Back in 1979 there was a major shake up of schools in Barrow, when all of the schools went ‘Comprehensive’. Several schools joined together to make the current schools in existence today. Parkview was made up from Risedale, Grammar Boys and Grammar girls, Thorncliffe from the Technical school and Thorncliffe, Alfred Barrow From Holker St and Alfred Barrow, as well as the Sixth form being created and others not involved in the academy joining together. The argument that this transition did not cause a real disruption has been used as an example of how easy the academy will be to create without any problems.

Having had a few messages on the matter we have these views.

‘When the merger in 1979 took place schools were a very different place. The mergers were well planned but there were not the same issues at the time.

1.       In 1979 all of the curriculums within all schools were basically the same. It didn’t matter if you were at Grammar or Risedale, you either took GCE or CSE classes. You could then take your exams at any centre without a problem. In 2009 there are so many combinations of exam boards and different curriculums that from one school to another that it is impossible for teachers from one school to know what is taught at another.

2.       In 1979 in order to integrate the equivalent of ‘IT systems’ we had to move some filing cabinets across sites as all records were on paper, all sites were pretty close and this could be done at any time. If a file that was needed had been moved over incorrectly we simply walked over to the place it was kept and got the information from it. In 2009 this is probably the biggest problem facing the academy. Having spoken to some of the ICT people this is a mammoth challenge and impossible in the time allowed. Different schools have different systems in place and in order to get them all working in unison is out of the question. If a brand new build had been in place the transition would have been so much easier. ‘Snapshots of each system would have been taken from each school and merged, then updated to give the current situation. Trying to merge three systems over the holidays will be a nightmare, getting all of the data together will be another nightmare, getting the two sites to integrate will be a nightmare and getting uses up to speed on one new system will take months’. That is the view of the people who are responsible for the job. It is all very well people at the top stating that it will be an easy transition, the people on the ground know better and have NOT been consulted properly in order to air their concerns.

3.       In 1979 a large number of staff changed roles and moved from one school to another. Despite following a similar curriculum throughout this did still cause problems. There were large numbers of staff moving mainly due to the Sixth form creation taking good teachers from mainstream schools. At the time as I remember it you had a degree in a subject then you took the teaching exams in order to teach. In 2009 you simply take a teaching course in whatever subject and are able to teach ANY subject. I am aware, through colleagues, of one school that has more maths teachers that have NO grounding in maths AT ALL!

In fact there are more Geography teachers in that school in the maths department than there are maths teachers! How can that be right? Surely you take your degree in a subject then learn to teach what you know properly, not be taught to teach then pass on what you think is correct!

I have totally lost heart in the teaching profession and will be leaving as soon as I can. Many, but not all, people coming In to this profession have dollar signs in their eyes. In many schools, not all, it brings an easy life with good rewards. I used to really earn an honest crust by teaching but now I get a lot of pressure on me to meet targets and do things I never became a teacher to do. If I am not able to do the job I want I will leave at Christmas.'