The issue of Bruntcliffe High school and the proposal to place the West Leeds SILC (Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre) on the same site has been hotly debated recently with the Headteacher, Governing Body, Parents and MBI Councillors all raising concerns about this relocation.
My worries relate to the impact such a proposal would have on the good work Bruntcliffe are undertaking which has seen standards soar. Not too many years ago Bruntcliffe was part of the schools national challenge process were Central Government kept a close eye on progress in the school as it needed to increase the number of pupils gaining Maths and English GCSE at grade C or above. Bruntcliffe results last year easily passed this threshold and they hit the best GCSE and A levels results ever. My view is the school needs to continue to undertake this work and not be distracted with all the issues that would result from another school being physically plonked on its doorstep. The area of land proposed for this new sighting has already been earmarked to expand the vocational curriculum Bruntcliffe runs which is already nationally recognised and is offering local children a more expansive and relevant programme.
Bussing West Leeds kids from their communities into an area they have no relationship with cannot be good for them. If we are sincere in adopting an inclusive educational approach then these children need to be integrated into their own community - which is the best option for all.
Education Leeds have gone out to consultation and appear to have listened as I understand the proposal has now been withdrawn while a more appropriate location - in West Leeds - is found.
This is good news for Bruntcliffe and good news for West Leeds kids attending the SILC. For once common sense seems to have prevailed!
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