Casterton-Sedbergh schools merger: 'Up to 50 jobs' at risk (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Sakura Owl wrote:
Casterton School is an outstanding school with outstanding teachers and support staff. Every single person who works there is more than happy to "go the extra mile" for the girls. How 1 man and his 7 supporters could simply give it away is totally beyond the comprehension of so many parents. Casterton Staff and Girls, you truly deserved better. Shame on you governors! You have caused untold damage to so many through your arrogance. This "merger" is not what parents want. Every job loss will be on your conscience as there were alternative ways forward.

mike21up wrote:
Be interesting to see what the final job loss total is given that virtually all Casterton girls are intending to go to other schools, either after Easter or in September. As Mr Fleck himself admitted last week "different families are making different arrangements" ie. any school but Sedbergh. Just goes to show why the governors didn't consult the parents before giving the school assets away. The knew that their "merger" idea would be met with a resounding NO. Such a sad end to a great school.

interestedparent wrote:
http://bit.ly/11p4DX

J

Look at this! It's true - the Old Vicarage, AKA the Head's house really is up for sale already.

Blimey Sedbergh - own goal?

IanLewis wrote:
I feel sorry for the pupils of Casterton and the staff of both schools, who this is affecting the most. I hope the pupils and their families either manage to come to terms with the change to a co-ed school, or are able to find a different all girls school. Mostly I feel sorry for the forgotten staff, I.e those support staff that nobody seems to be concerned about, I.e grounds, maintenance, catering, cleaning, laundry, IT, security....many of these staff will be facing redundancy, especially those in 'middle management' Lets be honest, those at the top of the tree, I.e Bursar, Finance bursar, HR Manager, Estates bursar, HM's are likely to be ok, those at a lower level, I.e kitchen assistants, cleaners, maintenance people are likely to be ok, however those in the middle, the on the ground managers, those that fall between these 2 groups are the ones affected, as there will be dual roles at both sites. I do hope this is being done fairly and sensitively, however knowing Sedberghs track record I doubt this is the case.

numbtoday wrote:
Astonishing. Ink not even dry on the merger papers, yet the Old Vic up for sale. I do not think they could have made it more obvious that this was a set up from the off. Unbelievable. I cannot decide whether I am more upset at the fact that no parents were allowed to argue against the merger or that the buildings are already being sold off. Have met parents today who were planning on sending their sons to Sedbergh. But after all this negative publicity they have changed their minds!! They are going elsewhere.

disgustedparent wrote:
As the parents of a Sedbergh pupil we are in total agreement with everything we are reading here. We are disgusted by the actions of the Governors at both schools. Shame on you Sedbergh - this is NOT what we signed up for.

xross9 wrote:
NWA (North West Auctions) appear to have M B Hodgson and Fisher Wrathall under their umbrella - interesting Blog feature dated 10/03/12 on NWA website

Observer21 wrote:

zaney5 wrote:

sibbetson wrote:
Just so everybody knows: Fisher Wrathall used to be Wrathall Hodgson.

I do not know if there is any connection to Michael CL Hodgson, which is the estate agency owned by Colin Tomlinson recently retired Governor and betrayer of my daughter's school.

Probably no connection... however.... from the FW website....

"Fisher Wrathall was formed in 1994 by the amalgamation of Michael Fisher Associates and Hodgson Wrathall"

Michael Fisher + Hodgson Wrathall = Fisher Wrathall + Michael Hodgson.

Coincidence?

There is no connection... why are you speculating? Ridiculous.

mike21up wrote:
Be interesting to see what the final job loss total is given that virtually all Casterton girls are intending to go to other schools, either after Easter or in September. As Mr Fleck himself admitted last week "different families are making different arrangements" ie. any school but Sedbergh. Just goes to show why the governors didn't consult the parents before giving the school assets away. The knew that their "merger" idea would be met with a resounding NO. Such a sad end to a great school.

ParentFriend wrote:
I hadn't been proposing to respond but feel the need to break the promise to myself.

"interestedpare
nt" with your quote of less charitable thoughts for Sedbergh, as well as certain other individuals. I guess you have chosen not to heed the carefully selected words throughout my earlier comment (which I deliberately - without resorting to malicious phrases - wrote to apply to staff at both schools, incl support not just teaching).

I do hope my suffering Sedbergh friends incl their equally affected YOUNG children do not read or get to hear about your comments. May be you should carefully re-visit my (earlier) last para & STOP TO THINK before selecting your, presumably, carefully chosen words.

Casterton 1 wrote:
Interesting some of the comments regarding Mr Fleck from Sibbetson. as the consultation meetings only start tody i think you have your facts wrong ! Sedbergh are in a win/win position but that is because of how Casterton has been run for many years.

sibbetson wrote:
Dear Rosie Liberty,

actually staff are coming out of job interviews in tears. I have spoken to some who are not only sad for themselves but outraged on behalf of their colleagues.

I don't understand. It is so painful to see loyal people so distressed. I can't see why at the very least they couldn't have been dispatched with kindness, sensitivity, and understanding of their problems.

I don't understand. Kindness costs nothing. These people have been generous with their time, their efforts and their support of my daughter: and they deserve the best treatment they could be given.

Thegreenman2013 wrote:
The above article about Lori and James Cooper-Colliander has got nothing to do with news,it is just a cheap piece of PR put in place by Sedbergh. Take a look at the photo,does it look like a couple facing unemployment or an advert for a private school? Come on,wake up people!

mike21up wrote:
Can someone explain why if Casterton is a charity it doesn't appear to have any trustees. Surely the trustees would be above the governors in responsibility and decision making. Or are the governors the trustees? That can't be legal. Thought registered charities had rules and transparency and things to follow.

WorriedEmployee wrote:
I really can't work out whether some of the inaccurate things I've read above in this one are a result of simple ignorance or downright malice.

It's been alleged above that Sedbergh has put the Casterton Headmistress's house on the market, but that simply is not true. The link given earlier by 'interestedparent' suggests that Fisher Wrathall in Lancaster are selling the house, but they're not. Ring and ask Fisher Wrathall yourself if you're unsure: I just have. They're not selling it, and the house is not on the market.

Who created the page the link leads to, and why? I don't know, but my mind boggles at the mentality of the sort of person who would create a false webpage like that. It seems to me to be virtually inevitable that it's been done in the hope of damaging Sedbergh School, regardless of how any such damage might impact upon the pupils and staff.

Secondly, it's been alleged above that staff have been told they're going to be made redundant, and further alleged that they're mainly staff from Casterton School. That is also entirely untrue. What is happening is simply a legal process known as individual consultation. Staff from both sites who may not be needed in September have been 'pooled', and they have been required to apply for their roles within the new organisation. The law lays down timescales for this consultation, and all staff from both schools were told when the merger was first announced what the decision-making timetable would be.

It's easy to see why the merger has led to anger and unhappiness in many of the Casterton parents, but that's no excuse for deliberately posting misinformation and/or recklessly repeating inaccurate gossip. I think those who are doing that should spare a thought for the staff from both sites who are currently in fear for their jobs and livelihoods. Sad as it is for children to have to move to a new school, the bottom line is that they still have many excellent choices available to them, and parents who are committed to providing them with a great education. Those who lose their jobs won't find it so easy to just move on.

Thegreenman2013 wrote:
We,the staff at Casterton have been 'told' not to talk to the press.

interestedparent wrote:
@Rosie/liberty

Again, my friend you are missing the point. We are NOT criticising the Sedbergh teachers, we are not. I'm not, sibbetson isn't - none of us are. You seem to be reading things into what we have written and extrapolating vitriol towards Sedbergh teachers where there is none.

Teachers should put professionalism above all else, we know that. However, first and foremost, teachers are human and it is human nature to cry when the pressure gets too much. Sometimes, we have the luxury of being able to do this in private, sometimes not. Don't criticise the Casterton teachers for not being able to cope with the EXTREME pressure that they are under. Before you say anything, whilst I appreciate that the Sedbergh teachers are also under pressure, they are not having to deal with children who are devastated at having their whole world blown apart (and yes, some of these children have been boarders since they were 6 - Casterton is their home for more than half of each year and so is their world).

I think that only extreme naivety would make one think that the article in the paper was posted purely because the nice couple in the picture are 'fearful for their jobs'. Do you really think that there isn't a Sedbergh PR machine at work behind the scenes? I promise you, there is.

sibbetson wrote:
The house is advertised on the Property Today Website, at £895K, and says it's being sold by Fisher Wrathall in Lancaster.

Seems to be too elaborate to be a hoax to me.

interestedparent wrote:
They must think that we're stupid!

This is now getting really funny. Do they honestly believe that having a house up for sale yesterday and then taking it down 'sneakily' will make us all say "oops, sorry, our mistake - the Headmistress' house is not for sale!"

WorriedEmployee wrote:

interestedparent wrote:
They must think that we're stupid!

This is now getting really funny. Do they honestly believe that having a house up for sale yesterday and then taking it down 'sneakily' will make us all say "oops, sorry, our mistake - the Headmistress' house is not for sale!"

And do you really believe that if it was truly the intention of Sedbergh to sell off the Headmistress's house they'd put it on the market at this time, right in the middle of the redundancy consultation exercise and knowing exactly how much bad publicity such a move would attract?

Please... use a bit of common sense!

Just out of interest, where did you get the link that you posted? It was given above as http://bit.ly/headsh

ouse. A link ending in 'headshouse' sounds rather a strange way for an Estate Agent to describe a property actually known a The Old Vicarage. To me, at least.

WorriedEmployee wrote:

interestedparent wrote:
They must think that we're stupid!

This is now getting really funny. Do they honestly believe that having a house up for sale yesterday and then taking it down 'sneakily' will make us all say "oops, sorry, our mistake - the Headmistress' house is not for sale!"

And do you really believe that if it was truly the intention of Sedbergh to sell off the Headmistress's house they'd put it on the market at this time, right in the middle of the redundancy consultation exercise and knowing exactly how much bad publicity such a move would attract?

Please... use a bit of common sense!

Just out of interest, where did you get the link that you posted? It was given above as http://bit.ly/headsh

ouse. A link ending in 'headshouse' sounds rather a strange way for an Estate Agent to describe a property actually known a The Old Vicarage. To me, at least.

cumbriabornandbred wrote:
P.S. You've got to admire Gigg's marketing people getting their advert put where it is. Has made me chuckle!!

interestedparent wrote:
Hey - guess what? Remember the two Casterton cottages that I mentioned were for sale?

They too have disappeared off the Property Today website!

Fancy that!

RetiredParent wrote:
I have followed all the postings on this subject with great concern. The demise (I use the word advisedly) of a good school is sad and worrying. In this case, it is a tragedy. A small school, yes, in the greater scheme of things but the values it has instilled in its pupils over many decades has spread far and wide into communities and those values are with them for life. Care for others, a good work ethic and doing the best of which one is capable no longer appear to be valued and Casterton School was one place where one was sure that one's child would have every support to achieve all three. As a parent of children who, at some point all attended Casterton School I have nothing but admiration for the ethos of the school, their wonderful teaching and magnificent pastoral care nor do I forget those who fed and watered them! As a family we have had a long association with the school - my late Mother-in-Law was a Governor at one time and I served on the CAP Committee for a number of years. In this competitive and rather harsh world we are so, so sad that this marvellous centre of excellence has no place in a modern world. My eldest daughter had eight wonderfully happy years there and there is no doubt whatsoever that the support and encouragement she received - and the success she has since enjoyed - are mainly down to the dedicated, caring and first-class teaching staff. She is in regular touch with many staff and girls to this day.
The point I am making is that there are "horses for courses" and Casterton was the absolutely right one for my eldest daughter. She thrived there and I am so sorry that other girls will not have the opportunity to enjoy such a happy school life where pastoral care played such a vital part.
I also have experience of Sedbergh as a parent - that is completely different. Had parents wished to send their daughters to a recent co-ed school then that is exactly what they would have done.
The whole thing has been a PR disaster and both sets of Governors have a good deal to answer for. Confidentiality is one thing, secrecy easily becomes somewhat underhand. It would appear that Sedbergh have done rather nicely out of it - albeit with few new pupils from further down the valley but a decent property portfolio to compensate! I have no doubt that Sedebergh will have 'had their eye on' Casterton for some time - serious competition.
I cannot believe that the Head of Sedbergh would be arrogant enough to comment that he didn't want 'that sort of school' where academic results etc. were so good. Surely that is a prime reason for sending one's child there in the first place?
I wish all the girls at Casterton all the very best - take all those things you have been taught with you. The lessons you learned there are good ones and will serve you well throughout your lives. You will make new friends in your new schools but do not forget Casterton - don't think you will. Once a Castertonian, always one! For the shell-shocked staff I offer my compassion at where they find themselves, through no inadequacy on their part. As a family we do not forget the major part you have played in the life of OUR family. We wish you all well and sincerely hope that you are able to salvage something out of this debacle.

Milkbutnosugarplease wrote:
As an impartial observer, I'd just like to say that an alleged benefit of private education is the learning of etiquette, tact and diplomacy. The conduct of this merger or take-over shows none of these qualities and (to be blunt) it looks like an ugly, asset-stripping mess.

I have no children to send to either Casterton or Sedbergh but I am looking for a house in the South Lakes area. I shall certainly avoid Mr Tomlinson's agency, which is marketing a house beside Dunmail Raise above Grasmere and a few ex-farm buildings at Ings.

Shell Shocked wrote:

Casterton 1 wrote:
Interesting some of the comments regarding Mr Fleck from Sibbetson. as the consultation meetings only start tody i think you have your facts wrong ! Sedbergh are in a win/win position but that is because of how Casterton has been run for many years.

Consultation meetings with whom? The parents, the teachers? We're all still waiting.... I know the Head Master is consulting with some of his potential pupils - what sort of exercise will that be? Is he going to be accountable for the conduct of his Governing body? I think he's going to tell what he thinks they want to hear - he's got form don't forget. Win/win for Sedbergh? Because of jobs and assets you mean? Quite possibly - though surely a merger is about retention of present pupils - I don't think think they've won on that one!

Lyndzlight wrote:

Shell Shocked wrote:

Casterton 1 wrote:
Interesting some of the comments regarding Mr Fleck from Sibbetson. as the consultation meetings only start tody i think you have your facts wrong ! Sedbergh are in a win/win position but that is because of how Casterton has been run for many years.

Consultation meetings with whom? The parents, the teachers? We're all still waiting.... I know the Head Master is consulting with some of his potential pupils - what sort of exercise will that be? Is he going to be accountable for the conduct of his Governing body? I think he's going to tell what he thinks they want to hear - he's got form don't forget. Win/win for Sedbergh? Because of jobs and assets you mean? Quite possibly - though surely a merger is about retention of present pupils - I don't think think they've won on that one!

My elder daughter went to the 'consultation meeting' on Friday out of curiosity, she is going elsewhere in September. She felt that they were deliberately being put off going to Sedbergh by Mr. Fleck and that a number of her friends who were going to go to Sedbergh in September now do not want to go.
I'm not sure why anyone would think that two such very different schools, with such different values would 'merge', effectively.
I feel desperately sorry for the outstanding staff who are going to lose their jobs.
Presumably Casterton staff came to Casterton as it reflected their own ethos and values. As with the girls, why would anyone think that the staff would effectively 'merge' with one another at two such very different schools.

Shell Shocked wrote:

Lyndzlight wrote:

Shell Shocked wrote:

Casterton 1 wrote:
Interesting some of the comments regarding Mr Fleck from Sibbetson. as the consultation meetings only start tody i think you have your facts wrong ! Sedbergh are in a win/win position but that is because of how Casterton has been run for many years.

Consultation meetings with whom? The parents, the teachers? We're all still waiting.... I know the Head Master is consulting with some of his potential pupils - what sort of exercise will that be? Is he going to be accountable for the conduct of his Governing body? I think he's going to tell what he thinks they want to hear - he's got form don't forget. Win/win for Sedbergh? Because of jobs and assets you mean? Quite possibly - though surely a merger is about retention of present pupils - I don't think think they've won on that one!

My elder daughter went to the 'consultation meeting' on Friday out of curiosity, she is going elsewhere in September. She felt that they were deliberately being put off going to Sedbergh by Mr. Fleck and that a number of her friends who were going to go to Sedbergh in September now do not want to go.
I'm not sure why anyone would think that two such very different schools, with such different values would 'merge', effectively.
I feel desperately sorry for the outstanding staff who are going to lose their jobs.
Presumably Casterton staff came to Casterton as it reflected their own ethos and values. As with the girls, why would anyone think that the staff would effectively 'merge' with one another at two such very different schools.

"She felt that they were being deliberately being put off" - now why would the Head Master want to do that? I'm wondering if Sedbergh does indeed have an alternative agenda, seemingly their interpretation of a 'merge' and pupil retention differs from the general perspective. The plot thickens ....

castertonian wrote:
As an ex-castertonian I am extremely sad that Casterton is effectively going to be no more. It is a great school with a great staff body behind it.
As much as I wish this "merger" had not been necessary I fear the only alternative would have been closure of the school and then it most probably would have been sold. It has not been a secret that Casterton numbers have been decreasing-when I left about 10 years ago it was thriving and had about 350-400 pupils. The closure of one of the senior house I think Beale) and then Bronte house being boxed up for a while showed the decline. But I do understand that it was shocking for the current girls and parents who loved their school. I also understand that the majority of you are furious with the way that you were informed and would like answers. I personally don't feel that ranting on this website is going to help.-people have been emailed and answers requested and now what you need to do is wait.I have been quite shocked by some of the words used on here-lots of you using your names/surnames as well. I understand you're angry but if my parents were ranting the way that some are I would quite frankly be embarassed.
Lots of you seem to be saying "I have nothing against Sedbergh, I just didn't chose it for my child" but some of the things said on here are disgusting.

"Sedbergh has a bit of a reputation for bredding bully boy rugby players"-if you took time to meet them and chat to them you would see this is completely wrong. I have some very close friends who were rugby boys at Sedbergh and can state that Sedbergh boys in general are some of the most gentlemanly I have met. Yes these stories of horrid messages to the girls are horrendous but I can say that not every girl at Casterton is pleasant! At every school you get the bad ones.
With regards to the selling of the head's house-true or not-I think it makes a lot of sense for Sedbergh to want to sell it-they will barely have got a penny from the merger so if they are not going to need the Head's house then of course they would sell. Remember these schools are businesses as well as a place of education. So as much as it is desperately sad for all casterton girls I don't believe that Sedbergh are " Villains of the piece".
With regards to Andrew Fleck's comments "Casterton staff produce high academic standards and excellent exam results, that is not the school I want"- what I believe he means is that although he thinks academics are vitally important (I have heard Sedbergh is far more academically focused since he started) Sedbergh is a 24/7 school. They need staff who can do more than just teach in the classroom and who are willing to work till 9/10pm and be in school for 8am the next day. To only have teachers who are purely just for the classroom is not economically viable.

The "third rate rugby loving teachers" that are talked of give the pupils who are not totally academic another vision and purpose-they can excel at other things.

"Sedbergh will be known for its involvement with the worst handled merger of all time"-perhaps for the next few months but I'm pretty sure that in 5 years time Sedbergh will still be very successful and will making the most of the wonderful facilities that would otherwise have been closed and sold.

I am truly truly sorry for all the staff/parents and girls affected and I am so sad this is happening but if you don't want to send your child to Sedbergh then don't-what has happened is dreadful but it has happened. Now everyone should look to the future.

IanLewis wrote:

castertonian wrote:
As an ex-castertonian I am extremely sad that Casterton is effectively going to be no more. It is a great school with a great staff body behind it.
As much as I wish this "merger" had not been necessary I fear the only alternative would have been closure of the school and then it most probably would have been sold. It has not been a secret that Casterton numbers have been decreasing-when I left about 10 years ago it was thriving and had about 350-400 pupils. The closure of one of the senior house I think Beale) and then Bronte house being boxed up for a while showed the decline. But I do understand that it was shocking for the current girls and parents who loved their school. I also understand that the majority of you are furious with the way that you were informed and would like answers. I personally don't feel that ranting on this website is going to help.-people have been emailed and answers requested and now what you need to do is wait.I have been quite shocked by some of the words used on here-lots of you using your names/surnames as well. I understand you're angry but if my parents were ranting the way that some are I would quite frankly be embarassed.
Lots of you seem to be saying "I have nothing against Sedbergh, I just didn't chose it for my child" but some of the things said on here are disgusting.

"Sedbergh has a bit of a reputation for bredding bully boy rugby players"-if you took time to meet them and chat to them you would see this is completely wrong. I have some very close friends who were rugby boys at Sedbergh and can state that Sedbergh boys in general are some of the most gentlemanly I have met. Yes these stories of horrid messages to the girls are horrendous but I can say that not every girl at Casterton is pleasant! At every school you get the bad ones.
With regards to the selling of the head's house-true or not-I think it makes a lot of sense for Sedbergh to want to sell it-they will barely have got a penny from the merger so if they are not going to need the Head's house then of course they would sell. Remember these schools are businesses as well as a place of education. So as much as it is desperately sad for all casterton girls I don't believe that Sedbergh are " Villains of the piece".
With regards to Andrew Fleck's comments "Casterton staff produce high academic standards and excellent exam results, that is not the school I want"- what I believe he means is that although he thinks academics are vitally important (I have heard Sedbergh is far more academically focused since he started) Sedbergh is a 24/7 school. They need staff who can do more than just teach in the classroom and who are willing to work till 9/10pm and be in school for 8am the next day. To only have teachers who are purely just for the classroom is not economically viable.

The "third rate rugby loving teachers" that are talked of give the pupils who are not totally academic another vision and purpose-they can excel at other things.

"Sedbergh will be known for its involvement with the worst handled merger of all time"-perhaps for the next few months but I'm pretty sure that in 5 years time Sedbergh will still be very successful and will making the most of the wonderful facilities that would otherwise have been closed and sold.

I am truly truly sorry for all the staff/parents and girls affected and I am so sad this is happening but if you don't want to send your child to Sedbergh then don't-what has happened is dreadful but it has happened. Now everyone should look to the future.

By far the best and most thought through post on here.

castertonian wrote:
As an ex-castertonian I am extremely sad that Casterton is effectively going to be no more. It is a great school with a great staff body behind it. As much as I wish this "merger" had not been necessary I fear the only alternative would have been closure of the school and then it most probably would have been sold. It has not been a secret that Casterton numbers have been decreasing-when I left about 10 years ago it was thriving and had about 350-400 pupils. The closure of one of the senior house I think Beale) and then Bronte house being boxed up for a while showed the decline. But I do understand that it was shocking for the current girls and parents who loved their school. I also understand that the majority of you are furious with the way that you were informed and would like answers. I personally don't feel that ranting on this website is going to help.-people have been emailed and answers requested and now what you need to do is wait.I have been quite shocked by some of the words used on here-lots of you using your names/surnames as well. I understand you're angry but if my parents were ranting the way that some are I would quite frankly be embarassed. Lots of you seem to be saying "I have nothing against Sedbergh, I just didn't chose it for my child" but some of the things said on here are disgusting. "Sedbergh has a bit of a reputation for bredding bully boy rugby players"-if you took time to meet them and chat to them you would see this is completely wrong. I have some very close friends who were rugby boys at Sedbergh and can state that Sedbergh boys in general are some of the most gentlemanly I have met. Yes these stories of horrid messages to the girls are horrendous but I can say that not every girl at Casterton is pleasant! At every school you get the bad ones. With regards to the selling of the head's house-true or not-I think it makes a lot of sense for Sedbergh to want to sell it-they will barely have got a penny from the merger so if they are not going to need the Head's house then of course they would sell. Remember these schools are businesses as well as a place of education. So as much as it is desperately sad for all casterton girls I don't believe that Sedbergh are " Villains of the piece". With regards to Andrew Fleck's comments "Casterton staff produce high academic standards and excellent exam results, that is not the school I want"- what I believe he means is that although he thinks academics are vitally important (I have heard Sedbergh is far more academically focused since he started) Sedbergh is a 24/7 school. They need staff who can do more than just teach in the classroom and who are willing to work till 9/10pm and be in school for 8am the next day. To only have teachers who are purely just for the classroom is not economically viable. The "third rate rugby loving teachers" that are talked of give the pupils who are not totally academic another vision and purpose-they can excel at other things. "Sedbergh will be known for its involvement with the worst handled merger of all time"-perhaps for the next few months but I'm pretty sure that in 5 years time Sedbergh will still be very successful and will making the most of the wonderful facilities that would otherwise have been closed and sold. I am truly truly sorry for all the staff/parents and girls affected and I am so sad this is happening but if you don't want to send your child to Sedbergh then don't-what has happened is dreadful but it has happened. Now everyone should look to the future.

estateagentlookingfo
rbusiness wrote:

castertonian wrote: As an ex-castertonian I am extremely sad that Casterton is effectively going to be no more. It is a great school with a great staff body behind it. As much as I wish this "merger" had not been necessary I fear the only alternative would have been closure of the school and then it most probably would have been sold. It has not been a secret that Casterton numbers have been decreasing-when I left about 10 years ago it was thriving and had about 350-400 pupils. The closure of one of the senior house I think Beale) and then Bronte house being boxed up for a while showed the decline. But I do understand that it was shocking for the current girls and parents who loved their school. I also understand that the majority of you are furious with the way that you were informed and would like answers. I personally don't feel that ranting on this website is going to help.-people have been emailed and answers requested and now what you need to do is wait.I have been quite shocked by some of the words used on here-lots of you using your names/surnames as well. I understand you're angry but if my parents were ranting the way that some are I would quite frankly be embarassed. Lots of you seem to be saying "I have nothing against Sedbergh, I just didn't chose it for my child" but some of the things said on here are disgusting. "Sedbergh has a bit of a reputation for bredding bully boy rugby players"-if you took time to meet them and chat to them you would see this is completely wrong. I have some very close friends who were rugby boys at Sedbergh and can state that Sedbergh boys in general are some of the most gentlemanly I have met. Yes these stories of horrid messages to the girls are horrendous but I can say that not every girl at Casterton is pleasant! At every school you get the bad ones. With regards to the selling of the head's house-true or not-I think it makes a lot of sense for Sedbergh to want to sell it-they will barely have got a penny from the merger so if they are not going to need the Head's house then of course they would sell. Remember these schools are businesses as well as a place of education. So as much as it is desperately sad for all casterton girls I don't believe that Sedbergh are " Villains of the piece". With regards to Andrew Fleck's comments "Casterton staff produce high academic standards and excellent exam results, that is not the school I want"- what I believe he means is that although he thinks academics are vitally important (I have heard Sedbergh is far more academically focused since he started) Sedbergh is a 24/7 school. They need staff who can do more than just teach in the classroom and who are willing to work till 9/10pm and be in school for 8am the next day. To only have teachers who are purely just for the classroom is not economically viable. The "third rate rugby loving teachers" that are talked of give the pupils who are not totally academic another vision and purpose-they can excel at other things. "Sedbergh will be known for its involvement with the worst handled merger of all time"-perhaps for the next few months but I'm pretty sure that in 5 years time Sedbergh will still be very successful and will making the most of the wonderful facilities that would otherwise have been closed and sold. I am truly truly sorry for all the staff/parents and girls affected and I am so sad this is happening but if you don't want to send your child to Sedbergh then don't-what has happened is dreadful but it has happened. Now everyone should look to the future.

Thank you Mrs. Fleck for your comments. But with regards your interpretation of Flecks comments and that he requires staff to work from 8am to 10pm in a 24/7 environment. Many Casterton staff do that, but because of Sedbergh managments tunnel vision and refusal to look for the best staff, Casterton staff's contribution is overlooked. unless after school Casterton stafff have not run a Cadet Force which they do not have, then they are waved goodbye.Sedbergh could have the best academic staff AND the best 24/7 staff but their narrow outlook, and bias selection criterea, means they will be lumped with the same people thay already have except for those who are retiring or are successful in their VR applications. By your interpretation you are suggesting as Fleck does that Casteron staff are 9-5 people. Get your facts right, they are not.

estateagentlookingfo
rbusiness wrote:

castertonian wrote:
As an ex-castertonian I am extremely sad that Casterton is effectively going to be no more. It is a great school with a great staff body behind it. As much as I wish this "merger" had not been necessary I fear the only alternative would have been closure of the school and then it most probably would have been sold. It has not been a secret that Casterton numbers have been decreasing-when I left about 10 years ago it was thriving and had about 350-400 pupils. The closure of one of the senior house I think Beale) and then Bronte house being boxed up for a while showed the decline. But I do understand that it was shocking for the current girls and parents who loved their school. I also understand that the majority of you are furious with the way that you were informed and would like answers. I personally don't feel that ranting on this website is going to help.-people have been emailed and answers requested and now what you need to do is wait.I have been quite shocked by some of the words used on here-lots of you using your names/surnames as well. I understand you're angry but if my parents were ranting the way that some are I would quite frankly be embarassed. Lots of you seem to be saying "I have nothing against Sedbergh, I just didn't chose it for my child" but some of the things said on here are disgusting. "Sedbergh has a bit of a reputation for bredding bully boy rugby players"-if you took time to meet them and chat to them you would see this is completely wrong. I have some very close friends who were rugby boys at Sedbergh and can state that Sedbergh boys in general are some of the most gentlemanly I have met. Yes these stories of horrid messages to the girls are horrendous but I can say that not every girl at Casterton is pleasant! At every school you get the bad ones. With regards to the selling of the head's house-true or not-I think it makes a lot of sense for Sedbergh to want to sell it-they will barely have got a penny from the merger so if they are not going to need the Head's house then of course they would sell. Remember these schools are businesses as well as a place of education. So as much as it is desperately sad for all casterton girls I don't believe that Sedbergh are " Villains of the piece". With regards to Andrew Fleck's comments "Casterton staff produce high academic standards and excellent exam results, that is not the school I want"- what I believe he means is that although he thinks academics are vitally important (I have heard Sedbergh is far more academically focused since he started) Sedbergh is a 24/7 school. They need staff who can do more than just teach in the classroom and who are willing to work till 9/10pm and be in school for 8am the next day. To only have teachers who are purely just for the classroom is not economically viable. The "third rate rugby loving teachers" that are talked of give the pupils who are not totally academic another vision and purpose-they can excel at other things. "Sedbergh will be known for its involvement with the worst handled merger of all time"-perhaps for the next few months but I'm pretty sure that in 5 years time Sedbergh will still be very successful and will making the most of the wonderful facilities that would otherwise have been closed and sold. I am truly truly sorry for all the staff/parents and girls affected and I am so sad this is happening but if you don't want to send your child to Sedbergh then don't-what has happened is dreadful but it has happened. Now everyone should look to the future.

Thank you Mrs. Fleck for your comments. But with regards your interpretation of Flecks comments and that he requires staff to work from 8am to 10pm in a 24/7 environment. Many Casterton staff do that, but because of Sedbergh managments tunnel vision and refusal to look for the best staff, Casterton staff's contribution is overlooked. unless after school Casterton stafff have not run a Cadet Force which they do not have, then they are waved goodbye.Sedbergh could have the best academic staff AND the best 24/7 staff but their narrow outlook, and bias selection criterea, means they will be lumped with the same people thay already have except for those who are retiring or are successful in their VR applications. By your interpretation you are suggesting as Fleck does that Casteron staff are 9-5 people. Get your facts right, they are not.

IanLewis wrote:

castertonian wrote:
As an ex-castertonian I am extremely sad that Casterton is effectively going to be no more. It is a great school with a great staff body behind it.
As much as I wish this "merger" had not been necessary I fear the only alternative would have been closure of the school and then it most probably would have been sold. It has not been a secret that Casterton numbers have been decreasing-when I left about 10 years ago it was thriving and had about 350-400 pupils. The closure of one of the senior house I think Beale) and then Bronte house being boxed up for a while showed the decline. But I do understand that it was shocking for the current girls and parents who loved their school. I also understand that the majority of you are furious with the way that you were informed and would like answers. I personally don't feel that ranting on this website is going to help.-people have been emailed and answers requested and now what you need to do is wait.I have been quite shocked by some of the words used on here-lots of you using your names/surnames as well. I understand you're angry but if my parents were ranting the way that some are I would quite frankly be embarassed.
Lots of you seem to be saying "I have nothing against Sedbergh, I just didn't chose it for my child" but some of the things said on here are disgusting.

"Sedbergh has a bit of a reputation for bredding bully boy rugby players"-if you took time to meet them and chat to them you would see this is completely wrong. I have some very close friends who were rugby boys at Sedbergh and can state that Sedbergh boys in general are some of the most gentlemanly I have met. Yes these stories of horrid messages to the girls are horrendous but I can say that not every girl at Casterton is pleasant! At every school you get the bad ones.
With regards to the selling of the head's house-true or not-I think it makes a lot of sense for Sedbergh to want to sell it-they will barely have got a penny from the merger so if they are not going to need the Head's house then of course they would sell. Remember these schools are businesses as well as a place of education. So as much as it is desperately sad for all casterton girls I don't believe that Sedbergh are " Villains of the piece".
With regards to Andrew Fleck's comments "Casterton staff produce high academic standards and excellent exam results, that is not the school I want"- what I believe he means is that although he thinks academics are vitally important (I have heard Sedbergh is far more academically focused since he started) Sedbergh is a 24/7 school. They need staff who can do more than just teach in the classroom and who are willing to work till 9/10pm and be in school for 8am the next day. To only have teachers who are purely just for the classroom is not economically viable.

The "third rate rugby loving teachers" that are talked of give the pupils who are not totally academic another vision and purpose-they can excel at other things.

"Sedbergh will be known for its involvement with the worst handled merger of all time"-perhaps for the next few months but I'm pretty sure that in 5 years time Sedbergh will still be very successful and will making the most of the wonderful facilities that would otherwise have been closed and sold.

I am truly truly sorry for all the staff/parents and girls affected and I am so sad this is happening but if you don't want to send your child to Sedbergh then don't-what has happened is dreadful but it has happened. Now everyone should look to the future.

By far the best and most thought through post on here.

yorkshiredweller wrote:

IanLewis wrote:

castertonian wrote:
As an ex-castertonian I am extremely sad that Casterton is effectively going to be no more. It is a great school with a great staff body behind it.
As much as I wish this "merger" had not been necessary I fear the only alternative would have been closure of the school and then it most probably would have been sold. It has not been a secret that Casterton numbers have been decreasing-when I left about 10 years ago it was thriving and had about 350-400 pupils. The closure of one of the senior house I think Beale) and then Bronte house being boxed up for a while showed the decline. But I do understand that it was shocking for the current girls and parents who loved their school. I also understand that the majority of you are furious with the way that you were informed and would like answers. I personally don't feel that ranting on this website is going to help.-people have been emailed and answers requested and now what you need to do is wait.I have been quite shocked by some of the words used on here-lots of you using your names/surnames as well. I understand you're angry but if my parents were ranting the way that some are I would quite frankly be embarassed.
Lots of you seem to be saying "I have nothing against Sedbergh, I just didn't chose it for my child" but some of the things said on here are disgusting.

"Sedbergh has a bit of a reputation for bredding bully boy rugby players"-if you took time to meet them and chat to them you would see this is completely wrong. I have some very close friends who were rugby boys at Sedbergh and can state that Sedbergh boys in general are some of the most gentlemanly I have met. Yes these stories of horrid messages to the girls are horrendous but I can say that not every girl at Casterton is pleasant! At every school you get the bad ones.
With regards to the selling of the head's house-true or not-I think it makes a lot of sense for Sedbergh to want to sell it-they will barely have got a penny from the merger so if they are not going to need the Head's house then of course they would sell. Remember these schools are businesses as well as a place of education. So as much as it is desperately sad for all casterton girls I don't believe that Sedbergh are " Villains of the piece".
With regards to Andrew Fleck's comments "Casterton staff produce high academic standards and excellent exam results, that is not the school I want"- what I believe he means is that although he thinks academics are vitally important (I have heard Sedbergh is far more academically focused since he started) Sedbergh is a 24/7 school. They need staff who can do more than just teach in the classroom and who are willing to work till 9/10pm and be in school for 8am the next day. To only have teachers who are purely just for the classroom is not economically viable.

The "third rate rugby loving teachers" that are talked of give the pupils who are not totally academic another vision and purpose-they can excel at other things.

"Sedbergh will be known for its involvement with the worst handled merger of all time"-perhaps for the next few months but I'm pretty sure that in 5 years time Sedbergh will still be very successful and will making the most of the wonderful facilities that would otherwise have been closed and sold.

I am truly truly sorry for all the staff/parents and girls affected and I am so sad this is happening but if you don't want to send your child to Sedbergh then don't-what has happened is dreadful but it has happened. Now everyone should look to the future.

By far the best and most thought through post on here.

Thank you for your sensible comments. I agree that there is a great deal of twaddle posted here..from people who are understandably bitter..and it will only make things worse for the girls...and also for the staff.

mike21up wrote:
Be interesting to see what the final job loss total is given that virtually all Casterton girls are intending to go to other schools, either after Easter or in September. As Mr Fleck himself admitted last week "different families are making different arrangements" ie. any school but Sedbergh. Just goes to show why the governors didn't consult the parents before giving the school assets away. The knew that their "merger" idea would be met with a resounding NO. Such a sad end to a great school.

Local interest wrote:

mike21up wrote:
Be interesting to see what the final job loss total is given that virtually all Casterton girls are intending to go to other schools, either after Easter or in September. As Mr Fleck himself admitted last week "different families are making different arrangements" ie. any school but Sedbergh. Just goes to show why the governors didn't consult the parents before giving the school assets away. The knew that their "merger" idea would be met with a resounding NO. Such a sad end to a great school.

It is understandable that those affected are aggrieved but the following are clear:

Casterton numbers have fallen to unsustainable levels. All girls schools are less popular. The excellent Central and Church High Schools in Newcastle are merging. If they cannot survive in a city it is unlikely to be possible in rural Cumbria

Casterton have failed to attract a market share outside their "day" catchment area of Cumbria for many years. The perception is that the boarding and educational experience has been narrower than that provided locally and further afield. Many parents are also aware of the flaws of simple analysis of league tables.

These problems could not be overcome by marketing alone and even a cursory reading of Castertons accounts on th charity commissions website reveals deep and long standing.

Casterton and Sedbergh traditionally provided education for siblings.The possibility of a merger must therefore have been under consideration for years.

History suggests that the Casterton governors tried all other options and as charitable trustees can be expected to have taken appropriate advice.

The suggestions of asset stripping and vested interests do not bear scrutiny.

Consultation in this situation is unrealistic for legal and practical reasons. The uncertainty some staff face is very unfortunate but is perhaps preferable to all staff losing their jobs.

Sedbergh are good at rugby but also excel in many other areas. Sedbergh girls are no less academically successful than Casterton girls and are at least equally positive about their schooling.

The trend in boarding education is towards strong linked prep schools and strong 6th forms. The merger clearly has this in mind and as Sedbergh celebrates history and tradition the name of Casterton should survive.

xross9 wrote:

yorkshiredweller wrote:

IanLewis wrote:

castertonian wrote:
As an ex-castertonian I am extremely sad that Casterton is effectively going to be no more. It is a great school with a great staff body behind it.
As much as I wish this "merger" had not been necessary I fear the only alternative would have been closure of the school and then it most probably would have been sold. It has not been a secret that Casterton numbers have been decreasing-when I left about 10 years ago it was thriving and had about 350-400 pupils. The closure of one of the senior house I think Beale) and then Bronte house being boxed up for a while showed the decline. But I do understand that it was shocking for the current girls and parents who loved their school. I also understand that the majority of you are furious with the way that you were informed and would like answers. I personally don't feel that ranting on this website is going to help.-people have been emailed and answers requested and now what you need to do is wait.I have been quite shocked by some of the words used on here-lots of you using your names/surnames as well. I understand you're angry but if my parents were ranting the way that some are I would quite frankly be embarassed.
Lots of you seem to be saying "I have nothing against Sedbergh, I just didn't chose it for my child" but some of the things said on here are disgusting.

"Sedbergh has a bit of a reputation for bredding bully boy rugby players"-if you took time to meet them and chat to them you would see this is completely wrong. I have some very close friends who were rugby boys at Sedbergh and can state that Sedbergh boys in general are some of the most gentlemanly I have met. Yes these stories of horrid messages to the girls are horrendous but I can say that not every girl at Casterton is pleasant! At every school you get the bad ones.
With regards to the selling of the head's house-true or not-I think it makes a lot of sense for Sedbergh to want to sell it-they will barely have got a penny from the merger so if they are not going to need the Head's house then of course they would sell. Remember these schools are businesses as well as a place of education. So as much as it is desperately sad for all casterton girls I don't believe that Sedbergh are " Villains of the piece".
With regards to Andrew Fleck's comments "Casterton staff produce high academic standards and excellent exam results, that is not the school I want"- what I believe he means is that although he thinks academics are vitally important (I have heard Sedbergh is far more academically focused since he started) Sedbergh is a 24/7 school. They need staff who can do more than just teach in the classroom and who are willing to work till 9/10pm and be in school for 8am the next day. To only have teachers who are purely just for the classroom is not economically viable.

The "third rate rugby loving teachers" that are talked of give the pupils who are not totally academic another vision and purpose-they can excel at other things.

"Sedbergh will be known for its involvement with the worst handled merger of all time"-perhaps for the next few months but I'm pretty sure that in 5 years time Sedbergh will still be very successful and will making the most of the wonderful facilities that would otherwise have been closed and sold.

I am truly truly sorry for all the staff/parents and girls affected and I am so sad this is happening but if you don't want to send your child to Sedbergh then don't-what has happened is dreadful but it has happened. Now everyone should look to the future.

By far the best and most thought through post on here.

Thank you for your sensible comments. I agree that there is a great deal of twaddle posted here..from people who are understandably bitter..and it will only make things worse for the girls...and also for the staff.

Is that a promise - thanks Andrew

interestedparent wrote:
Rosie/liberty

I too struggle to believe that the governors wouldn't have covered themselves legally - but it would seem (from minds far greater than my own) that they did not. They have breached many things, not least of which is the contract that the parents had with Casterton School - and they have breached it fairly spectacularly too. I'm amazed, particularly as they had a barrister on the board. However, several legal opinions later, and it seems that they did not act legally. It will be interesting to see where this ends up, won't it?

interestedparent wrote:
@local interest. It is interesting to note that if one were to take the last 5 years accounts for Casterton (that are freely available as you suggest) and then assume that the very worst of the last 5 years was to be the case for every year in the future, Casterton School would have only been able to survive for 27 years before it ran out of money. That would have seen every girl in the school through their education and probably a few of their daughters too.

Which suggests that something, somewhere is not quite right with this merger which was, apparently, for financial reasons. Someone, somewhere knows more than they are saying and I know that the Casterton Parents Ltd team haven't given up their legal battle to discover exactly what that is. Tomlinson jumping (or being pushed) does not absolve him of responsibility for a disastrous decision.

carolineholgate wrote:
Casterton should have taken a leaf out of Windermere St Annes' book before rushing into this merger. St Anne's hit similarly troubled waters in 1999 but survived, re-modelled, and is now thriving. As the only academic, boarding, all-girls school in the region, Casterton had a great Unique Selling Point. Amazing they're having to fold! Bad marketing?

zaney5 wrote:

carolineholgate wrote:
Casterton should have taken a leaf out of Windermere St Annes' book before rushing into this merger. St Anne's hit similarly troubled waters in 1999 but survived, re-modelled, and is now thriving. As the only academic, boarding, all-girls school in the region, Casterton had a great Unique Selling Point. Amazing they're having to fold! Bad marketing?

See as my previous comment regarding marketing has been removed I thought I'd expand a little on my thoughts.

Over the past few weeks since this story broke, there have been numerous adverts in the Gazette from private schools - not all from the immediate area - quite obviously taking advantage of the situation we have here. Astute marketing on their behalf I would say and good luck to them.

I've read comments on here from people that say it was obvious that Casterton was in financial dire straits. Now, I'm no marketing expert, but in business you don't hang around waiting for the business to come to you. You go out there and do everything you can.

So I cannot fathom why, if Casterton was in such a position, if they needed to increase numbers, they why oh why didn't the people responsible (the governors) go out there and do what was needed to make sure the school succeeded? We've heard that advertising space was offered but it was turned down because they didn't want to be seen as being desperate. We've heard that parents with marketing expertise offered help which was turned down.

This is what I can't get my head round. Surely you would want the school to succeed. Surely you would want to increase numbers. Surely you would be happy for any kind of help that was offered if you were in such a position.

Bad marketing indeed.

zaney5 wrote:

carolineholgate wrote:
Casterton should have taken a leaf out of Windermere St Annes' book before rushing into this merger. St Anne's hit similarly troubled waters in 1999 but survived, re-modelled, and is now thriving. As the only academic, boarding, all-girls school in the region, Casterton had a great Unique Selling Point. Amazing they're having to fold! Bad marketing?

See as my previous comment regarding marketing has been removed I thought I'd expand a little on my thoughts.

Over the past few weeks since this story broke, there have been numerous adverts in the Gazette from private schools - not all from the immediate area - quite obviously taking advantage of the situation we have here. Astute marketing on their behalf I would say and good luck to them.

I've read comments on here from people that say it was obvious that Casterton was in financial dire straits. Now, I'm no marketing expert, but in business you don't hang around waiting for the business to come to you. You go out there and do everything you can.

So I cannot fathom why, if Casterton was in such a position, if they needed to increase numbers, they why oh why didn't the people responsible (the governors) go out there and do what was needed to make sure the school succeeded? We've heard that advertising space was offered but it was turned down because they didn't want to be seen as being desperate. We've heard that parents with marketing expertise offered help which was turned down.

This is what I can't get my head round. Surely you would want the school to succeed. Surely you would want to increase numbers. Surely you would be happy for any kind of help that was offered if you were in such a position.

Bad marketing indeed.

zaney5 wrote:

carolineholgate wrote:
Casterton should have taken a leaf out of Windermere St Annes' book before rushing into this merger. St Anne's hit similarly troubled waters in 1999 but survived, re-modelled, and is now thriving. As the only academic, boarding, all-girls school in the region, Casterton had a great Unique Selling Point. Amazing they're having to fold! Bad marketing?

See as my previous comment regarding marketing has been removed I thought I'd expand a little on my thoughts.

Over the past few weeks since this story broke, there have been numerous adverts in the Gazette from private schools - not all from the immediate area - quite obviously taking advantage of the situation we have here. Astute marketing on their behalf I would say and good luck to them.

I've read comments on here from people that say it was obvious that Casterton was in financial dire straits. Now, I'm no marketing expert, but in business you don't hang around waiting for the business to come to you. You go out there and do everything you can.

So I cannot fathom why, if Casterton was in such a position, if they needed to increase numbers, they why oh why didn't the people responsible (the governors) go out there and do what was needed to make sure the school succeeded? We've heard that advertising space was offered but it was turned down because they didn't want to be seen as being desperate. We've heard that parents with marketing expertise offered help which was turned down.

This is what I can't get my head round. Surely you would want the school to succeed. Surely you would want to increase numbers. Surely you would be happy for any kind of help that was offered if you were in such a position.

Bad marketing indeed.

sibbetson wrote:
They do have overall accountability, it is called ficiduary duty. That is the point of having a Board of Governors. To say they are not accountable is to say that the Board of Directors of any company is not accountable for the company's failure. They are entirely responsible. The buck stops completely there.

IanLewis wrote:

Sir arthur wrote:
Lets face it, this is all about Sedbergh school everything else is immaterial , just typical of their arrogant nature and disengagement with the community it sits within.

What utter nonsense, considering the majority of Sedbergh School employees come from the town itself your comments are ridiculous. The school engages with the town as much as is possible and as much as the town allows it to

IanLewis wrote:

Sir arthur wrote:
Lets face it, this is all about Sedbergh school everything else is immaterial , just typical of their arrogant nature and disengagement with the community it sits within.

What utter nonsense, considering the majority of Sedbergh School employees come from the town itself your comments are ridiculous. The school engages with the town as much as is possible and as much as the town allows it to

interestedparent wrote:
Well said Logitech.

What I really don't understand is having seen their 'keep our mouths shut, they don't need/deserve information or consultation' policy fail so spectacularly, why are they continuing with it?

sibbetson wrote:
On the contrary, the continuing lack of information is prompting several parents who may have considered staying to decide against it.

I have heard this from several.

So let's say it again, since the powers that be obviously monitor this website and we can communicate with them what we, the stakeholders, want.

We want to see minutes of the meetings where this was decided, we want to see copies of the accounts which indicated that it was the only viable option, and we want to see a copy of the merger agreement itself.

We think we should have been given this information already, and we would like it to be made available without further delay. The deal appears to be done now, so what have you got to lose?

interestedparent wrote:
parent789's items cut and pasted from the Charities Commission website have now been removed! What is going on - that was a factual piece of information.

I then commented that it seemed misleading and THAT comment has been removed too! Why?

parent789 wrote:
Dear All,

Please feel free to read this, this is the link to where I pulled by quotes from...

http://www.charity-c

ommission.gov.uk/SIR

/ENDS80/0001076380_S

IR_20110831_E.PDF

sedberghmummy wrote:
Step back and look objectively at what choices the Castertonians have....they could stay as a cohort of friends and carry on their schooling at Sedbergh with relatively minimal disruption...or they could all disperse and start again at other random schools as massively disrupted individuals. It is an inordinately tough situation for them...but don't make it worse. Ripon Choir School went through a similar closure last summer. They were almost saved by Cundall Manor..but Cundall backed out....just as you are asking Sedbergh to do....resulting in scattered children and devastated families.

P.S. All the merger threads in the gazette contain posts full of emotional vitriol and astonishing false assumptions with no evidence base whatsoever...some are outright slander and are libelous and those people need to beware. Please stick to the facts and keep the emotion out...nobody benefits from such drivel and it merely exacerbates the stress the staff are already under.

interestedparent wrote:
sedberghmummy

There are indeed some vitriolic posts and I join with you in thinking that they are inappropriate. However, there is a BIG difference between the Ripon closure and the Casterton takeover. There is no discernible reason for the Casterton takeover.

I know that there have been posts about financial mismanagement etc, but I assure you that Casterton School could have carried on for in excess of 27 years WITHOUT increasing its student base. If you look at the last few years' accounts you can work out that this is the case. The reason why Casterton parents are so incensed is that there is no reason for Casterton to have been given away - and with such haste!

Why couldn't the merger have been proposed for September 2014 to give the pupils that are currently halfway through their exam programmes a chance of success?

It is the refusal to talk on the part of the governors that has led to this situation and the governors of the 'new entity' are no better. They are offering nothing by way of an explanation. I believe that the days of those belonging to a higher social class than me knowing best are long gone - so how has this happened? How is it possible or even legal for this to have happened?

interestedparent wrote:
sedberghmummy

There are indeed some vitriolic posts and I join with you in thinking that they are inappropriate. However, there is a BIG difference between the Ripon closure and the Casterton takeover. There is no discernible reason for the Casterton takeover.

I know that there have been posts about financial mismanagement etc, but I assure you that Casterton School could have carried on for in excess of 27 years WITHOUT increasing its student base. If you look at the last few years' accounts you can work out that this is the case. The reason why Casterton parents are so incensed is that there is no reason for Casterton to have been given away - and with such haste!

Why couldn't the merger have been proposed for September 2014 to give the pupils that are currently halfway through their exam programmes a chance of success?

It is the refusal to talk on the part of the governors that has led to this situation and the governors of the 'new entity' are no better. They are offering nothing by way of an explanation. I believe that the days of those belonging to a higher social class than me knowing best are long gone - so how has this happened? How is it possible or even legal for this to have happened?

yorkshiredweller wrote:
sedberghmummy tries to reassure people with the advantage of experience and like her I hope others will read and reflect on that post. Evidently sibbetson is intent on chosing any school other than Sedbergh. So sedberghmummy...you did your best and hopefully will have helped some folk to see that Sedbergh is indeed a splendid school .. but one very vocal reader of your posts will not be swayed. Give up on her. Her loss.

zaney5 wrote:

yorkshiredweller wrote:
sedberghmummy tries to reassure people with the advantage of experience and like her I hope others will read and reflect on that post. Evidently sibbetson is intent on chosing any school other than Sedbergh. So sedberghmummy...you did your best and hopefully will have helped some folk to see that Sedbergh is indeed a splendid school .. but one very vocal reader of your posts will not be swayed. Give up on her. Her loss.

sibbetson has made a very clear case for not sending her children to Sedbergh. It is not "her loss" whatsoever. She explored that option and found it to be not suitable for her and her family. If sedberghmummy has had another experience of the school then good for her. But this is not a "one size fits all" situation.
Lets get away from the school bashing. The Casterton parents CHOSE Casterton for a reason. For the same reasons Sedbergh parents chose Sedbergh. And while we're at it, I suspect for the same reasons Windermere School parents chose Windermere School and so on and so on.
Therefore I find your comment incredibly patronising. You do not know sibbertson, you know nothing about her life and what is right for her children. If she says Sedbergh isn't the right school (as I will assume many others won't be either for other reasons) then at least have the common courtesy to respect that.
You and people like sedberghmummy are doing your beloved school no favours by preaching to others.

sedberghmummy wrote:

zaney5 wrote:

yorkshiredweller wrote:
sedberghmummy tries to reassure people with the advantage of experience and like her I hope others will read and reflect on that post. Evidently sibbetson is intent on chosing any school other than Sedbergh. So sedberghmummy...you did your best and hopefully will have helped some folk to see that Sedbergh is indeed a splendid school .. but one very vocal reader of your posts will not be swayed. Give up on her. Her loss.

sibbetson has made a very clear case for not sending her children to Sedbergh. It is not "her loss" whatsoever. She explored that option and found it to be not suitable for her and her family. If sedberghmummy has had another experience of the school then good for her. But this is not a "one size fits all" situation.
Lets get away from the school bashing. The Casterton parents CHOSE Casterton for a reason. For the same reasons Sedbergh parents chose Sedbergh. And while we're at it, I suspect for the same reasons Windermere School parents chose Windermere School and so on and so on.
Therefore I find your comment incredibly patronising. You do not know sibbertson, you know nothing about her life and what is right for her children. If she says Sedbergh isn't the right school (as I will assume many others won't be either for other reasons) then at least have the common courtesy to respect that.
You and people like sedberghmummy are doing your beloved school no favours by preaching to others.

Sorry, I wasn't preaching..or didn't intend to. I merely wished to reassure those who may be in the dark about Sedbergh that it really is a lovely school where children flourish and are happy.

Of course I empathise that people chose Casterton for specific reasons.It's all very sad. You all have my utter sympathy and I do hope the girls will find good schools.

cumbriabornandbred wrote:
Sedberghmummy, don't apologise, it's good that you have good experiences of Sedbergh. People need to hear both sides of the story.

Rosie/liberty, people don't hate Sedbergh's existence. They are unhappy that the school they sent their daughters to isn't going to be there in September.

cumbriabornandbred wrote:
I have read the posts. People are ANGRY. There are good and bad points to Sedbergh, just as there are to any school.

People chose not to send their daughters to Sedbergh, and I rather assume that they (a) feel this has been thrust on them and (b) that they feel that their children and the staff are not being welcomed, which then leads to the feeling that this is a takeover, not a merge.

The school I taught at was meant to merge last year and then closed. Nearly a year on, it still upsets me. I totally understand how they are feeling. I have a great job which I love but I miss my old school almost every day.

Sometimes the world comes crashing in around your ears. I remember being told we were merging, and trying to find out if we'd have jobs. It was a desperate time. Parents kept saying "what about the elephant in the room, if we'd wanted to send our children to x school, we would have done". That is the crux of the problem.

People need to hear both sides of the story. I have brilliant stories and terrible stories about Sedbergh - I have friends and family who loved it, and friends and family who hated it.

The parents and staff at Casterton rightly feel that their school is wonderful, just as the parents and staff at Sedbergh feel the same about their school. At Casterton they are currently grieving (because that's what it is; believe me, I've been there) for their school. They don't want to hear how amazing Sedbergh is and how really they're better off with the merge (that suggests that people think they shouldn't have chosen Casterton in the first place); they want to save the school that they chose and that they love.

When people are upset, the things they say come out in many different tones. You might think I'm shouting as I write this, but actually I'm chattering away gently. It's like emails written in caps lock - people read the written word as they would say it. People are just trying to get across their frustration.

I don't want to argue. I loved Casterton, and I am desperately sad that it will, really, be no more. I worry for the staff that teach there, as I went through the same thing last year and know how soul destroying it is. I want to cry for the girls who have lost their safety net. But I am not an argumentative person and I won't argue, especially not with unknown people; I am not in the habit of causing offence. At least, I hope I'm not.

interestedparent wrote:
Rosie/liberty

WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SEDBERGH SCHOOL OR ITS TEACHERS. Sorry for shouting, but it seems that you can't hear me.

Just because we don't want our children to go there doesn't mean that we think bad thoughts about it, just that it isn't for us. PLEASE stop saying otherwise?

Rosie/liberty wrote:

interestedparent wrote:
Rosie/liberty

WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SEDBERGH SCHOOL OR ITS TEACHERS. Sorry for shouting, but it seems that you can't hear me.

Just because we don't want our children to go there doesn't mean that we think bad thoughts about it, just that it isn't for us. PLEASE stop saying otherwise?

Interestedparentsays Why don't you have a proper look at what zaney5 wrote in answer to sedberghmummy's post.? Was that called for? Sedberghmummy' then offered an apology !! I know you can read and I know you can count. So interestedpersonsays have a look at what the general response is to anyone posting anything that looks remotely in favour of Sedbergh. You are accusing me of only seeing what I want to see, perhaps I should say the same to you. It's all here in black and white!!

cumbriabornandbred wrote:
I have read the posts. People are ANGRY. There are good and bad points to Sedbergh, just as there are to any school.

People chose not to send their daughters to Sedbergh, and I rather assume that they (a) feel this has been thrust on them and (b) that they feel that their children and the staff are not being welcomed, which then leads to the feeling that this is a takeover, not a merge.

The school I taught at was meant to merge last year and then closed. Nearly a year on, it still upsets me. I totally understand how they are feeling. I have a great job which I love but I miss my old school almost every day.

Sometimes the world comes crashing in around your ears. I remember being told we were merging, and trying to find out if we'd have jobs. It was a desperate time. Parents kept saying "what about the elephant in the room, if we'd wanted to send our children to x school, we would have done". That is the crux of the problem.

People need to hear both sides of the story. I have brilliant stories and terrible stories about Sedbergh - I have friends and family who loved it, and friends and family who hated it.

The parents and staff at Casterton rightly feel that their school is wonderful, just as the parents and staff at Sedbergh feel the same about their school. At Casterton they are currently grieving (because that's what it is; believe me, I've been there) for their school. They don't want to hear how amazing Sedbergh is and how really they're better off with the merge (that suggests that people think they shouldn't have chosen Casterton in the first place); they want to save the school that they chose and that they love.

When people are upset, the things they say come out in many different tones. You might think I'm shouting as I write this, but actually I'm chattering away gently. It's like emails written in caps lock - people read the written word as they would say it. People are just trying to get across their frustration.

I don't want to argue. I loved Casterton, and I am desperately sad that it will, really, be no more. I worry for the staff that teach there, as I went through the same thing last year and know how soul destroying it is. I want to cry for the girls who have lost their safety net. But I am not an argumentative person and I won't argue, especially not with unknown people; I am not in the habit of causing offence. At least, I hope I'm not.

ParentFriend wrote:

cumbriabornandbred wrote:
I have read the posts. People are ANGRY. There are good and bad points to Sedbergh, just as there are to any school.

People chose not to send their daughters to Sedbergh, and I rather assume that they (a) feel this has been thrust on them and (b) that they feel that their children and the staff are not being welcomed, which then leads to the feeling that this is a takeover, not a merge.

The school I taught at was meant to merge last year and then closed. Nearly a year on, it still upsets me. I totally understand how they are feeling. I have a great job which I love but I miss my old school almost every day.

Sometimes the world comes crashing in around your ears. I remember being told we were merging, and trying to find out if we'd have jobs. It was a desperate time. Parents kept saying "what about the elephant in the room, if we'd wanted to send our children to x school, we would have done". That is the crux of the problem.

People need to hear both sides of the story. I have brilliant stories and terrible stories about Sedbergh - I have friends and family who loved it, and friends and family who hated it.

The parents and staff at Casterton rightly feel that their school is wonderful, just as the parents and staff at Sedbergh feel the same about their school. At Casterton they are currently grieving (because that's what it is; believe me, I've been there) for their school. They don't want to hear how amazing Sedbergh is and how really they're better off with the merge (that suggests that people think they shouldn't have chosen Casterton in the first place); they want to save the school that they chose and that they love.

When people are upset, the things they say come out in many different tones. You might think I'm shouting as I write this, but actually I'm chattering away gently. It's like emails written in caps lock - people read the written word as they would say it. People are just trying to get across their frustration.

I don't want to argue. I loved Casterton, and I am desperately sad that it will, really, be no more. I worry for the staff that teach there, as I went through the same thing last year and know how soul destroying it is. I want to cry for the girls who have lost their safety net. But I am not an argumentative person and I won't argue, especially not with unknown people; I am not in the habit of causing offence. At least, I hope I'm not.

As you say, people are indeed angry & airing their frustrations; this is a choice. However, as I've previously commented, perhaps some caution & restraint ought to be exercised re. whom exactly such anger & frustration is aimed at.

Amongst the readers here are those, not only at Casterton but Sedbergh too, who had no involvement (let alone influence since) over the merger, or with the ongoing staffing process - this includes both support & teaching staff, parents & pupils (possibly at the younger SJS & Casterton years though, for their sake, I hope this age group will be protected from reading ANY of the threads).

In a desire to get to the truth, share opinions or worries about the merger & it's consequences, some of those commenting continue to use an unpleasant tone, or thoughtlessly or bitterly chosen words (including untruths or misinformation), & seem to think it's acceptable & helpful to publically aim this toward those I refer to above.

One might assume that Sedbergh/SJS parents could aso "feel that this has been thrust on them" & "feel that their children & the staff are not being welcomed".

sibbetson wrote:
How very kind of Sedbergh to inconvenience themselves so much on behalf of our Yr 9 girls. However we have got perfectly good boarding houses of our own at Casterton and intend to carry on using them.

This is not over. There won't be a merger. So stop worrying about us taking up your valuable Sedbergh space which we obviously don't appreciate as it deserves. We are not coming. Casterton is not going anywhere.

Writs in the post.

sibbetson wrote:
Well, everybody, it looks as if we can now say loud and clear that legal action is well under way, and maybe it doesn't matter what we think about Sedbergh school and its staff, we have a weight of legal opinion behind us which thinks the merger can be overturned. Listening carefully, and knowing what I know about the barristers whose opinion is in our favour, I think it is going to be all right in the end. Dear everybody who thinks Sedbergh School would be better without my opinions of it, you don't have to offer us a discount place if we aren't merging. Hurrah, hurrah, writs in the post.

SSStaff wrote:
The merger has already happened. It went through on the 11th of March. The fat lady has finished and gone home.

zaney5 wrote:

SSStaff wrote: The merger has already happened. It went through on the 11th of March. The fat lady has finished and gone home.

Ah... but she didn't get started on her encore.

Cas Res wrote:

zaney5 wrote:

SSStaff wrote: The merger has already happened. It went through on the 11th of March. The fat lady has finished and gone home.

Ah... but she didn't get started on her encore.

The merger completed on the 11th March and all assets transferred to Sedbergh. How can you take legal action to stop it? Who is the action against? Where is it to be heard? On what grounds? Should you not be advising all Casterton parents of your actions as this secrecy is no different to the previous governors who have been berated on this and other comments pages? In the interests of transparency for all Casterton parents who is bankrolling this action, is it the same individual who paid to allow the last challenge? If so have you considered what the motive is? Why pay for a group of parents to stop a merger at a school over 90 miles away……….is the slide rule being run over the site to look at its value and what can be done with it?
In respect of selling the site or any part for housing or re developing, this will be nigh on impossible. The village will be included in the extension to the Yorkshire Dales National Park which is currently at a public hearing and the numbers any developer would be looking at to recover costs would be prohibited.
The school is now on Easter break and supposing the merger is stopped, which is very unlikely as it has happened. The Casterton Head yesterday stated a lot of the girls are leaving for new schools now and at the end of summer term, if as is said only a few are going up to Sedbergh the remainder have made plans to go to new schools, already enrolled, paid registration fees and made plans they will not come back, whoever is mounting this challenge would be left with a school which has hardly any pupils, staff who will have already left, a reputation now as a failed/failing school with no incentive for anyone to send their children as the future is uncertain, banks looking to recover their loans/overdrafts. No opportunity to sell any elements for development to cover any costs.
On another note the position of deputy head at the senior school has gone to one of Casterton’s current number. The housemistress and others have been appointed and further announcements are expected shortly. The combination of the two establishments is proceeding at a satisfactory pace. The school has reported to the village that the roll for 2013 will be approximately 175 with plans to expand to 250; the school will play an active role in the village community using the church for Sunday services, music and choral events. These numbers are greater than the current cohort of girls on the site and makes for an exciting future for both the school and the village, parents and residents are looking forward to September.

Cas Res wrote:

zaney5 wrote:

SSStaff wrote: The merger has already happened. It went through on the 11th of March. The fat lady has finished and gone home.

Ah... but she didn't get started on her encore.

The merger completed on the 11th March and all assets transferred to Sedbergh. How can you take legal action to stop it? Who is the action against? Where is it to be heard? On what grounds? Should you not be advising all Casterton parents of your actions as this secrecy is no different to the previous governors who have been berated on this and other comments pages? In the interests of transparency for all Casterton parents who is bankrolling this action, is it the same individual who paid to allow the last challenge? If so have you considered what the motive is? Why pay for a group of parents to stop a merger at a school over 90 miles away……….is the slide rule being run over the site to look at its value and what can be done with it?
In respect of selling the site or any part for housing or re developing, this will be nigh on impossible. The village will be included in the extension to the Yorkshire Dales National Park which is currently at a public hearing and the numbers any developer would be looking at to recover costs would be prohibited.
The school is now on Easter break and supposing the merger is stopped, which is very unlikely as it has happened. The Casterton Head yesterday stated a lot of the girls are leaving for new schools now and at the end of summer term, if as is said only a few are going up to Sedbergh the remainder have made plans to go to new schools, already enrolled, paid registration fees and made plans they will not come back, whoever is mounting this challenge would be left with a school which has hardly any pupils, staff who will have already left, a reputation now as a failed/failing school with no incentive for anyone to send their children as the future is uncertain, banks looking to recover their loans/overdrafts. No opportunity to sell any elements for development to cover any costs.
On another note the position of deputy head at the senior school has gone to one of Casterton’s current number. The housemistress and others have been appointed and further announcements are expected shortly. The combination of the two establishments is proceeding at a satisfactory pace. The school has reported to the village that the roll for 2013 will be approximately 175 with plans to expand to 250; the school will play an active role in the village community using the church for Sunday services, music and choral events. These numbers are greater than the current cohort of girls on the site and makes for an exciting future for both the school and the village, parents and residents are looking forward to September.

sibbetson wrote:
Sorry...am I wrong? I thought everybody thought it was awful that the two schools had to merge but it was a tragic inevitability. Now it seems certain that it is not at all, why are people arguing that it ought to go ahead?

Surely nobody stands to gain from a merger. Sedbergh people have been saying how noble they are being and how fortunate we all are.

Hurrah for Casterton Parents' wonderful, marvellous, committed legal team, I take my hat off to you.

PeterRogerson wrote:

sibbetson wrote:
Sorry...am I wrong? I thought everybody thought it was awful that the two schools had to merge but it was a tragic inevitability. Now it seems certain that it is not at all, why are people arguing that it ought to go ahead?

Surely nobody stands to gain from a merger. Sedbergh people have been saying how noble they are being and how fortunate we all are.

Hurrah for Casterton Parents' wonderful, marvellous, committed legal team, I take my hat off to you.

Luckily not everyone thinks like you sibbetson.

Cumbrian77 wrote:
PeterRogerson you epitomise everything that Casterton parents who had been considering Sedbergh find unpleasant, perhaps you should read the two prayers above and reflect,,,because people like you are motivating people to look elsewhere and the more you and Seberghmummy jibe the more that people will ask questions about Sedbergh that perhaps you would prefer we're not asked. You fail to acknowledge or appreciate from where these Casterton parents are starting their journeys from. Like Sedbergh parents they want the same thing, the best education that they feel is available for their children.
Just remember the Casterton parents do not fear the truth,,,do you?

PeterRogerson wrote:

sibbetson wrote:
Sorry...am I wrong? I thought everybody thought it was awful that the two schools had to merge but it was a tragic inevitability. Now it seems certain that it is not at all, why are people arguing that it ought to go ahead?

Surely nobody stands to gain from a merger. Sedbergh people have been saying how noble they are being and how fortunate we all are.

Hurrah for Casterton Parents' wonderful, marvellous, committed legal team, I take my hat off to you.

Luckily not everyone thinks like you sibbetson.

Rosie/liberty wrote:
Well said sedberghmummy. I have checked back through this thread and cannot find one other post from peterrogerson yet Cumbrian77 seems to think his one sentence epitomises the very reason Casterton don't want to join Sedbergh ! AND has the audacity to tell him to read the words of religious prayer Wow own goal Cumrian77

Rosie/liberty wrote:
He certainly hasn't spoken in the last couple of weeks . And Sedberghmummy didn't jibe. You should know that it's not necessary to be the prodigy of clergy to hold the values of the Christian faith. ( . Although I'm finding the one about loving thy neighbour a bit hard at the moment ) This is the perfect time of year to reflect.

Rosie/liberty wrote:
He certainly hasn't spoken in the last couple of weeks . And Sedberghmummy didn't jibe. You should know that it's not necessary to be the prodigy of clergy to hold the values of the Christian faith. ( . Although I'm finding the one about loving thy neighbour a bit hard at the moment ) This is the perfect time of year to reflect.

The local wrote:
Sadly, Casterton School has been haemorrhaging pupils for a number of years. Parents have been searching for alternatives e.g. Shrewsbury, Sedbergh. Better a merger and some jobs being saved that a complete closure.

The local wrote:
Sadly, Casterton School has been haemorrhaging pupils for a number of years. Parents have been searching for alternatives e.g. Shrewsbury, Sedbergh. Better a merger and some jobs being saved that a complete closure.

The local wrote:
Sadly, Casterton School has been haemorrhaging pupils for a number of years. Parents have been searching for alternatives e.g. Shrewsbury, Sedbergh. Better a merger and some jobs being saved that a complete closure.

cumbriabornandbred wrote:

The local wrote:
Sadly, Casterton School has been haemorrhaging pupils for a number of years. Parents have been searching for alternatives e.g. Shrewsbury, Sedbergh. Better a merger and some jobs being saved that a complete closure.

Actually, having been there I can tell you that a complete closure is almost easier as a member of staff than watching some of your colleagues be employed and some not. That is hideous.

Rosie/liberty wrote:

cumbriabornandbred wrote:

The local wrote:
Sadly, Casterton School has been haemorrhaging pupils for a number of years. Parents have been searching for alternatives e.g. Shrewsbury, Sedbergh. Better a merger and some jobs being saved that a complete closure.

Actually, having been there I can tell you that a complete closure is almost easier as a member of staff than watching some of your colleagues be employed and some not. That is hideous.

Sorry if I came across as nasty. I guess it's difficult to read true tone of a post. I'm glad you felt you could ""out your true identity" It isn't possible for me to do that yet. Except to say I am very very close to a member of staff from Sedbergh school , watching what this person is going through IS hideous ! I agree with you from a employees slant it would be easier if everybody was made redundant at the same time. I only posted on this forum to point out that this is a vile situation for all concerned.

cumbriabornandbred wrote:

Rosie/liberty wrote:

cumbriabornandbred wrote:

The local wrote:
Sadly, Casterton School has been haemorrhaging pupils for a number of years. Parents have been searching for alternatives e.g. Shrewsbury, Sedbergh. Better a merger and some jobs being saved that a complete closure.

Actually, having been there I can tell you that a complete closure is almost easier as a member of staff than watching some of your colleagues be employed and some not. That is hideous.

Sorry if I came across as nasty. I guess it's difficult to read true tone of a post. I'm glad you felt you could ""out your true identity" It isn't possible for me to do that yet. Except to say I am very very close to a member of staff from Sedbergh school , watching what this person is going through IS hideous ! I agree with you from a employees slant it would be easier if everybody was made redundant at the same time. I only posted on this forum to point out that this is a vile situation for all concerned.

Rosie/Liberty - please believe me when I say (as I have done lots on here) that I DO feel for the Sedbergh staff and that I am not knocking Sedbergh at all; as I have said I have loads of friends and family who went there and I think the school does a really good job. For me, the upset I feel is at seeing the demise of the school that was my home. I'm really not a nasty person and reading this brings back just how awful last year was for my friends at work and I.
I don't mean to come across as argumentative.
The reason for saying who I was was that over the course of the weekend plenty of people greeted me with "hello Cumbriabornandbred"! Might as well be open about it, I decided.
The problem with merges is that they take a long time to get right and they need to be managed with care and consideration for ALL concerned. This is where good governance is so essential. I hope and pray that everyone will be able to find some peace when this is all over; I know it has taken me quite some time.
My thoughts are with everyone involved.

Rosie/liberty wrote:

cumbriabornandbred wrote:

Rosie/liberty wrote:

cumbriabornandbred wrote:

The local wrote:
Sadly, Casterton School has been haemorrhaging pupils for a number of years. Parents have been searching for alternatives e.g. Shrewsbury, Sedbergh. Better a merger and some jobs being saved that a complete closure.

Actually, having been there I can tell you that a complete closure is almost easier as a member of staff than watching some of your colleagues be employed and some not. That is hideous.

Sorry if I came across as nasty. I guess it's difficult to read true tone of a post. I'm glad you felt you could ""out your true identity" It isn't possible for me to do that yet. Except to say I am very very close to a member of staff from Sedbergh school , watching what this person is going through IS hideous ! I agree with you from a employees slant it would be easier if everybody was made redundant at the same time. I only posted on this forum to point out that this is a vile situation for all concerned.

Rosie/Liberty - please believe me when I say (as I have done lots on here) that I DO feel for the Sedbergh staff and that I am not knocking Sedbergh at all; as I have said I have loads of friends and family who went there and I think the school does a really good job. For me, the upset I feel is at seeing the demise of the school that was my home. I'm really not a nasty person and reading this brings back just how awful last year was for my friends at work and I.
I don't mean to come across as argumentative.
The reason for saying who I was was that over the course of the weekend plenty of people greeted me with "hello Cumbriabornandbred"! Might as well be open about it, I decided.
The problem with merges is that they take a long time to get right and they need to be managed with care and consideration for ALL concerned. This is where good governance is so essential. I hope and pray that everyone will be able to find some peace when this is all over; I know it has taken me quite some time.
My thoughts are with everyone involved.

Casterton parents see this merger from the perspective of their children's future being blighted , add to that they see wonderful staff fighting for their jobs , furthermore they see that fight as being weighted in favour of Sedbergh staff . It's easy to see why they would think that. For the last time , I say again I only wanted to point out that Sedbergh staff are not sitting pretty safe in the knowledge that they will have jobs come September . It is not possible to post here what I think of the people who believe that this is for the greater good and that the people who are affected. are merely collateral damage! My anger at the way this has been handled is through the roof. A plague on all their houses! Ps for the sake of my sanity I will make this my last post. Good luck in your quest Casterton parents. Good luck to ALL pupils and staff. pps you sound like a lovely person and although this has stirred up memories of a hideous time in your life , I hope you are happy now,

Cas Res wrote:

zaney5 wrote:

SSStaff wrote: The merger has already happened. It went through on the 11th of March. The fat lady has finished and gone home.

Ah... but she didn't get started on her encore.

The merger completed on the 11th March and all assets transferred to Sedbergh. How can you take legal action to stop it? Who is the action against? Where is it to be heard? On what grounds? Should you not be advising all Casterton parents of your actions as this secrecy is no different to the previous governors who have been berated on this and other comments pages? In the interests of transparency for all Casterton parents who is bankrolling this action, is it the same individual who paid to allow the last challenge? If so have you considered what the motive is? Why pay for a group of parents to stop a merger at a school over 90 miles away……….is the slide rule being run over the site to look at its value and what can be done with it?
In respect of selling the site or any part for housing or re developing, this will be nigh on impossible. The village will be included in the extension to the Yorkshire Dales National Park which is currently at a public hearing and the numbers any developer would be looking at to recover costs would be prohibited.
The school is now on Easter break and supposing the merger is stopped, which is very unlikely as it has happened. The Casterton Head yesterday stated a lot of the girls are leaving for new schools now and at the end of summer term, if as is said only a few are going up to Sedbergh the remainder have made plans to go to new schools, already enrolled, paid registration fees and made plans they will not come back, whoever is mounting this challenge would be left with a school which has hardly any pupils, staff who will have already left, a reputation now as a failed/failing school with no incentive for anyone to send their children as the future is uncertain, banks looking to recover their loans/overdrafts. No opportunity to sell any elements for development to cover any costs.
On another note the position of deputy head at the senior school has gone to one of Casterton’s current number. The housemistress and others have been appointed and further announcements are expected shortly. The combination of the two establishments is proceeding at a satisfactory pace. The school has reported to the village that the roll for 2013 will be approximately 175 with plans to expand to 250; the school will play an active role in the village community using the church for Sunday services, music and choral events. These numbers are greater than the current cohort of girls on the site and makes for an exciting future for both the school and the village, parents and residents are looking forward to September.

The local wrote:
Sadly, Casterton School has been haemorrhaging pupils for a number of years. Parents have been searching for alternatives e.g. Shrewsbury, Sedbergh. Better a merger and some jobs being saved that a complete closure.

The local wrote:
Sadly, Casterton School has been haemorrhaging pupils for a number of years. Parents have been searching for alternatives e.g. Shrewsbury, Sedbergh. Better a merger and some jobs being saved that a complete closure.

The local wrote:
Two years ago my granddaughter was removed from Casterton after her parents were so fed up with the mismanagement of Casterton by the Governors. They sent numerous letters to them and usually received short non committal replies that highlighted there poor management. They mentioned there disgust to other parents who nodded but couldn't be bothered to do much even though they agreed. My daughter has very little sympathy for Casterton parents as they were sleep walking to disaster in her opinion. She has huge sympathy for the girls and hope they all do well in the new schools that they will all attend. Incidently, granddaughter is now at Sedbergh and thriving academically and enjoying all the sport.

The local wrote:
Two years ago my granddaughter was removed from Casterton after her parents were so fed up with the mismanagement of Casterton by the Governors. They sent numerous letters to them and usually received short non committal replies that highlighted there poor management. They mentioned there disgust to other parents who nodded but couldn't be bothered to do much even though they agreed. My daughter has very little sympathy for Casterton parents as they were sleep walking to disaster in her opinion. She has huge sympathy for the girls and hope they all do well in the new schools that they will all attend. Incidently, granddaughter is now at Sedbergh and thriving academically and enjoying all the sport.

SSStaff wrote:
Lets stick to the facts then. Casterton schools recent academic results have been better than that of Sedbergh schools. However it is my understanding that Sedbergh girls have slightly better results than those of Casterton. According to some posts on here the whole thing will be reversed anyway so why all the worry?

sedberghmummy wrote:
Please stop the embarrassing bickering. The issue is NOT about which girls achieve the highest academic grades. It's about what the alternatives are for the pupils and staff when their wonderful school ends in a most traumatic way....and it's about supporting all the pupils who "merge" and all the staff who suffer through job losses. It's also about supporting those who make other plans. Let's not be bad-mouthing either of these great English schools please. We all, I hope, understand that neither school is "better" than the other...in the eyes of the beholders the schools are both outstanding...and perfect for their children. We all sympathise with those who feel that Sedbergh will not suit their daughters...and we all wish it wasn't happening....for Casterton's sake.

binder45 wrote:
I suspect that the financial situation was becoming difficult very quickly. Some banks are aggressively trying to reduce their overdraft risk. Even with an acceptable balance sheet banks are calling overdrafts in. If a merger (or takeover if you prefer) was to take place and the bank was driving the issue then Easter would be a deadline so that the merger could take place for September. All independent schools are under some financial constraints and do not always have the luxury of goodwill over financial necessity
Penrhos & Rydal had always had a close relationship and were not competing. Although relations between Casterton & Sedbergh have always been good they have been competing since Sedbergh took the girls.
Ideally this should have happened 4 years ago at a gentler pace but sometimes events overtake.
Just to make my position clear I feel for the parents, girls and staff(both schools) who have to go through this painful change. However I also feel that a combined school will in the end be a formidable school and can retain the heritage of Casterton..

sedberghmummy wrote:
Please stop the embarrassing bickering. The issue is NOT about which girls achieve the highest academic grades.

It's about what the alternatives are for the pupils and staff when their wonderful school ends in a most traumatic way....and it's about supporting all the pupils who "merge" and all the staff who suffer through job losses. It's also about supporting those who make other plans.

Let's not be bad-mouthing either of these great English schools please.

We all, I hope, understand that neither school is "better" than the other...in the eyes of the beholders the schools are both outstanding...and perfect for their children.

We all sympathise with those who feel that Sedbergh will not suit their daughters...and we all wish it wasn't happening....for Casterton's sake.

cumbriabornandbred wrote:

sedberghmummy wrote:
Please stop the embarrassing bickering. The issue is NOT about which girls achieve the highest academic grades.

It's about what the alternatives are for the pupils and staff when their wonderful school ends in a most traumatic way....and it's about supporting all the pupils who "merge" and all the staff who suffer through job losses. It's also about supporting those who make other plans.

Let's not be bad-mouthing either of these great English schools please.

We all, I hope, understand that neither school is "better" than the other...in the eyes of the beholders the schools are both outstanding...and perfect for their children.

We all sympathise with those who feel that Sedbergh will not suit their daughters...and we all wish it wasn't happening....for Casterton's sake.

Well said sedberghmummy.

binder45 wrote:
I suspect that the financial situation was becoming difficult very quickly. Some banks are aggressively trying to reduce their overdraft risk. Even with an acceptable balance sheet banks are calling overdrafts in. If a merger (or takeover if you prefer) was to take place and the bank was driving the issue then Easter would be a deadline so that the merger could take place for September. All independent schools are under some financial constraints and do not always have the luxury of goodwill over financial necessity
Penrhos & Rydal had always had a close relationship and were not competing. Although relations between Casterton & Sedbergh have always been good they have been competing since Sedbergh took the girls.
Ideally this should have happened 4 years ago at a gentler pace but sometimes events overtake.
Just to make my position clear I feel for the parents, girls and staff(both schools) who have to go through this painful change. However I also feel that a combined school will in the end be a formidable school and can retain the heritage of Casterton..

BTTF33 wrote:
Peter Rogerson aren't you a Sedbergh School governor?

in loco parentis wrote:

binder45 wrote:
I suspect that the financial situation was becoming difficult very quickly. Some banks are aggressively trying to reduce their overdraft risk. Even with an acceptable balance sheet banks are calling overdrafts in. If a merger (or takeover if you prefer) was to take place and the bank was driving the issue then Easter would be a deadline so that the merger could take place for September. All independent schools are under some financial constraints and do not always have the luxury of goodwill over financial necessity
Penrhos & Rydal had always had a close relationship and were not competing. Although relations between Casterton & Sedbergh have always been good they have been competing since Sedbergh took the girls.
Ideally this should have happened 4 years ago at a gentler pace but sometimes events overtake.
Just to make my position clear I feel for the parents, girls and staff(both schools) who have to go through this painful change. However I also feel that a combined school will in the end be a formidable school and can retain the heritage of Casterton..

Hm. 'All independent schools are under some financial constraints and do not always have the luxury of goodwill over financial necessity'

I guess we have a differing views of 'goodwill' and its place in running a business. I believe that 'goodwill' is not a luxury.....it is a long term investment

Casterton was much in credit with goodwill which had been built up over decades. Any sniff of this merger and parents, old girls, past staff, many with great experience and expertise in very helpful fields would have made offers of help, free, to save the school and the embarrassment of the Governors of having to go 'cap in hand' to Sedbergh to bale them out. In fact some people had already offered but were turned down. A fatal mistake in my view.

Perhaps I could furnish you with this example of what I mean:

I went into Booths recently to make a complaint about a purchase which I did not consider to be up to their usual standard. This was met with a friendly smile, an apology, and an offer of either a replacement or a voucher. I did not even have the receipt with me.

Some time ago I went into Morrisons to buy some flowers one Saturday . One bunch for £2. I went to the '10 items'/ basket checkout...there were queues of families buying BBQ items galore. Trolleys filled to the brim.

I went, calmly, to the customer relations desk and tried to pay with a £2 coin. They would not take it. I asked to see the manager and when he came he argued with me. I asked, politely, for a comments form...I was told to fill it in there and then, in the store, to hand it to him, and was told that they would not accept it through the post to head office. I was told I could not take the comments form out of the shop. The manager said he was sorry I was dissatisfied with the service I had received, and I left him holding the flowers, and smiling I said ' My dear young man...I am neither satisfied , nor dissatisfied with the service....for I have received no service whatsoever.' I have not been into Morrison's since. And now, a couple of years later, this story is out on a Westmorland Gazette forum.

Goodwill is certainly both long term, and short term investments particularly in these days of austerity.
Its importance is more crucial than ever.

The way in which this merger has been carried out has done neither school credit. ( in my view)