Super Schools "not a failure"

Despite major criticism of the super schools ideal in Burnley, a spokesman for MP Kitty Usher claims that the project is “not a failure”

Just recently the new Shuttleworth Community Collge site has been branded an ‘eyesore’ by residents, if this is attached to all the other problems the project has faced it’s easy to see why people would consider it a failure. However, Kitty Usher’s office came out fighting yesterday and told me that “saying it is a failure has reached a position before any evidence is taken.”

The problems have come about for a number of reasons: merging schools with local rivialries (namely Ivy Bank and Habergham); managing split campuses; difficulties in finding sites and obtaining planning permission. But Peter Marland, office manager for Kitty Usher, said: “There have been difficulties but the project has a long term future not based on short term difficulties.”

One obvious aim for the new schools was to improve the education system in Burnley and also break up the admissions cycle which sees schools in the west of Burnley densely populated compared to sparsely populated schools on the east side.

Martyn Bell, father of a former pupil of Habergham, told me that he took his son out of the school due to problems the scheme caused. He said: “I was opposed to the proposals from the start, he got into Habergham and that was one of the best schools in the county.

“But when the schools merged there wasn’t the same emphasis on education. It was about getting by, but the violence and lose of grades was worrying for different reasons.

“We took him out of the school and had to send him into private education as there are no longer any good schools in the area.”

However, Mr Marland argued that: “New buildings and providing a better standard of education can not be opposed.

“The local media and political parties opposed the scheme (and) have created the false impression of failure and challenged parent’s faith.”

Questions have to be asked whether the “false impression” that is being created takes into account the violence and Ofsted reports which have often criticised the current schooling system.

He did, however, tell me that this scheme is untested so there is bound to be unforeseen problems in achieving success. Achieving success seems a long, long way away.

Defiantly, Mr Marland told me: “The problems are not irretrievable. The schools are improving and the exam results of the schools have not suffered noticeably since the merger.”

“Once the schools are on one site and have a fixed point with their own, rather than mixed school intake, then it will be up to the management to provide the benefits of the new buildings.”

At the time of proposals most head teachers in the area backed the decision. Ivy Bank headteacher, Mr Stephen Ball said: “It’s great news for the town and the local economy.”

Mrs Debbie Hill, headteacher of Walshaw High School, said: “It’s a great opportunity for Burnley.”

It was back in October 2003 when it was proposed that all Secondary schools in the Burnley/Padiham area would be replaced by five new ‘state-of the-art’ schools.

The sites of Barden, St Theodres, Gawthorpe, Habergham/Ivy Bank and Townley High schools are being replaced by new high-tech schools in a £150 million scheme, each accommodating 1,050 pupils. The other schools affected in the area are Pendle Walton, St Hildas, Mansfield, Walshaw and Edge End.

Since that day plans have been drawn and put into place to various degrees of criticism. Residents from around the Townley area voiced their anger to deputy leader John Prescott. Then when the plans were confirmed the Hambledon site was already over subscribed. If everything wasn’t already bad enough, rats were found at the Shuttleworth site.

As it stands today, you’re hard pushed to find any positives: the schools are still shakey with no real structure or foundation; pupils are being pulled out by their parents; exam results aren’t what they used to be and there is a fear of violence amongst pupils and parents alike.

Only time will tell if the project will, eventually, be a success. But for now all I can say is that I’m glad I got out in time.

Map of the Building Schools for the Future initiative in Burnley and Nelson


View Larger Map

Key: Blue = Old Schools

Yellow = New Schools