What next?

Julia Hopson released a statement late on Tuesday 29th December:




"To all parents, pupils and staff I have just come home after a three hour meeting with Grant Thornton and can confirm that very positive negotiations are continuing through the night. I look forward to seeing you all at the meeting at 3pm tomorrow in the Gym.

Julia Hopson Chair of Governors"

This of course is excellent news, for Julia (as a parent and as a governor) and for her children (and other children) at the school.

Some questions remain though:

1. Who is buying in - and what is the reputation of the investor? Despite good websites, not all are universally liked...

2. Given the importance to Penzance in terms of image as well as employment, will the culture of the school change at all?

3. Will the school be sold for a knock-down price? According to 'Mike' in the forums:

" According to notes issued at the meetings in January the school was valued in 2006 at £3 million so we would all be OK. Unfortunately I suspect it is valued considerably less than that in the present market as a school but hopefully it would still cover the £2million. If the school was sold as a potential building plot (which would require potentially endless negotiations with Cornwall County Council) then it could realise a lot more but there is no guarantee that this would ever happen. Of course even if it was worth more than £2 million it has to be sold and all the costs associated with that would be paid first. If this is handled by a lot of expensive city lawyers, accountants and administrators the bill could be substantial. So it is all looking a bit borderline."

4. Will the pupils who are - allegedly - leaving make much difference to the school's revenue and/or any difference to the investment offered?

5. Are staff jobs/pupil places, safe?

6. What actions will be taken to ensure that this situation does not become an annual event?