Campaigners have WON their fight to keep St Dom’s open, with the school set to be run by a new trust set up by parents.
The Parents Action Group at St Dominic’s Priory School in Station Road have spent the last few weeks, with the help of many parents, constructing a business plan and in meetings with the school’s trustees.
The group announced tonight that a trust has been set up and that the existing trustees will support it with a “significant” cash injection. The school will be ‘owned’ by the new trust and managed by a new board of governors. The site the school operates from will continue to be owned by the English Dominican Congregation (Stone) Charitable Fund, with the school leasing and licensing the site from the Fund.
A letter from the Action Group to parents says: “We understand that the last three weeks have been very unsettling – as fellow parents we have all wrestled with the dilemma that we have been faced with. However, we strongly believe that the resolution of St Dominic’s current problems means the school is now best placed to realise the potential of our children.”
There is lots more information at the Parents Action Group website.
3 comments
Elizabeth Kelsall
I am Jane Elizabeth Kelsall (now know as Elizabeth Kelsall) an ex pupil of St. Doms. 1967-1974.
I wish the Parents Action Group all the best luck in the world in their quest to keep the school open. I wish I could lend more suport but living on a tiny island (Vanuatu) in the South Pacific makes it difficult but my thoughts are with you all. St Doms. was a big part of my life and the special nurturing that Sister Mary Mark (Head Mistress at the time) gave me at a difficult time of my schooling was certainly a turning point in my education and attitude. She had faith in me when others had none. I will never forget my time at the school and I know that keeping such a school open will help lots of other children as I’m sure the school ethos remains strong. Whilst having strong disciplin it leaves space for individual development, talent and indep[endence.
I believe one of my Classmates still teaches at the school. Good luck Caroline. Please keep me posted as to how the school is.
Jamie Summerfield
Hello Elizabeth. Many, many thanks for posting from Vanuatu. Really great to hear from you. I’ve read so many testaments to just how good the school is. It’s wonderful that a group of parents have been able to save it. What took you to the South Pacific by the way?