West End Extra - letters: Pimlico's poor

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West End Extra - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published: 6 July 2007

Pimlico’s poor state a scandal

• WHILE the uncertainty at Pimlico School continues about its possible change to academy status, the recent Ofsted report on the school’s progress since being put into special measures last January and managed by Westminster makes damning reading.
In particular the report says:
*“The support provided by the local authority is inadequate. The authority’s action plan does not outline any strategies to achieve its objectives, but consists mainly of a list of tasks, mostly up to July 2007. As the school is using this document as a main tool for driving forward improvements, these shortcomings seriously hamper progress. The authority, interim board and leadership team need to address the gaps in the action plan without delay to secure long term and sustainable improvements.”
*“Lack of clarity and uncertainty about the future of the school is having a destabilising and demoralising effect on the students and staff. There remain significant weaknesses in the collective leadership and management of the school.”
*“Progress since being subject to special measures – inadequate.”
The report also highlights the longstanding dilapidated and inadequate condition of the school buildings as being major contributory factors to the school’s failures.
The fact that a secondary school in one of the richest boroughs in the heart of the wealthiest city in the UK can be in such an appalling state is scandalous. Students and staff who have worked hard to get through the recent GCSEs and A-levels have suffered and deserve better.
CLIVE HELM
Former governor
Cephas Avenue, E1

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, West End Extra, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@westendextra.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Wednesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number.
Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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