But they would know the website address for the school.
Owing to time differences it is likely that some parents overseas will look at the website late tonight - and see nothing new.
According to the BBC Mark Shere said:
""I'm delighted to say the school will be reopening at the beginning of next ter Not every parent will have bookmarked them, obviously we've got one of two small negotiations in terms of people coming to re-finance but as far as we're concerned that is almost completed.""
Grant Thornton were more cautious:
Alistair Wardell from Grant Thornton said if the deal with Gems was not finalised before the new year the opening of the school may be delayed until 11 January or it may not open at all.
He said: "We are very close to a deal with a potential purchaser, unfortunately the deal is complex, there are issues that are still coming out and in order to confirm that the school will open on the basis of a sale, we need to do that by 30 December."
It does certainly look like GEMS will save the school, but will it be the same school in a year's time as it is now?
In some respects - such as examination results, subject choices, range of examinations, utilising capacity - it will be far better.
In other respects, job security, treatment of employees, budget targets imposed, non-essential expenditure curtailed - it will not.
However it is precisely because (in part) of the rather lavish treatment of teachers and pupils that Bolitho got into this mess in the first place. In an education market where European students can study elsewhere, for free, and still get good results it was always going to be the non-EU market that Bolitho was going to look towards in terms of an income stream. (And that, of course, is where one of GEMS's many strengths lies.)
In terms of EU students - especially those from the UK - some jumped ship some time ago, in part because of the lack of organisation/communication from the school:
"We made the decision to leave earlier this year. There was a consistent lack of information coming from the school when it asked parents to bale the school out yet again. Inevitably this led to rumours and chinese whispers. This isnt the first time the school have gone to parents for money. The school nearly closed when it was st clares and again 6 or so years ago when parents paid money into the school to keep it running.as they did yet again this year. What makes parents think that if the school can be sold it will make any difference ? Why is the school running at a loss anyway? Its not commercial sense - it is commercial suicide and we are now seeing the final results of this gross negligence and incompetence. It is not rocket science. Maybe parents should look at other schools we are certainly really pleased. Our child is now much happier and working at a higher educational level. I think what everyone is overlooking is what this is doing to the children. So stop bickering between yourselves and as someone wrote "wake up and smell the coffee!!!!!"
Time after time posts in the forum and press releases have stressed that one of the main strenghts of Bolitho is the experience, ability and attitude of the teachers. Some teachers have responded in kind posting in Twitter and on the Forum about what a wonderful job it is and how great the kids are:
Simon (ICT) wrote:
"I would like to thank the kind comments from parents during and after the meeting. I have been at the school coming up 10 years and it is the atmosphere that has kept me there. Wonderful children, supportive parents and a freedom to teach exciting topics that you would not get if you had to blindly follow a national curriculum to the letter.
I sincerely hope that the deal does go through successfully as I believe that GEMS want to preserve what is best about Bolitho and give us the support to grow. I think we could have exciting times ahead of us! With Mr Litherland's outstanding efforts I think there is now no excuse for Year 11 to not get that ICT coursework done by next week! See you in schooI'"
Parents reciprocate, in some cases offering financial 'extras' to the teachers as a 'reward' for recent stresses. They write of a 'holistic' approach:
"I am sure that we have all looked at alternative schools prior to enrolling our children at Bolitho. I choose this school because it had a good academic record but importantly felt that there was a more holistic approach to the development of my daughter as an individual and equipping her to deal with the world in which we are now living. I am confident that with the amazing spirit from the body of parents remaining, and with the Gems deal, that the school is on the edge of a launch pad for success not your predicted belly flop! I don't know about coffee, I'm getting a whiff of sour grape!"
This 'holistic' approach should not be unusual - it is what is expected from all, at the very least, independent schools - it is one of the things you pay for! You also get a 'holistic' approach form many state schools. Pastoral care....extra curricular activities....parents meetings....support groups....etc.
Remember too, as state schools in the catchment area improve and improve - in terms of examination results, subject and course choices, facilities and resources - so Bolitho will become more and more dependent on the overseas market. GEMS's expertise lies in 'international type' schools so they are likely to welcome this. However, as numbers increase, in particular from international students whose first language is not English so resources (now more tightly controlled) will be stretched. The needs of international students are different - they are more likely to need extra English (EFL) classes and guidance/advice about 'British culture'. In general international students represent the 'best' (certainly in terms of income) from other countries. The abilities of such students - certainly their background education if they enrol only in the Sixth form - is often superior. Chinese and Russians are often way ahead of UK students in Mathematics, for example. By definition, international students will also have a greater awareness of international culture and customs - plus they will be fluent in one, becoming two, languages.
Minimum.
So the needs of the UK students will not be the needs of the internationals.
The UK students will, over time, also not represent the core (post-16) market.
Resources will be more controlled than before.
Therefore Sixth Form UK students are likely to have a smaller share of the 'educational pie' than before - or at the least not have as great a reward for their financial commitment, as before.
This too means they are more likely to look elsewhere, increasing the student imbalance in class.
Given that, for UK students/pupils, it is the 'holistic attitude' of Bolitho that makes it so special, it is likely that bias towards UK students will decrease.
Something for the parents currently agreeing the interim plan which entails paying money up front, to consider.
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