Early in November, without any prior warning, Swindon Borough Council withdrew their offer to the Commonweal School Governing Body to consider the option to relocate the school to the designated secondary site within the Wichelstowe Development.

At one level this decision was welcome in that it means that we now only have one site option on which to base our objective of redeveloping the school. Following notification of their decision, we explored with the Council the prospects of securing funding for a new school and have been told that, through the traditional routes, this is unlikely before 2015! This is very perplexing and frustrating. Having funded an independent feasibility study in 2005 that rejected the “status quo” option, the Council appear to have left us with this as our only alternative. We are not prepared to accept the apparent indifference to the problems of educating our pupils that cascades from the Council’s decision.

So what are we doing about it? In parallel with pursuing funding options through discussions with all local politicians, we are continuing our exploration of the options for improving, redeveloping or rebuilding on the existing site. Initial ideas and options will be available early in the New Year and will capture the views and comments we receive from staff, parents/carers, the local community and others following our open call for input. It is not too late to have your say!

We are also very encouraged that the local community opposition to relocation of Commonweal, has now pledged its support to helping us secure funding for redevelopment on the current site. However the prospect of waiting 10 years for major improvements effectively asks staff, pupils and parents to make do with a teaching and learning environment already viewed in the last two OfSted inspection reports as “inadequate”. This is at a time when the Government is about to introduce major changes to the provision of secondary education by expanding the number of subjects offered to pupils.

It is therefore very important that everyone with an interest in the future of Commonweal School now works collectively to meet the imperative of securing funding for providing new/improved buildings and accommodation as soon as possible. Only in this way can we enable our school to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century and ensure that pupils continue to receive the best possible education.