I have heard it said that Sevenoaks has a strong community
spirit. Right now could be the greatest
test of this assertion. Once again significant
numbers of local children have been disappointed with secondary school offers;
being offered a non-selective that wasn’t on the application form or a school they’ve never
heard of in Maidstone.
This year however, something different has happened. Knole Academy has undertaken to specifically
cater for these students locally, by offering a grammar stream, a guarantee
that they will be in the top streams at least until year 9. So – this community has a choice. It can continue to go on waiting lists and
appeal for places at what will be increasingly over-crowded schools, some 9-12
miles away, or it can do something different. I have heard of groups of 3 or 4 parents making pacts between themselves
to accept the places offered at Knole. Knole
already has 11+ children in each year; what if 30 parents were prepared to make
a public pact? An entire form of grammar
ability children, with such parental and peer support, working in partnership
with the school would be a powerful force.
There is a lot at stake here for Knole.
Its reputation is on the line; established as an all ability school, with Sevenoaks School as a sponsor to cater for
exactly this type of child – are they seriously going to allow this to
fail?
Many people discount Knole without having even stepped over
the threshold. I have heard from a wide
range of people that Knole doesn’t offer triple science – a commonly held
opinion that on investigation reveals itself to be untrue. Knole won’t be the right option for all
children, but perhaps for 25 – 30 of those in the nightmare situation right
now, it could be.
Can community spirit win through?