FAQ

Answer:

The council is looking for residents to get involved with the scrutiny meetings. There are four ways you can get involved with scrutiny:

You can attend one of the scrutiny committee public meetings (dates for the meetings and what issue is going to discussed can be seen on the calendar and work programme)
You can give evidence to the scrutiny committees
You can apply to join one of the scrutiny committees as a co-opted member (recruitment is through an open competitive process)
You can suggest a topic for the scrutiny committee to check as part of their area of work.

Answer:: At the time when parents were able to apply for places at Secondary transfer (i.e. September 2018) the LA and Diocese was not certain that they would eventually need to consider the closure of Raine’s. This became evident in the late spring of 2019, and after the school’s application numbers had fallen to a level that only 36 offers could be made for admission to Year 7 for September 2019.

Answer:: Parents are not being "instructed" to do anything. The LA has informed parents of the plans for Raine’s School to close in August 2020. A substantial number, particularly those parents of children in Year 9, have applied for other schools as they want to be certain that their child will be able to complete their GCSE studies at the same school. Parents of children in Year 10 have been advised to apply for a 6th form place at an alternative school for September 2020, given that the proposal is for Raine’s to close at the end their child’s Year 11.

Answer:: There are plans for there to be Year 10 at Raine’s for September, but the number of pupils remaining in this year group will very much depend on how many parents decide to apply for places at schools elsewhere.

Answer:: The proposal includes plans for Oaklands School to be expanded to ensure that existing Raine’s pupils are able to transfer to an alternative school nearby. However, it is not being presented as the only option. Parents may also apply for places at alternative schools, including nearby faith schools.

Answer:: The consultation document provides information on other Church of England Schools, both in Tower Hamlets and its surrounding boroughs. This is so that parents, both now and in the future, can seek to secure a place at a Church of England School should they consider the options amongst the other Tower Hamlets unsuitable. Depending on where families live, their nearest appropriate alternative school may be outside Tower Hamlets.

Answer:: There are options for parents to apply for faith schools in Tower Hamlets and in neighbouring boroughs. The London Diocesan Board, the Diocese responsible for Church of England Schools in this area of London, has made special arrangements for Raine’s pupils at nearby Urswick School in Hackney. Raine’s pupils who meet the Urswick Church admissions requirements will be placed at the top of the school’s waiting list.

Answer:: The LA is increasing parental choice by providing additional places at Oaklands and other nearby schools that would otherwise be full. Raine’s has not been full for a number of years and it is therefore evident that it is no longer a popular choice for parents in Tower Hamlets and surrounding areas.

Answer:: There were 388 pupils on roll in Years 7 to 11 at the last census in Jan. The current number is 372 (Years 7 to 11).

Answer:: Parents who have concerns about their children’s education can approach their school or the local authority at any time. If, following this consultation, it is decided to go ahead with these plans a further meeting will be called at the end of the autumn term to hear representations about the "statutory proposals" which will have to be published at that time.

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