SL AM

Ed Balls
Secretary of State
Department for Children, Schools and Families
Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
St Luke’s Against Merger
15th October 2008
Dear Mr Balls
593 REASONS NOT TO MERGE ST LUKE’S...
That’s the forecast for the number of children who may not have an exciting and fulfilling time if the
proposed merger of our schools goes ahead. St Luke's Infants and St Luke's Juniors schools in Brighton are
exceptional schools with great kids and great teachers. The Infants received an OUTSTANDING OFSTED
report, the Juniors a GOOD. Closing St Luke's Infants and merging it with ST Luke's Juniors puts all this at
RISK FOR NO GOOD REASON. One size does not fit all. We should be celebrating good practice not
throwing it away. I am asking you to help us fight this ill considered proposal. The councils own deputy head of
the council and the cabinet member with reponsibility for the St Luke’s decision, Vanessa Brown praised the
parents, staff and governors of another local school Balfour who successfully fought off a merger in 2002.
There
. are no good educational reasons to merge St Luke’s
Overleaf we have listed the concerns of the parents at St Luke’s both the Infants and the Juniors. Please take
the time to read them. At the very least the council needs to address these concerns before they rush through a
merger not after. We are all proud of St Luke’s let all that has been achieved go to waste.Your the boss, why
not give Vanessa Brown Brighton Council a quick call now on 01273 291143 or e-mail
vanessa.brown@brighton-hove.gov.uk and ask her why the council wants to ruin 593 kids educations?

Ed Balls Says OFSTED Says...

• Teaching and learning are outstanding… By

Childhood should be the

the end of Year 2 in 2006, achievement was
outstanding and standards were nearly all sig-

most exciting and fulfilling

nificantly above the national average, with dif-
ferent groups of pupils achieving equally well

period in a person's life – a

Standards in 2007 are now exceptionally high.
Here, 50% of the pupils reached the higher
time to feel safe, loved and levels in reading, and 44% the higher levels in
numeracy.
encouraged to believe
anything is possible.
• Pupils leave the school with exceedingly
good skills in numeracy, literacy and informa-
tion and communication technology, balanced
with excellent personal skills. They are well
prepared for the next stage in their
education and later life.
ST LUKES OFSTED REPORT ~JUNE 2007
Unique Reference Number 114375
www.ofsted.gov.uk

Yours sincerely Name.........................................................................................................................................

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❑ Parent/Carer St Lukes Infants ❑ Parent/Carer St Lukes Juniors ❑ Both ❑ Other.........................................