We are writing to you as concerned parents of Stackpole VC School.

Whilst we would undoubtedly prefer none of the schools on the peninsula to be forced to close, we are also aware of the need to address surplus places and the resulting budgetary constraints this creates on the individual schools. Indeed, the delays by the Council in moving forward with this consultation process have only exacerbated the issue of falling numbers.

As a result, we do not wish to hold up the process further but rather to offer an alternative proposal to the Council’s preferred option for your consideration.

Our reasons for putting forward an alternative proposal stem from the many questions and concerns outlined below. We would appreciate, if possible, a full debate on these key matters.

• Has an environmental impact assessment been carried out with regards to the increase in the carbon footprint which would be created by the construction of a new school on a green field site, bearing in mind that there will still be the embedded carbon remaining within the 3 existing sites? Indeed, should the large playing fields and extensive gardens at Stackpole VC School be sold for development, there would be even further loss of green space and increased carbon footprint. What lesson does this teach our children about sustainability and carbon reduction.

• The argument for choosing Hundleton appears to centre around the travel and transport times for school contract buses, mainly for the children in the Angle catchment. The travel times from Angle to Stackpole appear to be based on a journey which would involve detours in order to pick up children on the current Stackpole catchment bus route. Has the Council considered any alternative transport arrangements such as a dedicated non stop shuttle service from Angle to Stackpole either by a school owned minibus or by utilising the Council’s own coastal cruiser buses? Are we able to request some “outside the box” thinking here?

• Nowhere in the report does it state how much the preferred option will cost.

The average cost of a new primary school is around £5m. The guidance on the 21st Century website outlines that the economic case for any proposal has to optimise value for money. As Council Members, are you satisfied that the preferred option achieves the optimum value for money solution when at a fraction of the cost of a new build, 21st Century funding could be spent on a new Foundation Phase wing on the existing Stackpole site (for comparison, Broadhaven School extension was around £2m). This would increase capacity and enable the school and communities to continue to grow rather than decline further as pupil numbers dwindle during the construction period of a new build. It would also continue to provide a “heart” community on the peninsula rather than a brownfield hub as is possibly suggested in the report.

• The preferred option is for a new school to be established on a new site in Hundleton.

What sites in Hundleton are being considered?

There is concern that it could be the community playing fields or land to the rear of Orielton School. The report states that a key theme of the consultation in relation to new provision was that the location needed to be known before agreeing to it.

• The report gives no indication of the proposed new schools capacity in terms of size and pupil numbers.

Based on these fundamental issues, we would like to propose an alternative option for consideration as the preferred option to go forward to statutory consultation: That Stackpole VC School be used as the base site for the peninsula exploring the alternative travel options outlined above.

This will resolve the immediate issues of surplus places and individual school budget constraints whilst providing the most environmentally friendly solution and retaining a site in the “heart” of a community. This proposal could even be put forward on a trial basis if necessary, allowing the Council time to evaluate the logistics centred around school transport and journey times. Stackpole VC School can actually accommodate all the children on the peninsula in it’s current state for the duration of the trial period. We understand that you will not be able to respond as this may be construed as predetermining your decision and so exclude you from voting. We do however appreciate your time and would like to thank you for considering the alternative proposal put forward.

Parents of Stackpole VC School