Available online
Description
This programme looks at how a committee of volunteers successfully prevents the planned closure of a Hertfordshire secondary school.
This programme looks at how a committee of volunteers successfully prevents the planned closure of a Hertfordshire secondary school.
| Module code and title: | E200, Contemporary issues in education |
|---|---|
| Item code: | E200; 06 |
| First transmission date: | 02-05-1981 |
| Published: | 1981 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:23:17 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | James Burge |
| Contributors: | Ronald Fielding; Donald Holms; Colin Evans; David Nice; George Sheills |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Action Committee; Chancellor's School; Education Committee; Potter's Bar; School closure |
| Footage description: | The programme begins with film of pupils from Chancellor's School, near Potter's Bar, demonstrating against Hertfordshire Education Authority's plans to close the school. Several children are interviewed and explain why they want the school to remain open. A parent adds his support. Film of the school, over which Holms briefly outlines the controversy concerning the proposed closure. Interview with Councillor Ronald Fielding, one of the working party recommending closure. He explains that falling rolls necessitate closure. Shots of shops and affluent housing in the area served by the school, over which Holms describes the strong community support the school receives. Interview with George Sheills, Chairman of the Action Committee fighting to save the school. He stresses the popularity of the school within the local community. Shots of pupils rehearsing a play at the school, then of the drama teacher with a class. Film of a French lesson, then of the schools science labs. In voice-over Holms alludes to the school's traditional teaching methods and high academic standards. In interview acting headmaster Colin Evans argues that falling rolls would not damage the school's standards. Deputy county education officer David Nice is interviewed about the difficulty of long-term forecasting regarding rolls. Film of the Action Committee meeting at the school, over which Holms describes its members and their plans to save the school. In interview Sheills complains about the way in which the decision to close was made, then Nice puts the financial reasons for closure. Shots of the school's demonstration outside Hertford's County Hall on the day that the council will decide the fate of the school. Holm's commentary emphasises the large size of the demonstration. In interview Fielding comments on the importance of such demonstrations. Film of councillors and public entering the council chamber, then leaving it at the end of the debate, over which Holms gives us the results of their deliberations: a deferred decision. Interview with Nice about the implications of the council's decision. In interview Sheills gives reasons for the success of the Action Committee. Short comments from Fielding and Sheills on this. We observe the Action Committee meeting some weeks later, when they discuss ways of strengthening support for Chancellor's School. Sheill is interviewed about what can be learnt from the whole affair. Shots of French lesson. |
| Master spool number: | OU 3565 |
| Production number: | FOUE053N |
| Videofinder number: | 522 |
| Available to public: | no |
