S10 CONSULTATION REPORT Executive Summary 1. In a variety of ways a wide range of stakeholders has been consulted regularly since the inception of this proposal in December 2011 including: prospective parents; local residents, businesses and community groups; local primary schools and pre-school settings and the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (LBRuT), the local MP and ward councillors. 2. The consultation has been carried out in two phases. The initial phase from December 2011 to October 2012 and the Statutory Consultation from 2 November 2012 to 21 December 2012. 3. Stakeholders have responded very positively throughout both phases of the consultation. Suggestions and comments have been considered, responded to, and, where appropriate, incorporated into planning. 1. INITIAL PHASE 1. The initial consultation period ran from December 2011 to October 2012. 2. Methods used to reach stakeholders included: distributing over 3000 consultation leaflets, a website, a Facebook page, 20 email newsletters and many meetings including three public drop-in information sessions (104 total attendance). 3. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Significant numbers of parents indicated they would send their children to the new school. 4. The main issues raised at this stage were traffic / safe access and admissions. This feedback influenced the development of the proposal. 2. STATUTORY CONSULTATION 1. The statutory consultation ran for seven weeks from 2 November to 21 December 2012. 2. 4000 Consultation leaflets were distributed to local residents, primary schools, Council Members, local community groups, prospective parents and other local organisations. 3. Overall 38 responses to the consultation document were received. 4. Three events were organised with various groups during the consultation period: two public open days at the proposed site and stalls at the local village Christmas event. 5. A total of 35 individuals or families attended two open day events at the proposed site. 6. Estimated footfall at the village event was several thousand and about 500 goody bags, which included consultation leaflets, were given out. 7. 82% of respondents support the proposal with 5% opposed. 8. 86% of respondents support the intention to enter a Funding Agreement with the DfE with 7% opposed. 9. Those in favour of the proposal indicated their support for a range of aspects of the proposal including its small size as a 1fe school and the Christian ethos. 10. Those not in favour of the proposal raised general objections to the Free School policy and to faith schools and specific concerns about traffic around the site. Page 1 Initial Consultation Process December 2011- October 2012 The following tables outline the range of consultation activities that have taken place. Relevant information (including up-to-date plans for the school) was made available at every stage and stakeholders have had opportunities to respond in a range of ways: • on-line e.g. website : www.hampton-church-school.org.uk • social networking e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Hampton People’s Network • printed materials e.g. newspaper articles, questionnaires, posters • verbal feedback at face-to-face events e.g. open days, visits to local pre-school groups, meetings with councillors and local headteachers A full list of stakeholders consulted during Phase 1 is available at Appendix 1. 1. CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL PARENTS Date Details Reach / impact December Facebook page created Impressions: 21,885 2011 www.facebook.com/HamptonChurchSchool Likes: 79 (text at Appendix 2) Jan 2012 Information leaflet advertising drop-in 1500 distributed to local homes, nurseries, pre-school & toddler groups 12 Jan 2012 Drop-in morning at prospective site 30 signed register 14 Jan 2012 Drop-in morning at prospective site 56 signed register Feb 2012 Information leaflet advertising drop-in 3000 distributed to local homes, nurseries, pre-school & toddler groups 4 Feb 2012 Drop-in afternoon at prospective site 18 signed register The drop-in events all took place at the proposed site over several hours with a short presentation repeated every hour, visual materials and a chance to raise any question with members of the Trust. Presentations highlighted key aspects of the proposal: • a commitment to educational excellence • a small school where every child is known and valued • a Christian ethos • an emphasis on the arts • teaching guided by the National Curriculum • admissions without regard to religious affiliation or church attendance • priority admissions for children living in Hampton South who are currently disadvantaged and often unplaced because of the location of other schools If prospective parents considered that St Mary’s Church of England School would be their first choice of school they were invited to register on the website. Additionally anyone else who wanted to be kept informed was invited to sign up for a second mailing list on the website. Any issues raised were Page 2 noted, considered by the Trust at a project meeting and addressed, with up to date information regularly conveyed on the website and in monthly email newsletters. 2. CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY Date Details Reach / impact December Information published on Hampton People’s Network: Total page views: 4150 2011 http://hamptonpn.ning.com/ (text at Appendix 3) Number of comments: prompted three discussion chains 88 December Website launched: Visits: 2185 2011 www.hampton-church-school.org.uk Unique visitors: 1421 Page views:7107 December Twitter feed established Followers: 26 2011 @SMHamptonSchool 24 Dec 2012 Information and leaflet available to attendees at St Attendance 500 Mary’s Church Children’s Carol Service Jan 2012 Information leaflet advertising drop-in delivered to 1500 homes in Hampton local residents South Jan 2012 Posters were displayed in shops and on community noticeboards advertising drop-ins Jan 2012 Article in the Richmond and Twickenham Times (paper Circulation 42500 and website) referencing drop-ins www: 36,000 visitors Feb 2012 Information leaflet advertising drop-ins delivered to 3000 homes in Hampton local residents and East Sunbury Regular news in church parish magaZine delivered to 1500 homes in Hampton local residents South, 1500 in Hampton1 More than Email newsletter 170 on mailing list monthly from Jan 2012 Jan 2012 Conversations and correspondence with community Wide-based support for leaders such as Dr Jane Young (former GP) and David proposal, and letters of Parish (Chair of Hampton Fuel Allotment Charity.) endorsement in the application 20 July 2012 Article in the Richmond and Twickenham Times (paper Circulation 42500 and website) www: 36,000 visitors Specific issues and questions raised on the Hampton People’s Network were given an immediate response by Trust members on the network, and wider consideration at Trust planning meetings. Responses were posted on HPN and up to date plans made available on the website and in monthly email newsletters. The first website was a skeleton website with basic information about the school, contact information, a chance for residents to sign up to get involved and prospective parents to register interest. The website was updated and added to at least monthly and a more permanent school website was launched in October 2012. Page 3 3. CONSULTATION WITH LONDON BOROUGH OF RICHMOND, COUNCILLORS AND MP Date Details Reach / impact Dec 2011 Correspondence with Cllrs Suzette Nicholson, Discussing possible school Gareth Roberts, Janet Langthorne, Malcolm Eady 15 Dec 11 Meeting with Matthew Paul, Head of School Initial proposal re bid for school Commissioning, LBRuT 29 Dec 11 Correspondence with MP Vincent Cable Informing him of launch of application. Subsequently writes in support of bid 10 Jan 11 Meeting with local councillors (Cllrs SuZette Exploring use of Oldfield Centre Nicholson, Gareth Roberts, Janet Langthorne), and admisssions policy Matthew Paul and Cllr Paul Hodgins (Cabinet Member for Schools) 5 April 11 Meeting with Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP Briefing him and seeking his support approaching the interview: gained. 26 June 12 Meeting with Matthew Paul After announcement of successful bid – especially around working with Borough on admissions 2 August 12 Meeting with Nick Whitfield, Head of Post announcement – exploring Children’s Services relationship with Borough 18 Sept 12 Interviews for Headteacher with Nick Whitfield He is very supportive of our choice of candidate 4. CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS Local schools have been involved and informed since the conception of the proposal. Date Details Reach / impact 8 Dec 11 Initial conversation with Damian Burke (HT Raising prospect of new schools Hampton Infants) in the area 13 Dec 11 Meeting with Rachel KlucZynski (HT Hampton Raising prospect of new schools Juniors) in the area and threat to existing ones 16 Dec 11 Further conversation with Damian Burke (HT Hampton Infants) 10 Jan 12 Meeting with HTs and governors of HIS and HJS As above but with reference to small school aiming to meet shortage of places in Hampton South 11 Jan 12 Meeting with Barry Martin, (HT Hampton Briefing him and seeking his School) support: gained. Informal conversations with Mike McKaughan (Denmead School), and David Malam (Twickenham Preparatory School). 26 March 12 Meeting with Sue Demont (Principal Hampton Briefing her and seeking her Academy) support : gained. Page 4 8 Nov 12 Formal meeting with local Hts to discuss admission process 19 Nov 12 Meeting with John Logan (Ht St Mary and St Agreed areas of collaboration Peter’s Twickhenham) 22 Nov 12 Meeting with David Malam re Year group Outline plan agreed Mentoring – opportunity for St Mary’s children to mix with older chidlren 5. INITIAL CONSULTATION RESULTS The following analysis includes the comments posted on the Hampton People’s Network social network website, the school Facebook page, comments made via the school website and those made verbally at drop-in sessions. Some comments on the Hampton People’s Network also related to an alternative Free School applicant but only those relating to St Mary’s Church of England School are included here.