Dear Year 5 Parents

Considering where your child might go to secondary school in September 2009 is probably not one of your immediate priorities, but if you want to ensure that your child has the opportunity of going to the Howard of Effingham, which is your only local secondary school, you should read on!

Surrey County Council (SCC) is currently considering its 2009 admissions policy options and will open them up for public consultation during November.  After consultation is completed, as early as February 2008, it will be very difficult to change the criteria for admissions.

This week a document was published on the SCC web site describing the options upon which SCC are seeking the public’s views. Some of the options could, if adopted by SCC, once again significantly impact our community. As a community, we have, in the last six months, worked hard to gain a fairer admissions policy for Horsley children. Significant progress has been made, but we need to continue if we are to prevent large numbers of Horsley children from being excluded from the Howard.

Other communities are now becoming concerned and also wish to influence SCC’s admissions policy in the way Keep Horsley in the Howard (KHitH)  has. KHitH is looking to work with the relevant communities to ensure fair criteria are put in place.  In doing this we wish to ensure that children in Horsley, Effingham and Bookham who have traditionally gained access to the Howard, continue to do so.

 KHitH needs new volunteers to carry this forward.   KHitH is you!  If you wish your child to go to the Howard, we need to hear from you , so that we ensure we are representing your views properly and so that you can become involved to the extent you wish.

 To become involved, or learn more about the 2009 admissions issues, please speak to Steve Beaumont (01483 283031) or Melanie McLaren (01483 283173).

Melanie McLaren, on behalf of Keep Horsley in The Howard