Gloom lifts at schools

    THERE is a new air of optimism at the Dover grammar schools this term.
    Despite forecasts that the number of pupils would drop, and that in order to survive the schools would have to merge, the reverse has been true.
    The boys' school has topped the 500 mark and the girls' school has close to 600.

    The news comes at a time when the Education Secretary has called for talks with local education chiefs about the plan to merge the two schools.
    The proposal has been in the in-tray, which John Patten inherited, for nearly a year and while the schools have been concerned about the long delay in the decision being issued, it may have worked to their advantage.
    If this new encouraging trend can be continued, perhaps the whole situation needs to be reviewed again.
    Would the schools be able to continue independently, but still maintaining the joint working that now takes place in the sixth form?
    The problem over A level group sizes last year has apparently been overcome this term and the co-operation has developed to such an extent that it is understood at least one girl is almost a permanent pupil at the boys' school!
    Compared with the feeling of doom and gloom that was pervading the schools' corridors two years ago, the atmosphere at both establishments is now much brighter.
    Let's hope that Mr Patten does nothing to destroy that.