I am a founder member of CHO1CE.

CHO1CE was formed in October 1997, long before the Secondary Transfer Scheme became an issue here in Borehamwood. We originally sent a petition to County expressing our concerns at the three tier system being out of step with the National Curriculum Key Stages, and that we felt it was detrimental to our children's education.

We have made a point of drawing these important issues to the attention of all parents and resident s in Borehamwood. County has produced a number of documents which have been distributed via schools, clinics, surgeries, pre-schools, library and the Civic offices. The Borehamwood Times has also covered these issues in great detail, and various Public Meetings have been held by County and by CHO1CE since February 1998. At last Friday's Public Meeting we were also shown a copy of the Hertsmere Report which also details these changes, and is to be distributed to every household in Borehamwood. Therefore, I find it quite astonishing that SOS feel that the public has been kept in the dark. Everyone had an opportunity to respond to the last Consultation Document. We have now moved on, and the next phase of the consultation period is to consider the latest document which puts forward two options, and it is important that all parents read and respond to this document, because it will affect their children.

SOS, on the whole, consists of people who are in support of just two schools (Furzehill and Hillside) due to close. They are not worried about the other three also due to close, or the eight First Schools.

The only other alternative recently put forward by SOS would still mean the closure of the other Middle and Upper schools, but also the First schools. Their alternative proposal would not give us viable Infant schools. It would mean larger Junior schools, with an unnecessary move between the two at an even younger age. Neither would we have viable 6th forms in both Secondary schools. But, of course, their schools would remain open!

SOS would also have us believe that SEN is a huge problem and the cause of poor results here in Borehamwood. But let's put this into context. Yes, SEN is a problem in Borehamwood, but the 40 percent referred to can vary from a mild concern over a family problem -- for example, a 6 year old experiencing difficulty with spelling which may require extra monitoring by the teacher and parents -- through to a full blown Special Needs teaching requirement. Children go on and come off the SEN register at various different stages during their time at school. But, on the whole, Special Education Needs is not a condition for life.

SOS also complain about the extra work their children will have when they move to the Hawksmoor and Holmshill sites, but they are not worried about the children who currently live on the Organ Hill estate and walk just as far to Hawksmoor and even further to Hillside.

I, together with other members of CHO1CE, am delighted that County are now proposing we change to a two tier system. Now, we have to decide whether one or two secondary schools is the best way forward.

Two secondary schools would not give us two viable 6th forms. I wonder whether people realise that currently both Hillside and Hawksmoor 6th form pupils are having to travel between the two schools to their various 'A' Level subjects, not specialist subjects which you might expect to be less well attended.

One school -- split on two sites with the potential for 1,650 11 to 16 year olds on the old Hawksmoor site, and more than 350 6th formers on the old Hawksmoor site -- would be better funded, able to offer a greater range of subjects and courses and have far better facilities than two schools could ever offer. It would be able to offer a wide range of GCSE, 'A' Level and Vocational courses and subjects, allowing children to stay on at school rather than having to leave and travel to other colleges outside the area. Maybe this will also help the drop-out rate of those students who start but don't complete their 'A' Levels due to excessive travelling. As far as drugs and bullying are concerned, there is no evidence that these will be any more prevalent in one large school than in two smaller schools. In fact, there was a case of bullying in one of our middle schools recently, which resulted in a child being taken to hospital. What makes the difference are teachers, school's management and parents firm enough to deal with these situations and to show that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.

Up and down the country there are examples of good "super" schools and I'm sure that County will take on these good examples, as well as learning from the mistakes made at the Riding Schools. There is enough evidence to make this school work.

Therefore, it is imperative that parents think about these issues more long term. At the moment people are only thinking in terms of disruption over the next two or three years. What is more important is the quality of education and the choice of subjects available to our children at GCSE and 'A' Level, not the brick and mortar that it's delivered in.

If you have not got a copy of the Consultation Document and would like one, you can pick one up from the various places mentioned above or contact County on 01992 555975 or 588534. Please be sure to read this document carefully before you make your decision as it is irresponsible for anyone to just complete the document out of misguided loyalty to the schools involved in the closure.

I am heartened that the vast majority of teachers from First, Middle and Upper Schools are supportive of this one school option, and feel that with the goodwill and support of everyone in the community, we should have an education system here in Borehamwood to be proud of.

Wendy Shorter,

Malden Road, Borehamwood

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.