| |
MP’s fears for Pimlico parents
MARK Field MP has called on the Education Secretary to learn a lesson from fresh problems arising at Pimlico Academy.
The Conservative MP for Cities and Westminster told Ed Balls he had received complaints that charity Future, the sponsors of the academy, had axed six parent governor posts since the school opened last month.
He told the Commons on Monday: “The academy programme is making a great difference in my constituency at the erstwhile Pimlico school, which has had academy status. However, one concern is brought up time and again, that whereas the old school had no fewer than seven parent governors, the new academy constitution allows for just one parent governor. What does the Secretary of State think of that?
“In future, will the treatment of parent governors ensure that academies can have a proper rooting in a local community?”
Unlike schools run by the local authority, the sponsors of academies only have to include one parent governor on the school’s board.
Mr Balls said: “It is very important that the sponsor is able to lead the school, but it is also vital that parents are properly involved in the school.
“There is a clear requirement as regards parent governors, but there is also a minimum requirement. It is open to the school to have more parent governors, or alternatively to have a parent council.” |
 |
|
| |
| |
