| |
Pimlico pupils Cedric Thompson, 13, and Jake Fairman, 13, outside the gates of the school on Thursday |
West End Extra reporter ejected from meeting
TEMPERS flared at Pimlico School as the academy sponsor John Nash spoke to parents about the future of the iconic comprehensive.
Journalists were barred from the public meeting last night (Thursday) after Westminster schools chief Steve Farnsworth and headteacher Jo Shuter claimed the night was just for parents.
Frank Thomas, Westminster Council’s Building Schools for the Future adviser and a new face in the Pimlico story, backed the decision.
Communicating by text with exiled reporters outside the school hall, parents – who had willingly invited the press into the meeting – revealed how calls for a vote on whether to let the press in were rejected by the powers that be.
It was the first time John Nash, a Westminster resident, had been given a chance to put his case for improving Pimlico School.
But his plans, crucial to the 1,400 Pimlico pupils whose future is growing increasingly uncertain, cannot be
reported.
With Mr Nash safely inside, campaigners set up a shrine and locked the gates with a red ribbon, symbolising their view that the school has been gift-wrapped to Mr Nash – just in time for Christmas.
Dozens of schoolchildren sat in the meeting with paper plates bearing the visage of Mr Nash with a red cross stamped on his face. |
 |
|
| |
| |
