Open meeting at Great Yarmouth Town Hall in response to the 45 hour school week proposed by Greenacre Primary School.
Picture: James Bass
Headmaster fails to attend heated meeting over 45-hour school week
Sam Russell
Friday, July 13, 2012
8:06 PM
Dozens of parents attended a public meeting this evening where concerns were aired over a planned 45-hour primary school week.
Open meeting at Great Yarmouth Town Hall in response to the 45 hour school week proposed by Greenacre Primary School.
Picture: James BassGreenacre Primary School, in Great Yarmouth, is planning to introduce the radical timetable when it becomes an academy in September, with homework time and extracurricular activities built into the longer school day.
But concerned parents believe keeping year five and six children in school until 6pm each night will tire them out and harm family time, and that the long day should be optional.
A public meeting was held at Yarmouth Town Hall last night, with more than 60 parents hoping to discuss their worries with headmaster Bill Holledge and millionaire sponsor Theodore Agnew.
But neither turned up, and Yarmouth MP Brandon Lewis also declined an invitation.
Open meeting at Great Yarmouth Town Hall in response to the 45 hour school week proposed by Greenacre Primary School.
Picture: James BassThe trio said they had prior commitments, with Mr Lewis sending an aide who read a statement on his behalf and Mr Holledge circulating a document answering some frequently asked questions about the plans.
Mother-of-one Valli Catchpole said: “I’m disappointed the headmaster was not here to voice his own opinions.”
For the full story see tomorrow’s EDP
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13 comments
seems to me that parents who can be botheredto attend public meeting about their childs school actually DO care. Those that don't attend seem not to (or maybe they have something to hide...)
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ThePresence
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Johnny Norfolk should take a good look at himself. How we judge others says nothing about others but much about ourselves. Pomposity personified.
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micklynn
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Michael Gove, who I understand is close to Mr Agnew are more interested in implementing educational reform from afar, rather than takinf up the conservative mantra of 'Localism' Strange then that Mr Gove once said, ' The only sustainable ethical foundation for society is a belief in the innate worth and dignity of every individual' When such a meeting fails to include either the MP, The headmaster, nor the representatives of this proposal, I am amazed that anyone can blame the parents! This is all about making money from private education initiatives, rather then any respect for the dignity of the pupils or parents. Once again we see the view expressed here that its all the fault of Yarmouth and its inhabitants! Nothing could be further from the truth! After years of political interference, and lack of funding, We still have some excellent hard working teachers and parents who are only to aware of the problems facing their schools. The fact they are upset by this intrusion is hardly surprising!
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Nick
Saturday, July 14, 2012
We have a Headmaster who is trying to improve the education and life chances for his pupils. Then we have what looked like to me yob ignorant parents who do not want an education for their children. God help this country trying to deal with people like this. You can understand why there are sink schools.That is all they are fit for. Probably the Labour pary trying to wind them up.
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Johnny Norfolk
Saturday, July 14, 2012
How truly foul, ignorant and demeaning some of these comments are about our Greenacre community by ignorant know-alls who in fact know nothing about us!!!!!
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Stanley
Saturday, July 14, 2012
How boring to still be listening to the moaning of certain parents, how many of these concerned parents started a petition when the school was failing? I don't believe any did! What is it that they are most concerned about, is it the lack of family time or that their children may actually end up being more intelligent than they are? Or is it that they will have to make themselves available for work? Instead of slagging off the Headteacher they should be encouraging their children to have higher aspirations than they have. I saw the parents that turned up to the Town Hall meeting and well what can I say?Who did they interview, a mother of 10 children who sponges off the state! As a working mum that works in a High School, I think it's very concerning that some children at the age of 1112 arrive at High School unable to spell their own name. Parents should be welcoming this opportunity for their children not slagging it off!
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Star 36
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Long live the Colonel Blimps of Norfolk!!
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micklynn
Saturday, July 14, 2012
What sweeping prejudiced comments are being made here of the parents by 'dg123' and 'a fine city'. How do they know anything of the parent's backgrounds or efforts? And 'rabble rousing'? Where does that come in?
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micklynn
Saturday, July 14, 2012
What a shame that the mob didn't get their chance to have a go. If only they put such energy into supporting their children's learning at home. Heaven help Great Yarmouth if this kind of rabble rousing is typical. Give the kids a chance of a decent education.
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a fine city
Friday, July 13, 2012
How rude and disrespectful to the parents is this head teacher. So much for wanting to consult with us!!
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Stanley
Friday, July 13, 2012
Not quite the same, but Greenacre parents, think Burston.
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Daisy Roots
Friday, July 13, 2012
perhaps the parents would've been better off staying at home having the 'family time' they all allege they will miss or even helping the children to learn to read and do their homework perhaps?
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dg123
Friday, July 13, 2012
Not quite the same, but Greenacre parents, think Burston.
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Daisy Roots
Friday, July 13, 2012