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Pupils’ sad last day at Townsend
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| SCHOOL'S OUT, FOR EVER: The caretaker closes and locks the gates for the last time |
SCHOOL was out not just for summer but forever when pupils went out of the gates of Townsend Primary School in Bournemouth for the very last time.
Emotions were running high among parents as they watched their children leave wearing white shirts covered in messages from friends. Many of the youngsters left their blue school jumpers draped on the fence.
Waiting parent Julian Jessopp said: "I was the first one in this school on the very first day it opened in 1977, and my son Jacob is the last out. I didn't think this day would come. I think it's a great school now.
"I enjoyed my school days here. I wanted him to go to the same place as me, but he's now having to go somewhere miles away from home. It's upsetting him. We also live above the community centre and we don't know if we've got to go. Nobody's told us anything."
Six-year-old Jacob, who will transfer to Malmesbury Park School in September, said: "I've only gone through three classes. I wanted to make it seven."
Peter Penny, who was with his daughters Grace, eight, and Harmony, six, said: "They've been deprived of a school. Everyone is very upset. It's the end of an era.
"There was a massive assembly. Every parent who was available was there and they couldn't get all the people in. It was very emotional. We're losing our school."
| “What this school did for me by way of supporting me helped me get into Bournemouth School and beyond. I hope to be going to university in a year or so.” | | Former pupil Daniel Penny, 18 |
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Mr Penny praised the efforts of head teacher Steve Jessop, who took over a failing school. "He brought it back within a year. Had it been given a chance, it could have gone well."
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| END OF AN ERA: Children and parents commiserate |
His son Daniel, 18, who has just taken his A levels at Bournemouth School, said: "What this school did for me by way of supporting me helped me get into Bournemouth School and beyond. I hope to be going to university in a year or so."
Christine Graydon, whose son Keenan, 11, is moving to King's High, said: "I'm just sad. It's an absolute waste of a good school. All six of my children went here. It's a shame - it's a happy school."
Zoe Abbott said: "I feel devastated. Yet again the council doesn't think. I have seven children from nine to five months and four are here at the moment. I went here - it was my school.
"It's wrong, really wrong. It's the kids the council hasn't thought of at all. The school is not in special measures any more, so what's the reason? It's ripping the community apart."
Official reasons for the closure of Townsend School include quality of education, surplus capacity, value for money and problems recruiting staff.
6:04am Wednesday 23rd July 2008
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CommentPosted by: AGee, B`mth on 12:57pm Wed 23 Jul 08
The very sad end of an era.
The very sad end of an era.
Posted by: snorth8554, bournemouth on 1:45pm Wed 23 Jul 08
RIP Townsend we won't forget!!!
RIP Townsend we won't forget!!!
Posted by: mandy penny, Townsend on 2:08pm Wed 23 Jul 08
Townsend was at its lowest yesterday.The tears we shed as we greived together for loosing what we feel is part of our families.All our 4 children have gone to the school.All credit goes to the fantastic teachers staff govorners and the wonderful Mr Jessop.To know that once we left our precious babies with you they were safe,loved and cared for is something no other school can acheive.Thank you from the bottom of my heart.God Bless,Mandy Penny xx
Townsend was at its lowest yesterday.The tears we shed as we greived together for loosing what we feel is part of our families.All our 4 children have gone to the school.All credit goes to the fantastic teachers staff govorners and the wonderful Mr Jessop.To know that once we left our precious babies with you they were safe,loved and cared for is something no other school can acheive.Thank you from the bottom of my heart.God Bless,Mandy Penny xx
Posted by: Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West on 2:32pm Wed 23 Jul 08
A very sad day indeed. Watching the children leave school with their shirts covered in friends names and the hanging of their jumpers on the trees and fences was a sad sight to see.
Lets now look forward to the holidays, and hope the council will ensure that the Townsend Children and Community Association remain in tacked.
Good luck to the children in their new schools.
[b]Official reasons for the closure of Townsend School include quality of eduction, surplus capacity, value for money and problems recruiting staff.[/b]
None of the above is the fault of the children or the parents of Townsend, but the fault of the Council and the LEA for not ensuring that recruitment was suitable which would have ensured that the quality of education, thus reducing the surplus capacity, and making the school value for money.
Oh dear the LEA and Council said. We made a mistake, we will close it down.
A very sad day indeed. Watching the children leave school with their shirts covered in friends names and the hanging of their jumpers on the trees and fences was a sad sight to see.
Lets now look forward to the holidays, and hope the council will ensure that the Townsend Children and Community Association remain in tacked.
Good luck to the children in their new schools.
Official reasons for the closure of Townsend School include quality of eduction, surplus capacity, value for money and problems recruiting staff.
None of the above is the fault of the children or the parents of Townsend, but the fault of the Council and the LEA for not ensuring that recruitment was suitable which would have ensured that the quality of education, thus reducing the surplus capacity, and making the school value for money.
Oh dear the LEA and Council said. We made a mistake, we will close it down.
Posted by: hoppity, hamworthy on 3:15pm Wed 23 Jul 08
such a shame this it what happens to schools who maybe do not achieve the goverment "stats" and while I understand we should have standards but rather than shutting down the poorer schools we should be supporting them , this includes local gobverment teachers and pupils families. I wish them all well
such a shame this it what happens to schools who maybe do not achieve the goverment "stats" and while I understand we should have standards but rather than shutting down the poorer schools we should be supporting them , this includes local gobverment teachers and pupils families. I wish them all well
Posted by: michael carpenter, BOSCOMBE on 3:33pm Wed 23 Jul 08
A SAD DAY FOR ALL THE CHILDREN. THEY WERE BETRAYED BY THE COUNCIL WHO WILL NOT GET MY VOTE AT THE NEXT ELECTION.
A SAD DAY FOR ALL THE CHILDREN. THEY WERE BETRAYED BY THE COUNCIL WHO WILL NOT GET MY VOTE AT THE NEXT ELECTION.
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