11 Plus Exams Forum

I have to confess to starting this topic as I`m feeling a bit sorry for myself as my OH is said pfizer employer.

But, whilst I was working yesterday one of the consultants suggested the closure of Pfizer would have a massive effect on the number of children attending the Grammars in the area.

Having grilled DD last night it appears over 50% of her tutor group have one, or both, parents employed by Pfizer, or an company totally relying on Pfizer.

I`m not at all implying the people in East Kent are not able to fill the Grammar schools ( badly explained but YSWIM).

Generally it is a disaster for the area anyway, BUT with there allegedly being empty spaces at East Kent Grammars............

I think it will have a huge impact on the area generally, the site is huge and employs masses of people

There are also a lot of grammar schools in East Kent and that is where the spaces are , we are fortunate enough to not have the superselective trap that happens in the other side of the county. It will be interesting to see if other employment can be found for so many workers, surely they can't find jobs for everyone within the company and not everyone will want to/be able to move.

I don't know much about the East Kent area, but just wanted to pass on good wishes to you and your husband at a stressful time.Will dh be able to get another job ?

I'm being a bit dim, but what sort of implications do you mean, for schools ?

presumably if large numbers of people are moving out of the area, then the schools will have a lot of pupils leaving at the same time. A friend worked in a school near the Barracks ans when the regiment moved , children would leave in droves. She said it was not unknown for children to attend her class, leave and be back again in one school year, a big upheaval for 4/5 year olds

Yes my youngest goes to a primary school with children from Canterbury barracks.....there is due to be a mass exodus at easter . But the waiting list is massive so the school will be fine.

There is no other employment in the south east for the vast number of specialist science researchers that have been made redundant....if they want to stay in Big Pharma they will have to leave the area. in fact Big Pharma is vanishing in the Uk generally. A handful of them have been offered remployment in the USA ( us included but I don`t think we`ll go). They are a very academic bunch generally, and their children tend to be too....if they leave will the schools suffer. I suspect Roger Manwood Grammar in Sandwich will bear the brunt.

Thanks for your best wishes Scarlett, the answer is I don`t know, its a very specialist area. The estate agents are coming on Monday we have no choice but to sell up. And I suspect the housing market will flood in the next 18 months.

Having bust a gut ( so to speak) to get DD into Grammar school, I cannot bear to move her now.....

On the news last night, they were saying that they want the site to remain as a top pharmaceitocal (or something similar) site, as hte facilities are top notch.

I hope you find somethign soon. Was there any warning this closure was oging to happen?

No warning...OH ordered his new company car monday afternoon

I hope they find someone....but in this financial climate I think its unlikely. Its be a big ugly blot on the landscape if they leave it empty

just noticed my dreadful grammar in the thread title...

U400JB9 wrote:Having bust a gut ( so to speak) to get DD into Grammar school, I cannot bear to move her now.....

Oh how awful for you. I remember following your story last year getting your DD into grammar. I really hope you are able to sort things out and she doesn't have to move schools after all your hard work getting her there. Good luck to you re DHs job situation, it must be a very anxious time for you.

twinkles wrote:

U400JB9 wrote:Having bust a gut ( so to speak) to get DD into Grammar school, I cannot bear to move her now.....

Oh how awful for you. I remember following your story last year getting your DD into grammar. I really hope you are able to sort things out and she doesn't have to move schools after all your hard work getting her there. Good luck to you re DHs job situation, it must be a very anxious time for you.

Thank you. I`m hoping not too. The fight to get her into GS was so worth it as she is thriving there.
We r selling our house and renting something cheaper, and if OH has to work away during the week he will....not ideal, but needs must, and I think we`ll just be relieved he has work.....