Patronising us and telling us we're too young to have a right to worry about the fact we're not with our friends is just going to wind us up more. I admit the protest got out of hand when criminal damage started to be the case, but I do not regret my decision to involve myself. I have been at the Emmbrook three years now, and to be frank I can't imagine it any different. I have got used to the system and learnt to live with it and make it part of my lifestyle routine. I know that not being a fan of change isn't a great enough excuse but without my form: T, I probably wouldn't be as close with my friends as I am now. And it's not just our friends… I know some of us have grown attached to our tutors and learnt to bond with them in a way that is uncommon and quite hard to replace especially when you've been with only them since your first day. I quote - Why try and fix something that isn't broken? - I couldn't agree with this comment more. The day we found out this information I just remember walking out of school and seeing young children to older ones in floods of tears just because of this change. After asking us to suggest people we would like to be with, this was completely disregarded. This is not only unfair but proves our best interests were not the priority. How does this provide a happy environment? Whilst I agree that this is preparing us for the outside world, but when we involve ourselves with that then obviously we will be more mature and willing to try and fit ourselves in. But while the majority of this school is used to being in a healthy happy environment, changing it suddenly and unnecessarily, in my opinion is outrageous. People say that school is supposed to be the best time of your life. It's not going to be the case for us if we don't have our say in OUR school as well. We need to stick together as this is OUR community, be involved in the decision making process and not allow someone who has not been at the school for very long enforce undemocratic change. A HAPPY Emmbrook is a SUCCESSFUL Emmbrook.

Written by Francesca Shillcock Year 9 Student

   My daughter attends The Emmbrook school, I think it is a great pity that the pupils felt the need to protest in the first place, it shows a depth of passion. They are clearly very concerned about the new system and more especially that they will be parted from their friends.

School is a place for learning but that learning should include social skills, learning to trust and being part of a community and making friends, some of which will continue into adulthood.

It is a sad fact that bulling is common place in many schools today. We have had first hand experience of this, I understand that it is difficult for schools to deal with but it was with the support of her friends that she was able to continue to attend school when things got really bad. Where would she have turned under the new system being split from her friends and scared? We all know the depths bullying can send children into. It was the worst time for us, so please think very hard before you separate pupils who need the support of their friends.

Parent of Emmbrook pupil