Comments on: Cllrs David Pugh & Alan Wells on the Phone-In Again Today

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:35:13 +0000

Johnathan (7) - don’t know about anyone else, but it’s been an evening of sticking & pasting, ready for tomorrow’s march. That, I suspect, is why it’s a tad quiet!

I’d welcome Option 4 - a swift referendum that gives people a choice between 2- and 3-tier, without all the daft gubbins that has been lumped into the existing 3 options. The extent of primary closures is obviously a huge concern, but also the size of the proposed secondary schools, which will be vast under options 1, 2 and 3. And I can’t support the way the existing options send every school, no matter how good, back to square one. What happened to building on success?

By: Lee

Lee — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:33:48 +0000

Oh, for goodness sake Johnathan. Most of us agree with some change. It is always important to look at how we can improve things, but shutting half or more of our high achieving primary schools is scandalous.
This is the issue the majoirty of campaigners are furious about.
Two tier or three tier, save our schools.

By: Lewis

Lewis — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:17:11 +0000

Johnathan,

I only speak for myself, but I am not a Luddite nor am I scared of change. Hence, this is why having the option of ‘no change’ does still not really express the true opinion of some people.

I personally do think change is required in order to increase the results, however, I still have not seen enough evidence to justify how results will be improved by closing the original proposed number of primary schools.

Surely if there is evidence to support these changes, then as the three options are really quite different from each other, than it is difficult to understand how all three options can be evidence based.

I am sure they are all proven to be financially viable in order to initiate the consultation process, however, are they all equal in the amount evidence that has been produced to ensure that standards will definitely improve?

By: Johnathan

Johnathan — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:52:56 +0000

i also that all the campaigners have been very quiet since the county press showed its online poll had only seven votes more for no change than option three. if add together the other two tier one, more people want a two tier than no change. Amazing.

By: The table has just lost another leg!

The table has just lost another leg! — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:40:43 +0000

Hi Wendy,

Please see the governors meeting report paragraph 4.

http://www.island-governors.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/news-21st-february-20082.pdf

I also read in the CP today that apparently the Matrix had errors and has been changed.

Do we all really understand what ‘facts’ these decisions are being made on?

By: Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:29:34 +0000

You know David Pugh and the “loss of funding” argument? According to Alan Wells & Steve Beynon on the phone-in today, that was just “one leg” of the table in Pugh’s argument for change, and apparently, ’some people’ have chosen to make an issue of that one leg. (I’m assuming we’re talking a 4-legged table, though they only listed 3.)

Simon, the caller, said that the person making the issue out of it at the public consultation meeting in Ventnor had been David Pugh himself. So what do you reckon? Well, those lovely people at Ventnor Blog had (with the council’s permission) published sound files of the Ventnor presentation on Ventnor Blog soon after the event. You can find David Pugh’s presentation here (scroll down the page for the 5 minute audio). Have a listen, then come back here and say how many legs you think David Pugh’s table has:
http://ventnorblog.com/schools-consultation-at-ventnor-middle-david-pugh-podcast/

By: Mrs X

Mrs X — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:09:21 +0000

I try not to listen to phone ins when David Holmesis involved as he just talks over people and turns down some peoples volume maybe its time Alec turned down Mr Holmes volume or better still get rid.

Was there any serious discussion today?

By: Ashes to Ashes

Ashes to Ashes — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:48:45 +0000

Once again Gene “Dyke” Hunt was his usual self………………..such a top notch host, so unbaised, perhaps he should apply for the “Question Time” presenter’s post, then the whole Country could listen to his excellent form of presentations skills………….did I hear correctly or did he call one of the callers a small garden bird…….a Tit, I think……………so grown up and mature!!!……………….Oh! Alex….will you ever return to 2008 instead of being stuck in the past!

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:34:57 +0000

Even though Pugh was trailed as being on th show just before the midday news - he didn’t appear on the phone in. Apparently he was off round the Island doing other things today and was replaced by Beynon.

By: Jim Khanna

Jim Khanna — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:31:37 +0000

When I was at Primary school (Yes it was a long long time ago)
You would see the other kids turning up holding their mothers-hands.

I notice -
No opportunity is lost to make fun of ‘Pugh the Youngers,’ tender age-
I just wonder if it helps his ‘Image’ to have Mr. David Holmes wheeled-in
on all his radio appearances-
to hold his hand . .?