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School under fire over plan to save garden from sell-off
Teachers fear foundation primary would be less accountable
A TEACHERS’ union is calling for a ballot over plans to turn a Finsbury Park primary into a foundation school.
The NUT wants parents and staff at Pooles Park Primary School, in Lennox Road, to have a say on plans they claim would be a step towards privatisation.
They have written to the school’s governors urging them to reconsider the plans. The school is in the process of consulting on the proposals.
Headteacher Greg Crawford, speaking on behalf of governors, said the aim of the foundation school bid was primarily to prevent its buildings being sold off by the council.
Foundation status allows the buildings and any land to be transferred to the school, he explained.
The NUT argues that a foundation school would be less democratic, as elected governors would be replaced by foundation-appointed governors. The union claims it would mean less support for the school from Islington Council, the transfer of public assets and the possibility of holiday times being changed.
But Mr Crawford said Pooles Park would get the same support from the council as a church school. He added: “There will be at least as many parent-governors and they will be elected.”
The Department for Children, Schools and Families has written to all schools advocating that they become foundation or trust schools.
“Our governors saw this and thought it would benefit the school, particularly through ownership of the premises,” Mr Crawford said.
He added that the school hopes to protect its buildings and garden – which he credits with helping pupils achieve high standards in science – by taking ownership away from Islington Council.
“The local authority has to meet financial targets and they are selling off property,” he said. “Our standards in science are very high and we’ve got a garden, which could be sold off by the council.” Unison and NASUWT unions had been supportive, he added.
Mr Crawford said the governors hoped to develop a pre-school service. Pooles Park wanted to maintain its reputation as “the most inclusive school in Islington” by maintaining its admissions policy.
Islington NUT assistant branch secretary Ken Muller is calling for a public debate and a ballot of all interested parties. “Foundation schools, trust schools and academies break up the locally accountable system of schooling and make it harder to plan in the best interests of all the borough’s children,” he said.
“All Islington schools should be part of a coherently planned education service, accountable to democratically elected and accountable councillors.”
The NUT is urging parents to tell school governors to reject the scheme. |
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Your comments:
I went to the school from 1931 to 1937. I would love to know of any photo or mention of the school during my time there.
Regards
Peter lloyd.
Adelaide, South Australia
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