We would like to thank all the many families, residents and others who have expressed such strong support for the vision to have an all-through school in Whiteley. We have been working extremely hard to speak to as many people as possible and have listened to many views. From the start we were aware that the timescale was very short; in fact the final guidance was only released just before Easter. In light of the lack of time for full consultation with a wide range of potential stakeholders, we feel that it would have been too pressurised to submit an application for the 1st June. However, we will continue a second phase of consultation with the aim of submitting a stronger application next year. We do feel that the considerable support of the community, MPs, County Councillors and the Parish Council and various groups means that we will be in a very good position next year and look forward to being able to spend more time ensuring that all groups are fully consulted within a less pressurised timescale. We know that those for whom a 2012 opening would have been so wonderful will be disappointed, but hope that you will understand that something as important as this needs to be done properly; it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity and should not be rushed. Below are some of parts of the process, which we hope will help to put our decision into context.

• New Guidance from the New Schools Network on the application procedure was made available shortly before the Easter break,
• The consultation window started with the first public  meeting on Wednesday 20th April held at the Whiteley Community Centre, Gull Coppice to launch the proposals for an all through 4-16 Academy in Whiteley;
• The second consultation meeting, on Saturday 7th May, was attended by more than 250 people and was overwhelmingly positive with many parents, businesses and residents offering practical support to the project;
• The Whiteley Academy Group have been working hard through the five week consultation window, preparing the application document, talking to parents, residents and local businesses as well as responding to emails and enquiries;
• Consultation meetings have taken place with local Headteachers, Governors, Whiteley Parish Council, education representatives from Hampshire Local Authority and local businesses;
• The first phase of the consultation closed at midday on Friday 27th May;
• At this stage in the consultation more than 332 parents have completed the parent survey expressing an interest in sending their child or children to the Academy, of which 45.9% would definitely put Whiteley Academy as one of their options, 48.5% would possibly put the Academy as one of their choices, with more information, and 5.6% are satisfied with local provision. The current data suggests overwhelming support for the primary phase and significant support for the secondary phase;
• The Whiteley Academy Group intends to continue further consultation over the coming months with a view to the Academy opening in September 2013, giving enough time for this to take place;
• Key to the vision of the Academy is the engagement of local businesses in the planning and development of the Academy proposals.  Support from local businesses has been excellent and the Whiteley Academy Group hope to engage further business representatives in Phase 2 of the consultation through its planned Business Consultation Meetings which will take place later this summer;
• Further consultation meetings are planned with other local representatives and organisations, such as the Diocese and the Police;
• With such positive support from the MPs, the Executive Leader of Fareham Council, Hampshire and Fareham County Council, Whiteley Parish and the local community, the Whiteley Academy Group are encouraged that the dream of a 4-16 Academy will become a reality and will open in September 2013, if its application is successful;
• The group of volunteers is growing on a week-by-week basis and now includes members of local businesses and supportive residents;
• Further consultation and business engagement meetings will be taking place as Phase 2 of the consultation now commences, details of this will be made available via the website by early July;
• Working in partnership with the Parish Council, the Whiteley Academy Group has also met with a representative from the consortium responsible for the proposed North Whiteley housing development to ensure that the on-going consultation takes into account the plans for North Whiteley as they develop;
• The Whiteley Academy Group is currently preparing a new Frequently Asked Questions section on their website (http://http://www.newschoolforwhiteley.co.uk) and the Phase 1 Consultation Report will be available to download from the website in early June.

If you have further questions, please do continue to communicate with us. We will also update you as we have more information, and look forward to being able to put in a more robust application next year.

Regards,

Andrew Saunders Parent voice, Whiteley Academy Group

Last Updated on Friday, 13 January 2012 22:51