Questions to ask at the 3pm meeting

Hard copies needed of:

a. business plan
b. forecast profit/loss, income statement and balance sheet
c. guarantees over advanced fees, pupils currently intending to do exams that there will be no more disruption

Questions.

1. Communication: can the school confirm that a complete set of phone numbers (landline, mobile) email, postal addresses, fax etc are held on every parent/guardian? If not then will urgent steps be taken to ensure that this is remedied?

2. The new 'investors'. Full background check including details of other schools they own - if any - and assessment as to whether there is any 'culture clash'.

3. Finances: what is needed right now (£400,000 a month operating costs?); what is needed over the next 6 months; what is needed over the next five years - and how will it be financed?

4. What specific steps are being taken to increase revenue - short-term and long term?

5. What specific steps are being taken to reduce costs - short-term and long term?

6. Can job guarantees be given to employees at least for the next 6 months?

7. Will the transition - if any - be seamless?

8. Will there be any effect at all on the pupils and their study?

9. Why was news of the impending problems not mentioned to a) staff or b) parents until December 24th? Someone must have at least have known there was a possibility of these financial difficulties - is there no moral duty to keep interested parties informed?

10. Will any of these current events have an impact on the local community?

(In the 2004 index of deprivation Penzance is listed as having 3 wards within the top 10% for employment deprivation, Penzance East (125th most deprived in England) Penzance West (200th most deprived in England), and Penzance Central (712th most deprived in England)^[42]. 18-31% of households in the parish are described as "poor households".^[43] The Penzance East Ward also has one the highest unemployment rates in Cornwall, stated as 15.4%)

11. Exactly how many pupils are there enrolled and paid up, for this term? and how many have definitely left? (if any?)

12. Some classes are undersubscribed, some oversubscribed. Which - and what steps are being taken to redress this?

13. Capacity at the school is underutilised - by what percentage approximately? What steps are being taken to remedy this?

14. Exam performance. One way of selling the school overseas is through league tables. What steps are being taken to improve league table positions when viewed on a national rather than local basis for IB and GCSE?

15. The Forum had a few mentions of A levels. Will these be introduced as an alternative and a full range of options in both subjects and study time (2 year, 5 term and 1 year 'fast track') be explored for both educational and revenue reasons?

16. We must never lose sight of the educational ethos of Bolitho School, but there is the business side as well (as we now all know!) Will there be any compromising on educational standards and commitments to meet financial targets?

17. Will there be a full and frank Press Release after the meeting that will also appear on the wesbite so that those interested parties not at the meeting will be kept fully-informed?

18. What steps are being taken to actively recruit more Agents to represent the school in such areas as China, Russia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Kazakstahn, Azerbaijan, Iran, Indonesia and Malaysia?

19. Utilising the school's spare capacity. Will the school be offering Easter Courses to non-Bolitho pupils as a commercial enterprise? Will the school also be running summer schools, in particular in English as a Foreign Language. If so, it is assumed a marketing campaign will begin on such sites as this.

20. Will there be an overhaul of all marketing material, in particular the website? This is likely to be the main source of information for international students both now and in the future and is therefore the key marketing tool.