Changes to Harpenden Secondary Schools

The primary school allocations for 2011 have been a nightmare for many local parents.  A group has been started by some as they battle to try and get their child the best education that Harpenden has to offer- how successful they are remains to be seen, but something needs to be done to stop this happening again.  Should the sibling rule be abolished for children who are out of catchment?  I was speaking to a friend recently who lives in York and she was saying that distance from the school comes before siblings- a brave move for an authority to make; but it would make a big difference in a place like Harpenden.  We all know of families who, once their child had a school place of their choice, move further way (some families even go as far as renting a property so that they have a local address to put down on school applications!)

Many parents however are breathing a sigh of relief as they have been allocated a school of their choice, and now have the security of the sibling rule for any brothers and sisters who may follow, but will we be in the same situation in 7 years time when it’s time to choose the secondary school we want our children to attend?  Well, if the rumours are true the situation may be avoided!  

Apparently there are plans to build a new secondary school at Harpenden Rugby Club (between Harpenden and Redbourn- a fantastic location as Redbourn has no secondary school provision of its own.) 

The next proposed change may not be as appealing to some local residents though!  Rumours (which is all these are at present) are that Sir John Lawes will expand and take over the Manland site, meaning that Manland will need to be relocated.  Now, these rumours have not been confirmed but they do come from a pretty reliable source; personally I hope that they do go ahead as I don’t want to be battling for a place when my daughter reaches eleven!   

How do you feel about the proposals?  Do you think, if they went ahead, that would be a good move?