suffolk county councellors need to start listening to the people who voted them in! I always though they were there for us, but obviously this isn't the case, i won't be voting my councellor back in thats for sure!!!

Steven
I Have worked in both 2 and 3 tier systems and be through a reorganisation of schools beforew. The 2 tier system is better and less disruptive to children and their learning. Of course suffolk middle schools do a good job but so do the first schools. Suffolk campaigners have to look beyond the county boundaries and see the results country wide. It is no good just to stick their heads in the sand and pretend change isn't happening and that is for the best in the long run. Now the decision has been made everyone should pull together to implement the change to a 2 tier system as quickly and as smoothly as possible for the benefit of the children and staff. If campaigners keep causing difficulties we will all know that the children are not cental to there cause.

John
My concern is that the change over will be done on the cheap. I have taught for over 20 years, I know that the true cost of the change will be under estimated. The cost of building programmes, transport costs, staffing etc can be planned for in advance. School resourcing, transitional staffing, unexpected problems with building projects involving building modification and extension will all be under estimated. They always are. The stress of change which is not properly planned is what worries most teachers. Resources are thrown at the top end planning, the planning of curriculum and structural change at the middle management and chalk face level is always expected on the cheap. This demands a lot of staff, especially when comnsiderable change is taking place anyway. If I was a parent concerned about the changes, whether for or against it, I would want to see the time line planning for my particular pyramid. And if I could get access to it, I would want to look well beyond the build program and look at how the changes in curriculum provision and delivery are being planned for.

claire seaman - lowestoft
has anybody thought about the children what they want, at the end the day its all about them, they don't need this disruption, this will be a very bad move if it goes ahead

mrs claire seaman
i think this proposed change is not necessary it will disrupt children's education, i have a son who has one more year in primary school and then due to go into middle school and if this proposal goes ahead he will have to do one year in middle school and then go back to primary school til he is 11, i am not happy atall if this goes ahead and i am not alone either every parent i have been in contact with has said the same thing this proposal is no good.

Mr N Parkin
Having been educated in the two tier system, I am all for the change. The chance for my children to hold onto some of the inncence of being at primry school, that bit longer can not be a bad thing. For them then to go to secondry school, in one step is all the more simpler. My only concern is that as yet we have not been told as to where the children will be classed, will the current middle school buildings be used for this? From my own experiance,my school was seperated into lower middle and upper, with seperate play grounds, and facilities. Though all under the one school name. This provided time for the younger children to become accustomed to a larger school, but keeping the ages too three year age blocks 9-13 13-17 17+

Laura Newton
I don't see the point! I am a pupil of a middle school in Stowmarket and all my teachers specialize in certain subjects, such as my form tutor who is an author of childrens books and is a local historian. If year 5 and 6 attend primary school they wouldn't get laboratorys like we at my middle school, they wouldn't beable to learn an instrument at that age like I did and I'm about to do my Grade 3 clarnet tomorrow! They say that they want the best education for us, but without what my school provides, I can't see that happening! Anyway I think suffolk should keep our middle schools as Suffolk is unique for having middle schools!

Jackie Waters
I think it's terrible as my youngest child is going to move up and then go back again to the primary school.

Jo
I was a pupil at Beyton many years ago and i absolutely loved that school and its the one main thing i miss. I just cannot believe that my children will not be able to have the same school system than what i had due to councillors decisions. Looking at some 16-17 year olds now a days i dread the day my kids will be mixing with them at still such a young age

sally wainman
i listened to the whole five hour debate and the outcome was depressing; some very poor arguments were used in support of the motion: one councillor said that abolishing the middle schools was like asking someone to marry you: you didn't need to work out the details in advance! This means the vote to close the schools has been passed without any clear idea at all of what happens next, apart from a massive expenditure of money.

matthew cope suffolk, stowmarket
i think that us kids should decide if middle schools have to be scraped or not the council are rong

jordan coult
i think that middle schoos sould not be closed down because i have been in a i 2 tier school and i came to a 3 tier school at the old of 12 asnd i think it is much better the my old school beause you have a teacher that is good at wot they for doing MAN.U IS THE BEST TREETON RULES

Jesica Ellis
I think this idea will completey go wrong once the new system starts up ! Children will hate the new school system because it is going to be too confusing. children will be confused in the newer system because th younger children will have to go to upper schools and the older will have to try and get along with the younger children. Older children will have to be more mature because younger children will be paraniod about the system. Instead of middle schools going, why dosent the goverment just put more money into schools so they improve ! I am 13 and the system wont affect me as much but my younger brother and other family members will have to go through the changes ! The goverment should re-think this idea and consider putting more money into the schools to prevent all the 44 schools from changing ! Also mixing younger and old students will increase the use of drugs and violence in the area.

trevor stimpson
i think that its boloks that this is gonna happen middle schools are much better than having them all banged up in one school it will be to crowded so then the kids will be messed up

Roberta Ibbison-Steele
I Think this is stupid... Why can't it stay the same?? There's nothing wrong with it. Children are fine with the way the schools are! Even with the middle schools children have more education! Changing this will most probably give the people less education, I think that it's ridiculous.

Charlotte...
I dont want middle schools to go because we are in year 8 now and when other years come up to out school (high school) it is going to annoy us and also it isnt very good for the 4 year / 5 year olds beacause they will have to go to a big school with 11 year olds and they wont know what to do or nothing. I think it is a stupiid idea. Children are having more education at middle schools than others. Changing it will make them get a worse education which means they wont get a good job. I think it is very stupid and unnapropriate.

Jenna
Middle Schools are fine as they are. Changing to a two tier system would just promote bullying, drugs and smoking. children will be pushed to mature quicker as they are hurried along through the two schools whereas the 3 tier system is helping to cut bullying and support younger children!

Norman Baker
What a waste of money.Why change somthing that isnt broken If there is money to spend use it on something more wanting.

Peter Byatt
The Lowestoft branch of the N.U.T. is most concerned about the recent statement issued by Wendy Garrard, head teacher representative on the stakeholder panel advising Suffolk County Council on proposed reforms to the County education services. Mrs.Garrard stated that head teachers of primary schools in the Western Area of the county unanimously support the proposals to adopt the two-tier system, thereby closing Middle Schools. She went on to say that up until now she had kept quiet about their views “ to be sensitive to our middle school colleagues.” Something missing from all of the publicity about the proposed changes is the effect it will have on many primary schools. If Middle Schools do close, then pupils fromYears 5 and 6 will have to be absorbed by the primary schools. Putting aside the concerns about temporary accommodation, there will be substantial increases to the roll of the primary schools which are able to expand. The salaries of teachers in the Leadership Group – Heads, Deputy Heads and Assistant Heads – are directly related to the Group of their school. The Group is determined by the number of “points” awarded to the school based on pupil numbers. At present each child up to the end of Key Stage Two (11) is worth 7 points. If we take a school such as Mrs Garrard’s, with some 280 pupils, their point score would be just under 2000, placing them in Group 2, with a salary range of 40,000 to 55,000 for the head teacher. If they were then to increase their roll by 100 with Years 5 and 6, this would mean that the school would go into Group 3, with a salary range of 43,500 to 60,000. It would seem from this that the Western Area Heads have voted themselves a substantial and inflation- busting pay rise. I am sure that members of the public will have their own view on this, but it is reminiscent of the worst excesses of the last Conservative Government! The Lowestoft Association of the N.U.T. are keen to know the views of head teachers in the Northern Area of the County.

Mr.P.M.Helliwell
So Suffolk County Council is "listening", is it? Mr Blair and his team of the day "listen" too, so I am confident that all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.

David Curran
I have taught now since 1970 and can honestly say that the middle school I now teach in is the best school for children that I have ever been part of. The county council plans will wreck the chances of children for many years to come. It is a great shame.

Sarah Harris
I teach in a village primary ...we don't have the space or resources to give the children what middle schools can...how many primarys will now close or lose their family atmosphere...the only teachers I have met who endorse the change are either secondary school teachers or heads !!! And doesn't Ipswich have infant, junior and scondary schools ???? Isn't that 3 tiers !!!!!!

faery
The change is logical. It fits with most of the rest of the country. It is easier for people with problems. Most of the objections are from people who have a knee jerk reaction to change.

DAVID FORD
My grandchildren have been tought fantastic in there middle school , i,m proud of them and the schools , call this a democracy ??? , no way , its dictatorship , they hav,nt listened to a word , just remember at the next election who voted for this at endevour house i want to see my little grandaughter get the same great education as her elder sister [not in a portacabin] , we can,t let them win , let them think they have won the battle , now its war , 42 of them , they ignored 30,000 signitures ,we can beat them somehow,,,, dave , not the other mr d ford on here

Darren Bullard
Whats all this "our" children stuff, I bet 90% of all councillers that voted in favour of these terrible proposals do not have children in school at all. Just remember, we will find out who voted in favour and can only say that your days as councillors are numbered. the next council elections will see the lot of you thrown out by the democratic majority, (funny those words, as they are exactly what the councillors ignored)

Josh
This is pathetic, were are letting our 9 year old children be introduced with teenagers, this means more bulling, more drugs and the world would eventually end and be ruled by giant apes

Sally Gilks
I think it is despicable that the parents have been ignored - I went to a Suffolk Middle School and have chosen to send my children to the same school as I enjoyed my time their - once again the children don't matter!!

ian
1 gcse level for 130 kids out of 5000- fact from suffolk c.c. can we afford millions and millions of pounds for that measure of improvement?

cummings
who is going to pay for newunifoms when child starts onescool and then has to move to a newone.this is going to afect people on low incomes

Middle School Maths Specialist
If Primary school teachers did their jobs of teaching children properly instead of wasting time there would be no problems. An English graduate, with the best will in the world, cannot and should not teach mathematics - many do in primary schools.

Mr D Ford
If young children are mixed with older pupils, the quicker drug habits will be formed, there will be a rapid decline in drug abuse.

Ellen
To quote: sam trafford i think it is ridiculous- as a student who attended middle school i feel much more confident in changing schools, and making more friends by the day. Are you trying to suggest you wouldn't have made friends in a 2-tier system? What a joke! Both systems work well, in my opinion. The vast majority of people i know went through the 2 tier system, did GCSE's, A-Levels and Degrees. There is no disadvantage by being in a 2 tier system.

Rose-Marie Grenville-Smith
Why change a good system that is working - my children went through the 3 tier systema and speaking from personal experience I think it is vastly superior to the 2 tier system. 13 is the best age for youngsters to go to upper school Rosie Grenville-Smith

Beverley
The three tier system is excellent and has served my five children well. From reading the views expressed here it would appear that most are opposed to change. Has nobody listened?

Tina
The comment just made on Radio Suffolk about a lack of male teachers in middle schools is not correct. My 11-year old son attends the excellent Blackbourne Middle School in Stanton, where there are several male teachers, and is enjoying school for the first time in his life. The teachers and staff there, and I am sure in all other middle schools, just want to get on with the job of teaching the children. This afternoon's decision is severely affecting their morale. Please, councillors, leave their school alone and use the millions of pounds to purchase more books, equipment, etc for all schools in Suffolk

Mr Fisk
In reply to the question from a primary Headteacher "Middle Schools should be restructured. Why did the majority of Western Area Primary Headteachers vote for change at a meeting in the summer 2006?" Maybe its got something to do with the fact that Head teachers get a payment on the number of children attending school. Close middle schools and primary schools will gain pupils, are we suprised that they voted for change and a pay increase?

Mrs Kjesten Cullimore
Suffolk's Middle Schools provide a huge range of pastoral support for children from the ages of 9-13 - the time of growing and puberty. This type of specialist individual attention cannot be replicated by high schools. Middle Schools provide a fantastic service to the community as a whole and will be dreadfully missed when Suffolk County Council have their way and get rid of them. This decision should most definitely be reversed.

Brian Norman
They seem to be making a decision without knowing what it will mean for the pupils. They have refused to answer my question on what will be the size of the high schools when they scrap the middle schools. I would guess well over 2000 pupils - yet they say the optimum is 1200. They need to think first then make a decision.

Ms Smith
If a teacher isn't inspiring the children then no amount of money will change that. Why do they think that spending money, relocating but using the same teachers will provide a better education?

John
How can they change a system that is woeking well, without informing us parents as to how it will affect our local schools and our children.

Tina
why change something that is working!!!

Tim Leggatt
The worst aspect of these changes will be that the new schools created will not necessarily be part of the state education system. This is privatisation of the education system by the back door, and this shows the real intention of both Labour and Tory councillors to hand control of education to their "friends " in big business.

Rosemary
I can not find anything to convince me that my daughter will not suffer from lower standards when she will be in the possible last two years of Middle School existance. I am sure the quality teachers will have left and moral will be at an all time low. So different to when I went to Middle School when it was new and exciting. (Older mother) I remain convinced that the County Council have already made their minds up and feel nothing we can say or do will affect the outcome. I have supported meetings etc, but as my daughter is not actually attending a school yet (private nursery) I have received no literature regarding the possible closures and yet my daughter will be affected greatly by any possible change to the system! I feel cheated at being excluded when it is my daughters education which could be at risk!!

Tara
Two of my three children currently attend Middle School. Not only do I think that the Middle School system works extremely well but when I asked my children THEIR opinion one of their first comments was that when they first started at Middle School how 'brilliant' it was to be taught science by an a Science teacher, PE by a PE teacher.

Jessica Laws
I think it is a great idea, this way the pupils will benefit from the same surroundings and will be able to concentrate on the work rather than getting used to so much continuing. i think from reading the points below people appear to be missing the main points surrounding this change.

MR J FISK
If the second stage is to be carried out with a measured and careful approach, WHY wasn't the first stage also carried out corectly?

Michael
I must say the build up to this announcement is a total farce. I am a governor of a local school and all the paper work we have had from the council has been so far one-sided it’s amazing. Shame on all.

Dennis Perry
I think that if a system is working well, as it appears to be in the case of Parkway Middle School, Haverhill, then the County council should leave it alone and concentrate on individual schools which need sorting out. If the SATS results from schools are an indication of thier achievements then Parkway is performing well above average for all schools not just other middle schools

Suzie
Not all of the county has a three tier system there are success stories in the two tier system My three children all went to East Bergholt High school and all did very well. In fact people move into the catchment area in order that their children can go there.

Save Suffolk Middle Schools
The only solution to this catastrophe is a full INDEPENDENT REVIEW of all aspects of education in its local context. The scrutiny of independent universities is not sufficient since they do not have the full range of data available and are physically distanced from local trends and issues. One of these universities raised serious questions regarding the Review. Have these now been answered to their satisfaction or have they simply been ignored in the same fashion as those of other concerned parties?

Save Suffolk Middle Schools
Suffolk County Council has not carried out this Review in a professional, impartial manner since they have employed the following underhand tactics to force through their POLITICAL agenda: • The Consultation Questionnaires were initially only distributed inside a free County Council newsletter (at a cost of over £30,000). The majority of households receiving communications of this nature simply put them into their recycling bins with barely a second glance. The importance of the questionnaires was also serious played down so that the majority of those who did see them thought that they were simply part of a fact-finding exercise about a vague possibility in the fairly distant future. • For the reasons given above, only 4,744 responses to the Questionnaire were received, of which only 1,500 people wanted a two-tier system (including those who have already got it!), 2,040 people wanted a three-tier system and 640 people wanted an unspecified different system. This is from an eligible population of 485,000 adults. Despite this, Suffolk County Council is passing this off as a legitimate and rigorous Consultation Process. Councillor O’Brien has even made the absolutely unbelievable claim that the people of Suffolk “are too lazy” to bother reading the information given and fill out the questionnaire! The response since the proposals have been properly publicised by Parents’ Groups, shows how untrue and deeply insulting this statement is. • Pupils were invited to attend the original consultation meetings and give their views, but once the proposals had been made public, Headteachers were told in no uncertain terms that pupils MUST NOT be involved in debating or protesting against these proposals. Legitimate forums such as School Councils were also expressly forbidden from discussing these issues. This is despite a recent Suffolk County Council initiative entitled ‘Children’s Voices’, which states the importance and value of consulting children and hearing their views. • The Full Report was published on Wednesday 20th December – the day after Suffolk schools broke up for the Christmas Break. This made it impossible for the Media to contact representatives of most schools for comment. The resulting media coverage was thus extremely one-sided and any reaction to the news was stifled by preparations for the impending festivities. • Schools are being told that they MUST NOT distribute materials, canvass opinion or actively protest against the proposals and have been given answers to frequently asked questions that MUST be used when responding to parents. Not surprisingly, many parents are seeking information direct from schools on the effects that these proposals are likely to have on their children. Staff are thus put in an impossible position. If they express their true opinions, they face the (implied) threat of disciplinary action, since individual members of school staff have already been heavily 'leaned on' when showing signs of supporting the protests. If they follow the ‘party line’ they give a false impression to, and betray the trust of, the very parents who have asked them for advice and support. • Parents' Groups have been accused of distributing misleading and factually incorrect information by Suffolk County Councillors, but no details have been forthcoming about the nature of these inaccuracies, despite numerous requests. • Schools have recently been obliged to distribute two leaflets stating the Council's point of view VIA PUPILS. These leaflets have been printed and distributed using Council Funds (taxpayers’ money) in order to try and win support for it’s proposals. This method of distribution ensures that the majority of parents will receive at least one copy of the leaflets and gives a sense of legitimacy to the claims made within them. Parents’ Groups have similar information to disseminate amongst parents, but have been denied the mechanism for doing so directly via pupils. One of the leaflets even claims that the ‘Myths’ that it is trying to address are being put about by

Primary Headteacher
Middle Schools should be restructured. Why did the majority of Western Area Primary Headteachers vote for change at a meeting in the summer 2006?

Leigh Last
I'm from a three tier school system and am currently in the 8th Year in Beyton Middle School. I think that it would be a bad idea to switch over to a two tier system because of all the kids that would be involved in this, but on the other hand of the council want to switch over when is the right time? And how have other councils done it? No matter which way the council decide its not going to have any effect on me as im going to high school next year but it will effect the many people in the years below. Also, I can not see how primary schools will cope with this as most of them are already overstreched.

mrs w merchant
their policy of every child matters is wrong as they are only concerned about a-c students. we in suffolk have the higher grades in a-g so where do the rest of the pupils come ?????most of these councilors will not still be in power when the change effects us so they shouldnt have the right to mess with our childrens lives as it will effect everything and most pupils will get caught up in the system of change & will not get the grades they are capeable off or the chance off a decent job then what will they say nothing!! as they are retired on a beach as we know one certain lady has already planned.

David Smeeth-Cardy
I am a Year 12 sixth form student at St Benedicts Upper School in Bury St Edmunds. My education was via the three-tier system and I see no reason why such a successful system should be replaced after all these years. I understand the compulsory leaving age will also be raised to 18. The government is tearing a system that works and produces well-educated and successful individuals to shreds. The system works, the people WANT three-tier education. It really is that simple, Mr Blair

Barry Barker
I have two children one at Upper and one at Middle and I went to a two tier system myself. I can honestly say that the 3 tier system allows children to develop their confidence and introduces them to structured learning far better than a two tier system when suddenly you are in a school that seems to be full of much bigger and older people. The schools we have are excellent don't through it all away for a maybe!

nicola brigginshaw
Closing these schools is pure vandalism of a system which DOES work.

marlon bacon
do not close middle schools i go to a three tier school and is brilliant

Chris Romer
I must say I was surprised and dismayed to see this decision when I was last in Bury. The Middle School system, while one understands expensive,had many proven benefits. The excellence of most West Suffolk schools attest to this. Is there a website where one can view the consultation documents?

alison reid
One of the key reasons given by Suffolk County Council for proposing the move to a two-tier system is the end of Key Stage 2 SATS results. However, in a short-sighted way, they have knowingly ignored the progress reported in middle schools in Years 7 & 8. An education lecturer at the London centre for leadership and Learning, Max, Coates, recently reported: "the higher costs of buildings and extra staff" was the principle downside of a three - tier system. At a time when the Council says it is not about saving money (despite the fact that they are in the red), finance does seem to be being put before the nurture and education of young people. If the council take the decision to change on March 22nd, children's welfare will be affected from that very moment, on through the next 12 years or so.

Sammie Meekings
I am a student at Sudbury Upper School and i personaly think that changing to the two tier system is not needed as i believe that the community would prefer the three tier system, because it is much easier to educate young people when there are less of them in a class, or when there are a sustantial amount on people in just one building.

abbie may stowmarket middle school
i dnt think they should be shut down cos at the end of the day we are kids and we deserve a good education and that will affect like people who have only just started schools cos they r gonna have 2 build new 1s and close some down and we will have 2 learn in portacabins and they dnt have hardly any eqipment

sarah . suffolk.
i dont think they should because we will be left with the grumpy teachers! and it will effect many childrens education. which i dont think is fair. the council shouldnt have the right to do that. when im older i want to be a doctor or something but how will i do that if they close down my school and put me and my classmates in a porter cabin.

debbie mousley
Has anyone thought about the needs of special needs children who are already struggling through the system !

Mark Roxburgh
Be prepared for a long haul fight. Look at the www.neag.info website for just how involved Northumberland's Action Group has been, including an unprecedented judicial review.

Lynn Roxburgh
Why do local authorities fail to stand up for local issues? In Northumberland, The Isle of wight, Somerset and Staffordshire we have seen complaints that Middle Schools do not deliver when it obvious from parents and pupils they can and do. WQe should not have to structure schools to suit a central government funding strategy which disregards the social development of children from esentially rural backgrounds and whose needs are quite different over populated urban communities.In the States, Australa and Far East, eg Singapore, they are waking up to the benefits of middle schools seeing them as a good stepping stone from infancy to emerging teen to young adult in line with maturation of our young people. Why is it only money that drives our education systems?

Ed Brown
Those interested in parental choice might be interested in the Northumberland Education Action Group website at www.neag.info where there are discussions about many of the benefits of parental choice and the 3-tier system of education.

John Sammons
This is very familiar to those of us in Northumberland who have had a 2-tier system forced on us against the wishes of 35,000 signatures on a petition. A council run telephone poll showed well over 50% of people polled were against the changes but they still went ahead. I fear the days of Middle Schools are doomed. As a chair of governors at a closing Middle School I find it very sad that this excellent system is being destroyed for political gains and against the wishes of all those who are 'consulted'.

Mike Brown - Northumberland
There have been similar initiatives in most of the authorities with 3-tier schools. With so many 'initiatives' in education it defies belief that they are trying to sweep away an innovative system, especially when a number of '2-tier' systems include separate nursery, infant, junior, junior high, secondary and sixth form phases! We have some very remote areas - one high school draws 600 pupils from 600 square miles of catchment - and the middle schools provide community social links where first/primary schools are too small and high schools up to two hours travel away. Here parents formed a Northumberland Education Action Group (NEAG) and collected 35,000 signatures opposing the change. This was ignored but the council is now being held back by failure to obtain funding. It has used the limited funds it has to start change in one of our fourteen 'school pyramids' but we fear that the change is inadequately funded. Change in a second area in Blyth which already has our newest high school hangs on attracting an academy, which would leave the town with two small secondary schools and consequent problems of sixth form viability. There is no longer a timetable for the remaining twelve pyramids.

Allen Peters
Just reead my comment referring to councillors - apologies for the typo, should have said that councillors should NOT be afraid to refer mattter back.

Susannah Goward
Middle School are jewels; they are 'rare'in that only 5% of the country have them, but they truly sparkle, and how lucky we are to be in that 5%. As parents and teachers we need to do all we can to keep Suffolk shining.

Mr John Fisk
Dear Sir/Madam, As a regular viewer living in north Suffolk I am surprised by your apparent lack of interest in a major story that has implications for, Pupils, Parents and staff who are currently under a cloud of school closures. These closures will affect the people of Suffolk not only in the near future but have the possibility of blighting the education of a generation. The proposed change in some areas of Suffolk from 3 tier to a blanket 2 tier system is being pushed through by a few Tory councillors after a very suspect consultation. The results of which are being skewed to fit the ruling Tory party cabinet in Ipswich. Many of the regional newspapers, Eastern Daily Press, East Anglian Daily Times, Bury Press etc have not only taken up the story but some local papers have really got behind the story with large coverage and Save our Schools Campaigns. I am therefore wondering why your news teams fail to wish to report on this issue. I believe that there was a small piece that gave the counties view, which was reported without recourse to the truth behind the councillor’s words. If you need further info I recommend that you look at www.parentsagainstchange.org

SARAH GODDARD-TANDY
I am writing to you with my concerns regarding the decision that Suffolk County Council is hell bent on implementing – the closure of OUR Middle Schools. This decision will affect all 5 of my children. My 10 year old (Year 5 Lothingland Middle), my 8 year old (Year 4 Oulton Broad Primary), my 4 year old (Oulton Broad Nursery) and eventually my toddler & 6 month old baby. A big “to do” was not made when the Consultation Paper was sent out and parents weren’t really made aware of what was really going to happen. Society today is fast-paced; technical and blinkered – if parents had been made aware of what this consultation paper’s damaging consequences held in store for the future of our children I am sure the findings would have differed greatly. If the process were to be carried out now, parents wouldn’t be goaded into replying but would genuinely be fighting for the RIGHTS of their children. Middle schools support children between the ages of 9 –13 when they are going through rapid changes mentally; physically & emotionally & at this stage in their lives they need to be with children & teachers that understand; not 5 year olds or the other end of the scale, 18 year olds, who are each facing their own life hurdles. It is my belief that the statistics are being manipulated to satisfy each individual or group on either side of the debate. I don’t believe that statistically; 2-tier or 3-tier are the answer or the problem. It is my belief that some children naturally thrive at school; others will do all right for themselves and then there are others that need a different approach. I understand that there is discussion surrounding 14-18 year olds education. Some children will never reach GCSE attainments that statistics and policy suggest; they would be better channelled into earlier vocational training – learning by doing not just listening. Yes, I needed to reach a standard at GCSE in order to get into Nursing College and acquire my Nursing Qualification and Diploma – but all members of society are different and so are their natural abilities. We all have strengths and weaknesses but we need to work on the strengths too. If a 14 year old who is not academically minded enjoys tinkering with engines – channel it – he may never be an A* student but with vocational training could be a great mechanic. It is my understanding that Lowestoft would be part of the first phase of change. If things go wrong (or even to plan) our children will face years of disruption. Our primary school has reached its natural capacity; we have no space left to build – the school hall can’t accommodate more for dinner, assemblies and school plays. We have no space for portacabins & why should we? Our school is part of a community. It is personal; most people know each other at least to pass the time of day with – our children are names and personalities, not just another child on the school role. To accommodate another 2 year groups would mean another 100-120 children. Change of catchment? Schools cannot be altered or built overnight; you can’t expect 6 year olds to change schools and lose friends because they no longer live in catchment. We bought our house in the area that we did because of the school catchment area; its Ofsted report the SATS results and the warm environment and size of school. Where does it start? – With disruption – years of disruption! Where does it end? With the devastating effects on the education & entire journey through the education system of our children being blighted – the next generation & more! The money that these implementations are going to cost on buildings; re-structuring etc. not directly on the education of our children should be used to promote what is already good and boost what needs more resources. Money on more teachers; assistants, one-to-one for special needs and booster sessions – money for vocational training & the holistic approach to children. Being a high achiever is no good if you lack the social & emotional skills to be an integral part of today’s society. As a member of

Allen Peters
Councillors should be afraid to admit that they should refer the matter back for further consideration, in fact, it would clearly demonstrate that they do listen to and represent the voters of Suffolk. It would not be aloss of face or an admission of error!

Allen Peters
If the vote goes ahead to close Middle Schools there will be yeras of disruption and uncertainty for thousands of pupils in Suffolk. Their parents will have long memories when it comes to local and national elections and will be unforgiving towards the current majority party on Suffolkm County Council.

Peter Byatt
On 21st February I went to the well-attended meeting held at Pakefield Middle School hosted by Parents against Change (as a parent.) I was given the opportunity of putting a question to the SCC people in attendance, and I quoted from a recently deleted page from Suffolk County Council Teacher Recruitment Website extolling the virtues of Middle Schools in Suffolk as follows: "Both educationally and socially pupils benefit from the unique opportunities provided by middle schools. Middle schools have been acknowledged as presenting one of the most enriching and formative environments in which it is possible to learn. They provide for their pupils a positive influence, which has been seen to continue long after they have left, not only in knowledge, but also in motivation, self-confidence, teamwork and the capacity for independent study. Suffolk middle schools are at the heart of learning." I then put the following question: “This was part of Suffolk County Council’s Teacher Recruitment information on their website until recently, but has now been removed. At what point did SCC decide to amend their opinion of their Middle Schools, and how did they reach this decision?” Rosalind Turner (SCC Director for Children and Young People Services) responded by saying that the information had been put there at the request of Middle School Heads who were finding it difficult to recruit new staff. I find it somewhat hard to believe that SCC would publish mere “opinion” from Headteachers on their website without their official endorsement or scrutiny. It seems unfair at a time when there is great public interest in this issue that one side’s opinion has been removed from the public domain, and all that SCC now present is their “spin” on the situation. From her response , it would appear that SCC has published misleading information about their Middle Schools; one must ask then, what other information that SCC publish about the proposed closure of Middle Schools may be misleading or inaccurate? In contradiction to this, however, Ms Turner then went on to say that SCC wanted to retain everything good about Middle Schools. Ironically, what she referred to herself as being positive aspects of Middle School Education were direct paraphrases of the points that were put so well in the deleted page written by the Headteachers, who know the schools best :- Middle Schools…  have an atmosphere, which is exciting and unique.  dedicated to the further achievement of higher standards within a caring community  concerned with how children learn as well as what they learn  attention to the needs of the individual pupil is a particularly strong feature of middle school life  enabling pupils to benefit from specialist teaching and facilities, to different degrees, from Year 5  an environment which is stimulating and challenging to the children and one in which they are encouraged to believe that they can achieve  the prescribed syllabus for Key Stage 2 is covered and assessed effectively  take a special pride in their high standards of pastoral care. and of course the clincher final paragraph as quoted above. Perhaps Ms Turner needs to go back and have some serious thoughts about her responses to the question, and the advice that she will give to the County Council prior to the crucial vote on March 22nd. This matter was discussed at great length at a recent meeting of the Lowestoft N.U.T. Our members were not opposed to change or progress, but the view of the meeting was that SCC should be asked to refer the matter back at their meeting on 22nd March. It was felt that information had not been disseminated adequately, and that all voters in the County should be asked for their view, following a period of balanced information exchange. No matter where people live in Suffolk they pay Council Tax, a very large percentage of which goes to SCC, therefore all Council Taxpayers have a right to be involved

Gerald Copsey
Middle Schools must be saved.I have seen the improvement that my two eldest children have made from being at a middle school - St James in Bury St Edmunds - and I want my daughter to have the same high quality education.The facts are: 1 If a change takes place the next ten years will be very disruptive for children in the system. 2 The report clearly shows that children at the lower end of accademic achievement do far better in a three tiwer system. 3 All data shows that pastoral care is significantly better in the 3 tier system. 4 The sunday Times has King Edward V1 as the best in suffolk which managed to obtain 6 places at Cambridge University for its students - A 3 tier school. If the 3 tier system does better at both top and bottom ends why are we spending Millions of pounds on changing. The reason given for change is is exam results,but the only results where the 2 tier system does better is key stage 2. If Ipswich Lose the championship on goal difference would they look back over the season and sack the manager because after 5 games they were off the pace.It's only the end result that counts - any child knows that - and yet we are to abandon a good team because councillors cannot see it.

Vivienne Baroni
Middle schools are seen to work very effectively in deprived areas. Results cannot be taken across 'the board' and should be looked at area by area. Lowestoft needs and wants to retain the three tier system.

D Hayllar
As a Bedfordshire parent I would like to offer my encouragement to those concerned Suffolk parents who are fighting to preserve the excellent 3 tier school system. Here in Bedfordshire the Council tried to steamroller through the same pointless , disruptive and incredibly expensive re-organisation , but enough people made the effort to make their voices heard and we were able to stop them. The people of the Isle of Wight were also successful in a similar campaign a few years ago - so don't give up , if you can just alert enough people about this ridiculous plan , you can stop it dead.

School Governor of a Bedfordshire Lower School
I am a governor for a lower school in Bedfordshire, our oldest son is at middle school and our other 3 children are in a wonderful lower school. We spent all last year fighting tooth and nail to prevent our council from merging our wonderful 3tier system into a more cost effective 2 tier system. We WON! More precisely OUR KIDS WON. We may have to fight our corner again in the future, we'll be ready. I wish you good luck with your campaign, and hope you have the same result as us, exhausting as it was, it was worth the effort and heartache! x

J. Jackson
I think that the middle schools should be left how they are they are fine now . Im in a middle school so it won't affect me but we will be the ones who have the better education what about are younger brothers and sisters they wont get a good education . I also think you should listen to children and see what is going to happen to education!! and everything should stay how it is!

B J Smith (mrs)
I think the Middle Schools should stay. The Middle School at Needham Market is brilliant. My Grandson done well there and my Grandaughter is attending this School at the moment and is doing very well. I think it is an important step off growing up and the thought off going to the big school is very frightening. I know I was when I was 11years old. WE are all fighting to save the Middle Schools.

Claire Crossland
As a teacher of ten years, I have worked in both the systems that operate in the county. I can honestly say that I would, without any hesitation, choose to have any child of mine educated in the three tier system. The opportunities to take part in a greater range of clubs and teams and the access to a wider range of specialist facilities (and often subject specialist staff)are of course some of these reasons. However, the main reason would be, quite simply, that the pastoral and emotional care that children receive in a middle school is beyond compare. Am I suggesting that teachers don't care as much in a two tier system? Absolutely not! It's not about the staff in each school - it's simply the fact that the set-up in a middle school allows children to grow and flourish in a family-like environment in which all staff know all children, even if they've never taught them. Our pupils are socially responsible, they have opportunities to develop maturity and confidence in a smaller school and the way we see the children progress is wonderful. They have a love of learning and they welcome the opportunities available to them, even going as far as acknowledging how lucky they are when interviewed for a recent Ofsted inspection! Our school is genuinely part of our lovely community and in a society in which politicians are debating how to re-gain a sense of social concern (especially in the young) it is a travesty to consider dismantling this community, to send children to huge, inevitably more impersonal institutions. Re-reading this has made me realise just how often I've used the words 'opportunity' and 'simple'- I was going to alter this, but have decided not to for the simple reason that these words say everything! Middle schools provide a wonderful opportunity for the young people of Suffolk and they deserve to stay and even, dare I say it, be widened to encompass the whole of the county. It IS that simple.

Sarah Lander
We must stop the proposed changes, my children are both at a Middle School which they love.

Ryan Holt
I started campaigning at the end of November as I realised proposals were in process of abolishing our middle schools. The reason I’m campaigning to save middle schools, is that I believe there is better education needs that lay at in the three tier system. Since Norfolk schools have been two-tier system, results have fallen compared to the three tier system in Suffolk. The three tier system finishes you at Key Stage 2 and Get you moved in Key Stage 3, ready for moving to High School. I then created a website for people to sign the blog, about what they think of the middle schools proposal system. Since then the website has flooded with entries and in fact we had to create a new blog. I totally disagree with Patricia O’Brien, saying that parents have been too lazy to respond to the proposal changes. The Lowestoft Journal, Beccels and Bungay Journal have received over 700 coupons to help save the schools and also the parents against change website have received 9,697 signatures on their website in just 40 days! But just only 4 coupons against the change. Doesn’t this show what parents, pupils and head teachers want. Since November when I started my own campaign, results, letters, and the media have shown that the three tier system should stay in place than changing it to a two tier system. It’s all really to do with the cost of this, and how that Suffolk County Council has to save money and cut back and this is one way. It’s true that they did not say anything when the councillors’ where elected about changing the schooling system in Suffolk. The councillors’ haven’t really listened to parents, and most important of all the pupils. What do they think of how the schooling system? It’s the pupil’s education. If you want to help Save our Middle Schools log on to my website: www.freewebs.com/saveourmiddleschools or email [email protected]

melvyn hall
i think it is going to affect children in their development. By going through a 3 tier system. The children have to learn how to make new friends. How to get around a bigger school. New teachers, different ways of learning. I also feel this is being sold to the councillors as a cost cutting excercise & also help the county's budget by selling off all the land they own for more housing. Which our infastructure cannot cope with now. I also think it is a way of solving the problem of recruiting head teachers, as there will be less schools. with less schools there will be very little chance for a teacher to become a head teacher, if he/she so wishes.

maria conway-moule
Having specifically moved to Suffolk so my children can be part of the three tier system I very much oppose and change to a two-tier structure and feel there has been much misrepresentation of the statistics quoted

Ryan Summers
I Think it's stupid. I am in amiddle school and it is fine how it is. If the two tier system was out in place right now, i'd be in the same school as 18 year olds, and i'm 12! I also think kids should have a say in this because we're the 'victims'. I think everything should stay as it is!

Oliver Mason
Patricia O'Brien has also used her position to send out her signed propaganda letters and leaflets via school children. This is a tactic that many fascist states have employed in the past and is something some organisations consider to be abuse. A MP was repremanded for telling kids they should stay on at school as it is a Government agenda. Therefore she should resign because of her use of children to distribute her propaganda.

B.Smith
I work in the Wyre Forest, where the council despite strong opposition from parents continued to push through a change to the three tier system, and as such can speak first hand of the disruption to the lives of all concerned. All staff, teaching and non teaching forced to apply for a new job. Many unable to apply for the post they already hold because they are not "eligible". Children moving to schools with temporary accomodation, which will remain for many years to come. A lack of facilities because the new primary schools cannot be equiped as well as the middle schools. A lack of training for staff moving to the new schools does little to raise morale or prepare people for the future.Demoralisation of pupils, parents and staff as the final term draws nearer can do little to support all those involved in the change.What a waste of money. Already years of disruption with "consultations" and now disruption for more years as the new schools develop. What has all this been for? Can the council not think of better ways of spending taxpayers money?

Phil Williams
As a secondary school teacher with experience in both 11-19 and 13-19 schools, as a parent of two boys aged 4 and 7, and as a governor of a First School I think it is extremely important that Suffolk County Councillors vote for the recommendation of the school review panel. It is at times like this that bold decisions have to be made. It would be a travesty if Suffolk ‘played safe’ and ended up like Bedfordshire and the Isle of Wight. I understand the fears of parents – I know my boys will be affected by this change. I know it will mean great change for our secondary schools – but education is about change. I know that there will be great speculation and scaremongering about the fate of Middle and First schools – but the decision to change WILL benefit ALL in the future.

Warren Bentley
A bad idea. Over a year after a request, Suffolk County Council cannot even say how much the new Mildenhall bus station cost the taxpayer, why on earth trust them with any bigger project? What is to be done with the 40 middle schools, and if sold for housing, etc, who will get he money? What a fiasco - the Millenium Dome and Iraq war seem to involve the same level of incompetent thinking.

Wendy
I grew up in North London and recieved my education in a two tier system, i had 5 unhappy years, i loved school but really hated secondary school... i was in the first year that took G.C.S.E exams, what a shambles, that followed 2 years of Teacher strikes, and i know this is nothing to do with two tier or three... but the upheaval was awful, never knowing was the worst... my daughter is nearly ten, and started middle school last September, we moved from london when she was 2, and when i looked into the school system, i will be honest i thought whatever... what's the deal with middle schools, but my opinion soon changed, what a wonderful idea these schools are. they enable the children to learn earlier therefore obtaining an interest in what they are doing, this can only be a benifit for their future and ours..... so leave what works alone... it's not broken so dont try fixing...

sam trafford
i think it is ridiculous- as a student who attended middle school i feel much more confident in changing schools, and making more friends by the day.

wendy
my son has Autism, he moved up to middle school just last year,And been given a great deal of support by al tha staff who do a good worth while job, how are children supposed to cope with this change.it's a gig enough upheavel for any child let alone a child with autism.he's considered too mild for a secial needs school, and alot of help given in a reasonable size middle school. Do i think it's a good idea? no no no

Jane Ray
We should stick with the three tier system that was founded on the developmental needs of children, rather than arbitrarily drawn Key Stage test boundaries (SATs). We all know of it benefits to children. We should spend money on developing it further, and work with other authorities where the three tier system are already working very well.. The DFES have confirmed that there is no presumption against three tier systems in the Building Schools for the Future programme. It would be open to a Local Authority to come forward with a vision for its future which built upon the middle school model. What a fantastic opportunity to show we really care about the education of the young people in Suffolk.

Lauren
I used to go to school in Brentwood which was a two tier system so I know what its like. I think the idea of three schools to break up education for young children is a great idea as it breaks them in at different stages of education and reduces bullying. At my old school in Brentwood they tried to have segregated playgrounds for each year group but it never worked!

Leeta
I think it's a grest ideaa. It'll reduce the upheaval of having to change and settle into new schools, reduce unnecessary spending on bureacratic admissions processes, enable children to mix with a wider peer group and provide parity with neighbouring authorities. I don't believe the structure has anything inherently to do with standards or why would Bedfordshire have recently taken the decision to retain its 3-tier system, but if the authority can identify savings that can be redirected into education rather than the management of structures, this has got to be a good thing.

Brenda McLoughlin
I have just attended a meeting at my local primary school where I listened to cabinet members argue their case for moving to a two tier system and I am amazed that on, what appears to be little more than a whim, Councillors are voting for a change that will cause a huge amount of upheaval for our children. There is no worthwhile statistical proof that a two tier system will work better. Most of our primary schools will not be in a position to house another two year groups of children and even if the primary schools could find space for the children, it is unlikely that any existing Suffolk primary schools will have room for the science labs, art rooms and fully equipped IT suites that children in years 5 and 6 currently enjoy. On the one hand councillors argued at the meeting that primary schools would not have to close on the other they talked about progress for our schools, I think it is therefore safe to assume that our local primary school will have to close as will many local primary schools because to put years 5 and 6 into ill-equipped and over crowded schools would be regressive instead of progressive. The consultation was a joke with many people not receiving the consultation document, printed in the About Suffolk Magazine. On March 22nd the cabinet members will vote on this issue. It is essential that all individuals email councillors to object to the two tier system. I am not against the two tier system, I am against the change which will seriously affect my children’s education and is likely to have a grave effect on the community. You can find the email of the councillors on google. Email them before its too late!

Trevor Tyrrell
I recently visited the Middle School (Riverside) where our daughter will start in September 2007. WHAT A GREAT SCHOOL! A higher level of education with a greater variety of subjects at a younger age compared to the two-tier system that I went through. WHY CHANGE?

Chris Lilley
Having read the Council's report, I can find no 'overwhelming' case in support of change - other than administrative expediency. This does not put the child at the heart of the process.

Mark Stephens-Row
As a former pupil of our excellent local Middle School and now parent governor, I am deeply dismayed by SCC's proposals. Why should the good schools be penalised at the expense of the bad ones. It is the period of change and uncertainity that will do the most damage. I urge all those parents who have been silent so far to make their voices heard in as many ways as they can - if something is not broken, then it does not need fixing! I also believe that there has been too much focus on artificial academic results instead of the huge range of non - academic activities that middle schools offer to the 9-11 age group compared to the two tier system. Please urge your local councilors to vote NO!

Lindsay Blankley
This is a misguided idea. The three tier system does not, as the council are suggesting, give lower academic acheivement. Furthermore, middle schools contribute to the general development of a child in a way that a two tier system will not. Our children have access to more varied opportunities in a middle school than it is possible to provide ina primary situation. They are more comfortable at the top end of middle school than they would be in a high school. There is no justification for the mess the change will create. It is unfair on the children who will have to suffer from the upheaval.

SSMS
I am extremely concerned about the environmental (and other) impact that the recent recommendation by the Schools Organisation Review Panel will have on Suffolk. If this is endorsed by the Full Council and becomes a reality, moving to a two-tier education system will have an extremely detrimental effect on the environment in this area for many years to come. The result of this proposal will inevitably be fewer, larger schools and equally inevitably this will lead to increased journey lengths and times for thousands of pupils across the county. There will be a huge increase in the numbers of pupils needing to be transported by coach to Secondary Schools, once Years 7 & 8 also need to make this journey. If, as I feel is likely, many of the smaller, rural Primary Schools end up being amalgamated, then even younger children will be forced into making extended journeys to school each day. Coach companies, quite understandably, tend to use their oldest (and therefore most polluting) coaches for school runs and there will also be large numbers of parents who feel the need to transport their children to school by car, now that it is too far for them to walk or cycle. The combined effect of all of this will be a huge increase in traffic congestion and pollution in many parts of the county. In addition to the transport issue, the proposal will mean vast amounts of building work on school grounds all over the county. New classrooms and other facilities will be needed at all of the Secondary and Primary Schools, in order to accommodate the extra year groups. Many of these sites are already full to capacity and the only way to expand them would be to build on playing fields and other green areas. Apart from the loss of these amenities to the schools and the quality of life that they bring to the pupils, local communities are often in a position to use these facilities out of school hours and will thus also lose out. In the interim, many pupils will end up being taught (for years) in temporary classrooms that are poorly insulated, draughty, difficult to keep warm/cool and far from ideal for their purpose. In a significant number of schools, expansion on the existing site is simply not possible, due to lack of space, and the only solution will then be to build completely new schools on green-field sites. This will clearly have a huge environmental cost. The redundant sites (including those of all 40 Middle Schools) will, I am sure, be sold off as building land, thus making vast sums of money for Suffolk County Council. This may also result in a change of land use from educational/recreational to residential or even industrial in areas totally unsuited to this type of development. The upheaval and environmental damage caused by these proposals will be immense and long-lasting. The overall cost will be millions of pounds and the only criteria for change, to which the Panel will admit, seems to be a fractional increase in pupil performance at the end of Key Stage 2. This then evens out over the following few years until any difference in attainment between the two systems is negligible. As has been proved by recent similar changes in Norfolk (and elsewhere), pupils caught in the changeover period suffer such disruption to their education that results fall, and it has yet to be proved whether they will improve significantly in the longer term. For all of the above reasons, I feel that the proposals are unrealistic, damaging and should be urgently reconsidered before it is too late.

SSMS
We all accept that the three-tier system is not perfect (no system is) and that there are issues in the Western Area around numbers of pupils not staying on after the age of 16, but these two statements are not intrinsically linked. There are huge historical, geographical and social factors behind the lower than average numbers going on into post-16 education in this part of the County, which I think you will find pre-date the three-tier system by many years. It is these factors that need to be addressed with proper investment and support at County level, rather than the current policy of blaming them solely on the educational structure. The differences in attainment at age 11 are also easily explained by anyone with experience of both structures: In a Primary School situation Year 6 SATs are prepared for in a totally different way to that in a Middle School situation. Many Primary Schools (whether or not they will openly admit it) simply suspend their Year 6 timetables from February 1/2 term until SATs week, and teach English, Maths and Science almost exclusively during that time. They focus not just on content, but on exam technique, and use endless practice questions to aclimatise their pupils to the test papers. I have even been informed of schools that rearrange their classroom layouts into test conditions for weeks on end preceding SATs week to simulate the experience for pupils. In a Middle School situation things are very different. The normal timetable, with its broad and balanced curriculum, is maintained right up until SATs week begins. To do otherwise would be impossible, since the pupils are benefitting from specialist teaching and specialist facilities in all subject areas. The English, Maths and Science staff prepare pupils as fully and carefully as it is possible to do within the normal time allocations for their subject, but there clearly is not the same intensive 'push' during the weeks leading up to the tests. As a parent, I know which of these scenarios I would prefer for my child. SATs results are not the 'be all and end all' (especially those in Year 2 and Year 6) from either the pupils' or parents' perspectives. They have only become so for teachers because of the way that they are used to judge school and staff performance. A stable, broad and balanced curriculum is the single most important factor in equipping a child with the necessary skills for later life. Yes, of course exams have to be passed and exam technique is a factor in that. However, it is not a fundamental one at the age of 7 or 11 and should not be pursued to the detriment of all else. The fact that so much parental support for the three-tier is being publicly demonstrated at the moment suggests that those who really see this structure in action on a day-to-day basis are fully aware of its strengths and feel that they far outweigh any current weaknesses. Proper investment and support, targetted at the known problems, would guarantee improvement. Uprooting thousands of staff and pupils has not resulted in any significant improvements in any of the other counties were it has been allowed to happen. Statistics, in the right hands, can be made to say almost anything that you may wish. Parental support, on the other hand, cannot be manufactured or bought, it has to be earned. The three-tier system has demonstrated this throughout its thirty year history and will continue to do so if is supported rather than used as a scapegoat.

tayla
im a puple at a middle school and there very good and shouldnt be shut down to mix younger with the older because the middle school gets them ready and grown up for high school ..

Sue Bennett
After attending the meeting at ENDEVAOUR House on the 16Th and listening to the cabinet members in the public gallery, i have come away with many different thoughts in my head to which i would like to relay to you and here your thoughts. 1) No one from P.A.C have said the two tier does not work, many of us in fact did the two tier system. Please listen to the argument. WHY CHANGE? 2) Statistics for the whole of Suffolk are down compared to the rest of the country so why not improve all of Suffolk's schools by investing in what we already have instead of causing chaos and disruption for many people, IE: children teachers parents communities and of course in turn councillors!!!! 3) One cabinet member stated that he had not received any E-Mails from parents in two tier system asking for changes to three tier! Of course not its not their children's lives and education you are messing with at the moment!!! 4) Many of the cabinet said that extensive research has gone into this movement!! RUBBISH- as a parent from NEEDHAM MARKET MIDDLE SCHOOL a group of us in less than a week, 4 days to be precise!! obtained in excess of 1100 signatures of parents , grandparents, ex-pupils and the general community people in our rural village who are against this proposal. In SCC extensive research they only heard from 4744in total only approximately1500 voted for all two tier.Is this how you do your extensive research? In my book 4744 is not enough did any one go out on the streets and get views of every one? Talking to people on there different levels? I THINK NOT. 5) What about the specialist teachers in middle schools? Some of these teachers are really fabulous teachers who will perhaps leave teaching because you say they do not teach to the standard you would like!!! NEEDHAM MARKET MIDDLE has some really special teachers who don't come along often. The feeling and support amongst our school is breath taking but your extensive research, says we will get rid of that in other words people do not matter. I have come away from a public meeting very disappointed. 1- our local councillor did not utter a word - i thought the councillors were the voice of the people? Wrong again it must of been that two-tier education that i had. 2- Two councillors actually spoke up and had reservations about the whole thing.To me those two people actually wanted to hear both for's and against before deciding on which side of the fence to sit. To those two people you should feel really proud of your selves for queering such a huge and detrimental issue. - i am sure your people who you speak for truly respect you for that. 3- One councillor nodded in and out of sleep!! Obviously it is a done and dusted issue to him. 4- Another councillor said he had read the report and there was no mention of temporary classrooms- HELLO you obviously did not read the report very well or you would know that the full report appendix states this clearly. Please do look into the fuller picture before making your decision. I do realise there our fors and against both systems but the bottom line is Suffolk is not achieving nationally in either tier.Why not improve both systems and work together with the people to raise our game and education. OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AND FUTURES DEPEND ON WHICH WAY YOU VOTE ON MARCH 22ND.DO THE CHILDREN TEACHERS PARENTS AND COMMUNITIES OF WEST SUFFOLK REALLY DESERVE TO BE LET DOWN THAT BADLY BY THE COUNCILLORS?

Adrian Ward
I have been active in sending my comments to all. But the best way is to use the ballot box, with elections in May.

rose deshmukh age 9
if the schools are changed there will be such a big age gap in each school and more bullying problems will occur.there is o point. keep middle schools. the three-tier system works fine. i will be affected if they are changed and so will many other children. middle schools have been fine to me and all my friends. i would rather have middle schools and i know a lot of other people would.

Julie Kett
Retain the current system. Middle schools offer a learning environment for ALL children to achieve. Education is not only about grades and percentages it is enabling a child to achieve at their level. This is what middle schools providing a stimulating learning envornment to equip our future generation with the skills for them to achieve as far as they are able to or want to. A child is a person not a statistic.

Helen Ballam
Middle schools have worked very well for all my children. Not just academically but socially too,yet this is not measured in the league tables. Not only is great cost involved but disruption to childrens lives. Sadly i feel that yet again the council have made a decision & are not listening to parenrs.

David Eddy
Education chiefs are looking for a simple answer for their inability to immprove standards across the County. Rather than focussing the major investment in changing to a two tier system, the money would be better spent in trying to improve standards across the entire region. But the solution of improving standards would take some really imaginative thinking.

graham jarrett
If this disasterous change gets the go-ahead let's just hope that the person in charge of the Lowestoft Sunrise scheme doesn't get involved. Unfortunately I think the outcome could be the same - total unco-ordinated chaos!!

Michaela Manning
Keep the 3 tier system - children with special needs will be overlooked - children will be educated in portacabins, in bigger classes and with less opportunities provided for them if the 2 tier system is implemented in West Suffolk

Paula Groombridge
I feel this is driven more by the monetay value to this council than by the value to children. In todays climate there are a growing number of children who thrive in the middle school system due to the nurturing and pastoral care which i feel they would not recieve in a two tiewr system as the schools would be too big. The governments agenda for inclusion means that there are a number of children who find it extremely difficult to cope where there are too many changes and not enough familiarity. Our children deserve to be nurtured otherwise our unemployment figures will be even bigger. Middle schools allow children who are at a vunerable age be guided and supported, qualifications are not everything, children need to be taught how to get on in society middle schools are outstanding in this role.

sally wainman
suffolk county council seem to be presenting the two-tier system as some kind of educational paradise, when in fact there is quite widespread unhappiness with the level of educational attainment. Record numbers of teachers are retiring early, because they cannot bear the level of state interference that goes on and the constantly changing targets; and in areas where Suffolk does excel eg music and the recognized prowess of the Suffolk Youth Orchestras, the SCC is planning to take a hatchet to their funding, with a 73% cut. I would like to see SCC abandon their destructive and ill-thought out plans for middle schools

nicky
I am really diappointed at the proposals of changing the system from three tier to two tier. I really don't think the suffolk county council are listening to the people of suffolk and the whole thing was decided right from the start regardless of what parents want for their children. I went to one of the meetings to tell us about the proposed changes. The panel were supposed to be there so we could air our views to them but they were not! So the views were not heard but still they have carried on regardless! I have been through the three tier system and it was good enough for my fellow pupils and I at the time and has moved along with the times. I have also had the experience of working within a two tier system and i certainly can see that the three tier system is the more beneficial to children especially for keeping the community as a community by the schools providing that continuing closeness that prevails in rural villages. When I had my children we were originally living in an area that had the two tier system and knowing that they would get better opportunities in a three tier system moved back to the area I had been educated in to give them a chance. It so happened this was a good move as both my sons have special needs and this system has done them proud. My eldest is now in the middle school and is doing exceptionally well which i know may have not happened if he had been in a two tier system. My youngest son is still at primary and will be effected by this proposal and i am really worried that he will not survive the upheavel if the changes go ahead. I really hope that the council start listening to the people of suffolk instead of doing their own thing. As yet i have not heard any parent in my area that is happy with the proposals and judging by the protests and responses on this site there doesn't seem to be in other areas. So please listen before its too late for our children their future is at stake and in your hands.

Lesley Norburn
Appalling - middle schools work well. I was the first intake into middle schools when created in the 70's and my 10 year old daughter started at the same school in September. They provide an important environment for learning at a time of great emotional & physical change, stretched more than primary school yet sheltered from the pressures and influences of older children. I'm afraid its all about following the money, not what's best for the children!

Dave Clark
I have one daughter at an excellent Suffolk middle school, St Felix in Newmarket, and another due to start there in September. I cannot see that there are any benefits from changing to two tier education that will outweigh the disruption and harm that will be done to their education by the change. If it isn't broken don't fix it!

Emma Howlett
This is all about finances with no thought being given to the potential disruption to current pupils, with no real evidence that standards will improve.

Sue Arnold
As a parent of two children who have already enjoyed and benefitted from the current three tier system, and a third child who looks forward to middle school in a couple of years, I must register my opposition to the proposed change in the strongest terms. There are so many advantages to Middle School, which give specialized teaching and facilities, a wider curriculum, greater responisibility, superb extra curricula activities and clubs, and above all a nurturing and appropriate environment where they can thrive during the important pubescent years without the influence of older teenagers. The consultation exercise failed and parents are only now beginning to realize the potential devastation that the council's plan represents. Such drastic changes as those proposed could only be justified if the current system was failing the children. Nothing could be further from the reality. I urge all parents, children, staff, govenors and those who value our schools and communities to oppose this change.

The Marshall Family
We have two daughters. One is 10 (in year 6 at Middle School) and one is 3. The youngest is due to start full-time school in September 2008. Over the past few weeks, since it became clear that Suffolk County Council was hell-bent on dismantling the remaining three-tier provision in the county, my family has been in turmoil. Dozens and dozens of questions have been running round in our heads, literally keeping us awake at night. • Is Suffolk County Council going to build a fully-equiped science laboratory in every primary school, and then staff it with specialist teachers so our youngest can start carrying out proper scientific experiments from year 5? • Are they planning to extend the playing fields at every primary school to include a full-size athletics track, and build tennis and netball courts, cricket and rugby pitches, a full-sized swimming pool… and provide PE specialists to run all the school teams and after-school clubs? • Are they going to recruit French teachers – ideally native French speakers – to start proper language tuition in year 5, before our youngest misses that window of opportunity because she’s too old to learn languages intuitively? • Will there be a fully resourced library in every primary school, with computers, a lending system, a wide range of up-to-date and sophisticated reference books…Not to mention trained and dedicated library staff? • Will there be a full-size performance space in every primary school for plays and concerts? An orchestra and a wind-band? Sound-proof practice rooms? Peripatetic music tuition? Or will we have to find and pay for all this as ‘extra-curricular’ activities? • If she runs up against problems, will the school counsellor or the school nurse be readily on hand to help and support her? • Will our younger daughter learn to cook, from year 5, in a properly equipped food technology space? Or learn woodwork in a proper resistant materials studio? • Will she, and particularly her male classmates, have nearly as many positive male role models among the teaching staff as her big sister has at Middle School? • Or will she be bored and frustrated because most of her teaching is with a single person (however professional). Will she be increasingly unfit through lack of a playing field and few opportunities for team sports? Will she be frightened because she’s going to have to make such a big change at 11 and will have little experience on which to base her choices? • And worst of all, will she spend most of the second half of year 6 cramming for her KS2 SATS tests – on a virtually unremitting diet of Maths and English – simply to help SCC creep up the OFSTED league tables a few points? • And will we, as her parents, have to fork out more and more money in Council Tax every year, for what we can clearly see is likely to be an inferior set of educational and social opportunities? When Suffolk County Council can give us – and our daughter – their cast-iron assurances that they will give her all the opportunities, support and facilities that her big sister has benefited so greatly from in the past two years at Middle School then, and only then, will we be prepared to believe that this is a positive move. As the government dictates, Every Child Matters.

Mrs Deborah Quinn
I absolutely oppose changing the current schooling format. I strongly feel it would be to great detriment of our children to reduce the student/teacher ratio and I also feel the age groupings to be inappropriate. Currently, I have a daughter in year 2 Primary.

c barnard
I have a daughter in the two teir system who being mixed with older kids behaves like one.All i can say is look at holywells high school in ipswich and you will see why its a bad idea.

karen proud
Leave it as it is. It never did me any harm. The effects on children with special needs will be ten fold,give them a chance.

Jamie White
What a shame that people who have no experience of the system are choosing to destroy something that they have no knowledge of. The ultimate benefits of Suffolk's middle schools are never going to be shown on tests designed for children who are in two tier systems.(the SATS) If all children were tested at the end of Yr 8 rather than at the end of year six, suddenly middle schools would look far better. If that was the case would SCC choose to go three tier across the county? Of course not, they wouldn't save any money!!!

Mark Langford
I note with rising dismay that proposals to wreck the current three-tier school system have been given the go-ahead. Councillors claim that children get better results in a two-tier system, despite studies showing that, by GCSE levels, there is no difference between two-and three-tier education. The changes planned will have only detrimental effects on the children’s emotional and social development. The three-tier system encourages emotional maturity in the children that pass through it – they are able to take more responsibility for their actions at an earlier age, as well as taking greater ownership and pride in their work and achievements. I have worked in both two- and three-tier systems, and I have found that Year 7 pupils in the two-tier system (just starting high school) are less rounded individuals than children one and two years younger in the three-tier system. Middle schools provide security and support in an important stage of children’s development, whereas the three-tier system uproots them from Primary school, and dumps impressionable, pre-pubescent children directly into the sphere of influence of children who are old enough to smoke, drink, drive have sex and be imprisoned. Middle schools also provide opportunities that high schools do not. Pick any Middle school, and you will find they provide dozens of free lunchtime and after-school clubs. Not just sports, but curricular and extra-curricular clubs, drama, Science, homework, environmental, ICT, cookery… the list goes on. High schools, on the other hand, provide almost nothing comparable. Pupil enrichment is much better in a three-tier system as well. Middle schools are able to open enrichment activities, such as trips or special visiting activities, to many more pupils from a much wider ability range. In the three-tier system, teachers can get to know pupils as people as well. Most high school teachers are complete strangers to 90% of the pupils in their schools and vice versa. Senior staff in giant, two-tier high schools are little more than managers, having little or no positive contact with pupils. In the three-tier system, most heads are able to get into lessons, speak with staff and pupils on a personal, social level, getting to know them and their particular needs and requirements. Consequently, the three-tier system can provide much more for all its pupils, at every age and ability range. Having a three-tier system also provides a better quality of education in specialist subjects at an earlier age – how many primary schools are able to support full-time French or Science teachers? Despite studies that show early exposure to new languages and topic-areas guarantees greater later success, trashing the three-tier system will deny 9, 10 and 11-year olds the chance to do well in non-core subjects. Younger children would also be denied the opportunity to learn specialist subjects in specialist surroundings. They would have to learn Science without laboratories, technology without dedicated workshops. So far the moves to a two-tier system have achieved two things – plummeting moral amongst teachers and school support staff, and the prospect of years of disruption as thousands of pupils across the region are uprooted to make way for the massive, expensive building programme that would be required to achieve the Council’s goals. All-in-all, the Council’s stated aim of improving education will not happen. Pupils and teachers will be de-motivated. Ancillary staff and head teachers will be made redundant. Standards, results and behaviour will rapidly fall. In other words, the Council will have failed in their duty to the children of the region. As a teacher, I cannot express an opinion for my employers, but as a parent I can say what I feel: the change to a two-tier system is wrong. It cannot but harm the future well-being of our children. Any parents who care what happens to their children must, quickly make their feelings known to their elected representatives. Write to or email their MPs and counc

Niki
I find the arguement put forward that middle school staff will become hard to find quite rediculous. Middle school staff are either trained primary or trained secondary teachers. So where's the problem? As for children having their education disrupted because they need to transfer schools more often in the 3-tier system - why not complete their KS3 work in Year 8 and take the SATS then before they move to upper school. Dorset middle schools are doing just that and their results are outstripping national averages much to the disgruntlement of their education authority.

mrs smith-howell
why spend the money when we do not need to, my children go to school in halesworth where we have two fantastic schools, the money would be better put for the nhs and then our local hospital would not be closed as at present

John Matthews
Do I really want my 11 year old in the same school as the 18 year olds? NO!! In a day and age when children are growing up way to quickly, I do not want my child to be sharing a school with children so much older. The student to teacher ratio could be affected and the quality of education for our future leaders will be hampered. Please keep the current 3 Tier system in place.

John Matthews
I am very concerned about the level of disruption that this totally unnecessary move is going to make to both of my children’s education. Not knowing how long the building work is likely to take, there is a huge possibility that both of my children will be spending a large proportion of their school life in porta cabins. And where will these porta cabins be placed? Most likely, on the school playing fields. Taking yet more away from this generation of children. What is going to happen to the teaching staff? As soon as a decision to change to the two tier system is confirmed, many teachers will be looking for new positions and resigning. Filling those vacancies will be very difficult, teachers are unlikely to take a job in a school with a limited ‘life expectancy’. This will likely result in fewer teachers and those that do stay will be forced to teach subjects that they are not trained in. The age group social separation with the 3 tier system in place is fantastic. It gives a wonderful feeling of safety and security because there is a gradual development in their education. I think going to the 2 tier system will degrade the social advancement of the children.

P Parke
It is idiocy based upon mendacity.

Lindsay Keswick
I listened with interest to this morning's phone-in with Patricia O'Brien. Her inability to provide any detail on timescale and implementation is a major cause for concern. I would challenge the Council to produce more detailed proposals about the impact of the proposed changes including details of the inevitable school closures, proposed sites for large primaries and new secondary schools prior to the Council meeting in March, so that parents likely to be affected by the proposed changes have the ooportunity to make fully informed representations to their local councillors. prior to the crucial vote.

Donald Brown
As with the review in Bedfordshire the presentation of the data is biased towards change. Read it carefully and the conclusion is different. Less than 100 children out of 7500. We still live in a democracy, your views still matter and the County Councillors have a duty to listen and have a duty to the children in the system now. A decision to change condemns a generation to fail for a potential 4% improvement and a pot of gold in BSF which is NOT GURANTEED. It should be about standards, it should be about the aspiration of all your children. It is not about structure.

John Matthews
Proposed Reorganisation of Education in Suffolk I am very concerned that Suffolk County Council is proposing to move away from the current three tier school system in favour of the old two tier system. I have one child in year 5 at Riverside Middle School and another in year 2 at Tuddenham CP. I love the 3 Tier system that is currently in place. My son at Riverside, age 9, is excelling in the Middle School. He loves going to different teachers for each lesson and truely benefits from the specialist teachers and the knowledge that they are able to share. If the county of Suffolk makes the decision to change back to the old two tier system, I have serious concerns about the level of specialised knowledge that one single teacher is able to disseminate. Currently, the middle school has superb facilities in various areas especially Science, Design Technology - Workshop / Food Tech / Textiles, I.T. suites, P.E., Music, Art and Languages. The primary schools are just not equiped to offer the same level of superb specialist education. There are several areas of the National Curriculum that will just not be met if we change back to the 2 tier system. I feel strongly that parents were not fully consulted over this matter. It was not made clear to the public that this was going to happen and as such many people did not complete or return the paper. With such a minority having been returned, I believe about 2% , surely it would have been better to acknowledge that the message that this was a serious consideration had not been properly received. Can the council really believe that 98% of the public do not have an opinion about the education of our children? The questionaire did not give the community the opportunity to highlight the advantages of the three tier system, and in my opinion was biased towards a 2 tier system. Many people have said they did not realise how important the exercise was and that they thought it was just a rumour and that there would be long consultations.

Philip Fielder
This reminds me of an educational upheaval of 51 years ago, which affected me and about 60 other boys who had been attending the West Suffolk County Grammar School in Bury. A decision was taken (probably without the extensive consultation for the current Middle Schools change) to make the WSCGS single sex, and for the boys there to be transferred to the King Edward VIth Grammar School. This was particularly upsetting for my year as we went to KEGS for our "O" level year. This apart, no consideration was given to the material costs to our parents for uniform, games kit etc. As a rule the boys at WSCGS tended to be from poorer families than those who went to KEGS and I know from talking to old school mates since that many were hit very hard by this. This latest idea will no doubt have the same "no choice" option as we had in 1955 - "If you don't like it, go private"

Debbie, Lakenheath
Listening to Councillor O'Brien this morning, I am very concerned that she was sure that there would be little disruption to the children. She knows that this can't be the case - it hasn't been the case in other areas where changes has happened and the costs involved have been well above the budgeted amount given. Why do the Councillors lie? The Middle Schools are doing an excellent jobs and SATS are showing good results - the concern in education from what I can gather is the 16+ group - why should the Middle schools suffer because of this? Our Middle school are sending Levels 6 & 7's in English, Maths and Science upto the Upper Schools. Has Councillor O'Brien seen what is happening in Norfolk? The levels they are achieving in SATS are not as good as, or as consistent, as the levels in Suffolk. Regarding consultation - very few people were aware of what the consultation was working towards - most parents in Middle school, were completely unaware of the changes and First schools have no clue. Now that the parents have realised what is going on - surely from the upset and distress, it is obvious that the majority of people are against this decision. Had Councillors made the consultation clear, they would have met with the same concern as now. Isn't it wonderful, how quietly things can be pushed through? Finally my first and last concern is bullying - bullying is becoming more of a problem in schools, could it be because we are getting more 2-tier system schools? Children grow up quick enough - Secondary schools will have 1200 pupils - nothing has been mentioned about Primary schools - How big will these be? - How many will close? - How far will 3/4 year olds have to travel by bus? How much of this is that Ipswich would like independence to be their own council, looking after their own schools, and wanting to show the difference in their education when the rest of Suffolk will be in disruption? The only 2-tier system in Suffolk is in the Ipswich area....they will not have disruption.

Dave Hitchman
I'm a parent, I've seen the improvement in motivation, interest and knowledge the local middle school has provided for my son. Science is his favourite subject, and the fact he now works in a science lab, with a real science teacher, real chemicals, real electronics, real experiments truly thrills him. I have also seen the doomsday statistics provided by the council showing how terrible the system is. I checked those stats against the GCSE results, strangely enough there is (as near as damn it) no difference between 2 and 3 tier schools - the same conclusion as the chief inspector of schools has come to. Of course I have asked for, but not yet received, a copy of the data and analysis used to produce the councils assessment, that fact alone speaks volumes to me, perhaps I'm cynical, but if they were happy with their stats and were really after convincing me I would have had them the day I asked. Strange that one of the stats shows that at age 11 85% of pupils in middle schools fail to achieve the national average, only 12% in 2 tier, this would point to a serious problem, BUT I drew up an interesting comparative scenario... A board of directors are considering their two widget makign factories. They have found a world wide stats analysis showing that on average 500 widgets per person per day are made. In factory A each worker produces 499, in factory B each worker produces 501. A crude stats analysis shows that 100% of factory A workers are below average, 100% of factory B are above average. The reports author has also found that factory A is staffed by left handers, factory B by right handers, the recommendation that follows is simple - replace all factory A workers with right handed staff. Simple, logical and neatly follows (bit like Suffolks stats). But note, the real difference between factory A and factory B is 0.4%, not much really. Also note the other thing I didn't report - factory A has antiquated machinery which has been set at a lower rate to avoid breakdown. Maybe throwing the workers in factory A out is not the right move after all?

susan
I am obviously very concerned re the closure of the 40 middle schools, but my main concern is regarding how my child with special needs in year 3 is going to have his education messed around along with how our the rural primary schools going to handle extra pupils or is the case more likely for these to be closed too and our 4 1/2 year olds to 11 being bused. what is going to happen to all these buildings where the schools being closed? how is this going to affect are environment re more carbon emission from extra buses? more cars from parents not being able to use their local schools? along with any extra building works which is also damaging to our environment, also what is going to happen to those teachers being made redundant by the closures of school. I would like to know the answers to these questions please as I am more concerned with my children at a primary school age. we chose our local school to that of a near by town due to the smaller class sizes for better teaching strategies I could have also chose the two tier system but prefered the three tier, it's going to being very costly for some very damaging education discusion, these age groups are our next generation and this is going to cost them dearly in the long run.

Mrs Nicola Knott
I can't believe the council want to change the education system in Suffolk. There is nothing wrong with it. My husband went through all the changes in school when they brought in middle schools and feels it had a profound effect on his education - teachers not knowing what they were supposed to be doing etc. Now the council wants to change it all back again and disrupt our children's schooling! Looking at the evidence so far it seems that the council want to save some money and our children's education is going to pay. Patricia O'Brien has been quoted as saying that under a 2 tier system the schools would be able to move up the league tables, but thta most find themselves in the middle of the table now. Well, I'd be more worried if the said schools were all at the bottom of the table and a feature of league tables is that there is a top, middle and a bottom, they can't all be at the top. It seems that Patricia O'Brien is not to be swayed in her opinion, so the council has made it's mind up regardless of what it's customers and people who voted them in think. I don't hear any parents shouting FOR the changes, just uproar against them. That should tell the council something. The primary school my children have (and still are) attending is a small village primary. I don't want my youngest to stay there until she is 11, 9 is fine. The school is on a pokey site with no sports facilities and the pupil numbers are small so they are taught in mixed year group classes - not at all ideal for 10 and 11 year olds. But the alternative under the new plan would be to close such schools, which will be detrimental to a currently thriving and popular village. So, please, please, let common sense prevail and leave the system as it is now- it is perfectly fit for purpose- we should know, we are the ones using it.

Michael Howe
I have been a school governor for 26 years,21 of them in Essex which had a 2 tier system, and 5 in North Suffolk which has a 3 tier system. I support the proposed change over because the bottom line is that pupils in a 2 tier education system get better grades. This may be because students' performance dips every time they change schools. In Suffolk Key Stage 3 preparation has to be split between a high school and it's 2, 3 or 4 different feeder middle schools. As most of the country has abandoned middle schools it is going to get increasingly difficult to attract good staff to what many think is a job with a limited future. I accept that many parents are comfortable with the 3 tier system, but in this competitive world their children will be judged on their educational attainments.

Carol Bugg
If i had wanted my children to go to school in the 2 tier system i would have stayed living in Cambridgeshire. I took the decision 10 years ago to move so that they would attend a 3 tier system . NOBODY has come to either of the schools that my children attend to put forward the arguement to the parents directly.I believe that the consultation paper that was sent out was weighted towards 2 tier,also it did not impress to the parents how important it was for them to answer. Most parents that i have spoken to believe that the council had already made the decision and this was just a formality that the council had to go through.Is this because the council are not really interested in what WE THE PARENTS want for OUR children . Also in the case of "Every Child Matters" we are supposed to listen to what our children want , set up School Councils to hear the opinions of our children, then act on them. They have not had the chance to have their say. Infact schools have been told it is not in the best interest of the schools to include them in any consultation or meetings that are being held.I went to Scaltback Middle School in Newmarket i had 4 great years there. I can remember lots about my time and still see lots of my old school friends and we often talk about what we did at middle school. Please don't change it,help make the memories the same for our children.I feel they get lost in the larger schools and have to grow up far too fast.

Paul Tams
I think that is a serious error. When you look at the figures carefully they do not support Suffolk's conclusions - See the comments by Professor David Jesson. In any case End of Key Stage Tests are probably going to be replaced. The issue of staying on at 16+ will be overtaken by the plans for all children to stay on until 18+. The building schools for the future progamme is in serious trouble and running very late. All in all the county is out of touch with parents and the moves in educataion.

Tracey Clewer
There is evidence that middle schools are below national average, but so are the majority of two tier schools too... Has Suffolk County Council actually failed to notice that it is not the structure of the systems but rather the delivery of education from the County Council which is failing?

Neil Fleming
Two lots of research commissioned by your own Council in 2001 and 2002 concluded that any potential educational benefits from restructuring Suffolk’s schools would be far outweighed by the disruption caused. To quote the 2002 study: ‘The evidence from the measured differences in the progress of pupils between the two systems over four years does not justify the significant period of upheaval of pupils and staff, and therefore of learning and attainment, that school reorganisation into a wholly two-tier system would cause.’ There is enough academic research actually arguing the exact opposite case to the Council suggest the 2002 conclusion is the right one. The evidence is not there, and the statistics can be made to show anything you want. I suggest therefore that the Council has changed its mind not for the good of our children, but because it wants to cash in on the government’s “Building Schools for the Future” program and needs an eye-catching scheme to attract money for rebuilding programmes.”

Paula Wade
I am a mother of five children who are all in compulsory education. I like many others have grave concerns regarding the proposed restructuring of Suffolk schools and the devastating consequences they could have on a whole generation of children.

Paula Wade
Following the recommendations made by the panel to safeguard village schools, with no optimum or minimum size, how does the panel envisage children coping with transferring from a primary school with less than 100 pupils to a secondary school with an optimum size of 1200 pupils. Is it not the case that many of the small primary schools would close, resulting in children as young as 4 being bussed to school?

Keith Suffling
This is the most important thing that's happened to my family and I must try to protect our Suffolk way of life that I have worked so hard to find. We are so happy in Needham Market. I moved from Ipswich in 1994 to set up home at the age of 24 in an area where the Schools my child would use were first class. 2 years later we had Georgina. She' very happy. Now the Council wants to take all our Middle Schools away.

Donali
I understand one of the key reasons why the council wish to adopt a two tier system is because Year 6 SATS results in a three tier system compare unfavourably with those of a 2-tier system: in my area, the local middle school's pupils then go on to hit their Year 9 target at the end of Year 8 - a year earlier than expected by the government. This information is quietly pushed to one side by the council and I believe it is wrong to mislead the public by touting Year 6 SATS results as the be-all and end-all measuring stick for education in this area. Furthermore, I believe that a three-tier system prepares young people more gently for growing up: I passionately hope that my 3-year old and 6-year old have the opportunity to attend a middle school for at least this one reason. I would much prefer to see them with 8 year olds, aged 4; with 13 year-olds, aged 9; and with 16 year-olds, aged 13. Young people are thus more mature and far better prepared to deal with the more negative elements of any community in this pastorally stronger system. Not to mention the fact that I would much rather my children attended a small-medium sized school than a larger school.

Paul Jones
I live in Hopton, between Ixworth and Diss, and my daughter attends the small village school. It is at the heart of our community and I am concerned that the school and others like it could face closure if the plans are implemented. Can Patricia explain the extent to which the Council has considered the effects of school closures on local communities?

Mrs L.M. Palmer
Suffolk County Council proposes to change from a 3 tier to a two tier system because allegedly 85% of children are significantly below the national average for progress made by pupils between ages 7 & 11. Yet when they leave Middle Schools at 13 they are actually achieving targets for Yr 9 and go on to achieve above average results at Key Stage 3. This proposal seems to show a complete turn around in your education policy So why are you proposing to tear the heart out of education in Suffolk?

Paul Tams
If standards in middle schools are such a problem why isn't this reflected in Key Stage 3 results. Could it be something to do with the good progress made in middle schools after a poor start, with low standards on entry? If so, doesn't[t this mean that we are getting the priorities wrong. If pupils in Middle Schools make such good progress in years 7 and 8, shouldn't we extend them to year 9?

Alison
OfSTED recognise that there is little to differentiate between the merits of a 2 and 3 tier system - and that there are indeed very clear merits to the 3 tier system (strong pastorally, specialist teachers, better facilities for Years 5 & 6 than in a primary to name but a few). If Suffolk County Council / central government have the billions of pounds available to reorganise an already effective and favoured system, why not plough an equivalent amount of funds into the current system - a few extra classrooms and teachers to decrease class sizes would actually cost significantly less - and see even better results at the Year 6 SATS which councillors purport to be a problem. Another issue worth considering would be to allow middle schools to hold the Year 9 SATS: Year 8 pupils often hit their Year 9 targets while they are still at middle school (perhaps due to the specialist teachers, smaller school, excellent facilities) yet secondary schools are claiming the results of these are down to them. Unfortunately middle schools do not fit into the mould by which central government like to judge schools, so maybe they should be judged by separate criteria: OfSTED certainly seem to like middles.

Sarah Brown
Patricia O'Brien says that 3 tiers schools do less well. how come the Sunday Times called King Edwards VI in Bury the 'TOP SCHOOL IN SUFFOLK.??

Claire Mortimer
Having worked as a teacher in both the two tier and three tier system, I am firmly in favour of middle schools, seeing them as providing a higher standard of social and age appropriate education. I am deeply concerned at this decision, feeling that it is change for change's sake in the face of unanimous parental support for middle schools.

stephen
i think suffolk county council is wasting money by going from a 3 tier to a 2tier structure.i think a 11 year old child going to a school same as a 16 year old will feel under more pressure at school

Melvyn Pettitt
I do not think that this should go ahead as the middle schools have proven to be very good schools in the education system. My son has certainly benefitted from his time at the excellent St James middle school in Bury St Edmunds. Also twenty three million pounds spent on the process of assessing the scheme...disgusting waste of tax payers money that could be better spend improving the infrastructure of many existing school buildings.

trudy stuteley woolpit
I am a parent with two boys one in primary the other at middle, they are both doing really well, why change the system completely, why not put the money into improving what we already have, they say the drop happens in their education when they go upto high school, why not move the year or term that they take their SATS. Both of my children are already worried about what will happen, please think hard about this it could reck what we have already, good strong system.

carolyn roberts, kidderminster
I agree with Alison Hembery. My children go to school in Kidderminster, Worcs who are just in the transition from 3 to 2 tier. My son is the first year 5 to stay at first school. I am not imjpressed. He has had vastly reduced opportunities bu remaining there than he would have if he had carried on to middle school. The first schools are not geared up for all the extra curricular activities that are available to middle school children, not to mention the curricular ones. This kind of meddling only serves to reduce the chances of a continuous and settled education for our youngsters. I have to say, I am deeply dissatisfied with the 'service' so far.

David Walton
I was amongst the first pupils to transfer from Long Melford to Sudbury, none of us benefited from this change, all specialist classes were already full to overflowing, I spent most of my time working on the school gardens. My son was also affected by the change in the education system. He was amongst the last to sit and pass the 'Eleven Plus' and attended the 'Grammar School' for a year until comprehensive education came into being, the grammar school level were about a year ahead and had to sit in the classroom going over teaching which they had already gone through until the rest were up to the level of my sons generation, this did none of them any good at all and they became some of the most rebellious in the school, in one of my sons school reports, one quotation 'Your son treats school like a Youth Club' Why didn't someone pick him up by the scuff of the neck and give him a good talking to? The teachers were far too busy in politics - five were suspended for putting up political posters on the school notice boards, the headmaster also took early retirement. Now the authorities want to muck up my Grandson's chance, three generations mucked about by 'political dogma'. I was forever arguing with teachers, my eldest daughter was a very bright child, on transfer to a higher grade school she fell behind quite dramatically, I questioned the teacher as to why? he reply left me dumfounded she said 'She was not there to teach'! The teacher noticed my silent response and ran for the assistance of the headmaster who apologised and assured me he would have words with the teacher, I also had a letter of apology from both The Head and the Teacher concerned.

Ben, Woodbridge
Why not leave the schools as they are, and use the money to bail out Ipswich hospital instead?

Allison Hembery, Needham Market
I am a parent of 3 children my youngest is now 6 Patricia O'Brien has said in the EADT that this change to a 2 tier system will provide a better education for pupils. It may do in 10 years time but that will not at all help the children in the transition period at this time that includes my son. He is due to move into his middle in 2009 My son has special needs - what affect does she think this will have on him.I really worry for his future.Children need stability in their lives not all this upheaval. Please think or him he has had the best possible start in his young life now placed in a special teaching unit within a primary school.Please don't let him down.

Dave Hitchman, Mildenhall
I'm a qualified science teacher with a son in middle school. I have several questions and comments: a) The reorganisation has already cost a large amount of money, and looks set to cost an awful lot more, how long will it take the tax payer to recoup that money, and how does the council think it will spend that amount without detracting from the education of the current children? b) I've looked at the school league tables, and I can't see any significant difference in performance between 2 and 3 tier systems (either way), I've asked for, but not received, the information the council claims to have showing the 2 tier is better than the 3 tier, I'd love that information BEFORE the decision is made. c) As a father I can vouch for the difference in motivation and enthusiasm in my son now that he can do science in a science lab with a science teacher, french with a french teacher, sports with a sports teacher on a sports field etc. etc. etc. I fail to see what benefit he would have gained by waiting 2 years to get that sort of enthusiasm. As a science teacher I can vouch for the impossiblity of teaching science in a general classroom, and the mistakes made when trying this by 'general' (even if good) teachers.

Dawn Dixon, MIldenhall
How Much is it going to cost? No body seems to know the answer to this bottomless question, but funnily enough we are told we can expect an annual 'saving' of 4 million pounds, if they know how much we will be saving why can't we be told how much this project will cost, or is it such a criminal waste of public funds no body will actually dare stand up and say? Just how many hundreds of millions of pounds will it cost? Go on be brave give us the answer, an approximate figure is fine!

Mary Potter, Stowmarket
I would be very disappointed to see Middle schools disapper. My daughter is now a teacher but I really felt that the 3 tier system was right for her in Stowmarket when she was school age. I think it is far better to move up the educational system in gradual stages and experience the big fish/little fish in the pond at 9 and 13. Her birthday is in October and she was ready for a move from her primary school but by going to middle school was spared that shock of moving from a small school to something overwhelmingly large. I really feel that by the time she left middle school her character had been enhanced and she was better able to cope in the social side of the high school. I am always suspicious of statistics as I know that can prove anything you want. We are being told that educationally there is a dip in standards when children move schools at 13 but I am sure I have heard that there are stats that show children who have gone through the middle school are actually performing better than children from the 2 tier system at a later age. Why mend something that is not broken? How are we going to house the 2 tier system? We have children being taught in portacabins now. Why spend so much money when the educational system is already short of money? Will it be the end of village schools? I could go on and on (but I won't) Please do not change the system IT WORKS.