Cllr Michael Pavey has responded to my posting earlier today which accused him of diluting his earlier opposition to academies and free schools.
Here is what he has to say (unedited):
Here is what he has to say (unedited):
My position on academies has been consistent.I distrust academies as a dangerous step towards the marketisation of education. But I have always been clear that Copland is a necessary exception. The recent Ofsted report highlighted extremely serious failures at Copland. Extremely troublingly it found that the most disadvantaged pupils were suffering the most. This is unacceptable and profound change is necessary. I wish this could be achieved through local authority leadership, but years of budget cuts have left us under-resourced for a school improvement challenge of this magnitude. An academy conversion was the only feasible alternative to give Copland the fresh start it desperately needs.Furthermore, I am delighted to be proposing a partnership with Ark Wembley, an enormously popular local school.The situation at Gladstone is considerably more complicated. I met the campaigners as one of my first acts after becoming Lead Member – and I applaud their work. However it is right and proper that the lead on this is provided by the school Governing Body. Far from cutting them adrift, the Council has provided close support and I fully respect the decisions they taken.I’ve not changed my views on academies but the world is not as black and white as some would like to assume.My responsibility is to the families of Brent and their children. I’m always happy to meet any residents to discuss my positions on academies or any other issues. Virtually every time I meet them they are disinterested in discussions about structures and just want to talk about raising standards. Local families want their children to get a top quality education so they can make something of their lives. That is the driving force behind every decision we have taken.”Cllr. Michael PaveyLead Member for Children & FamiliesLabour Councillor for Barnhill, Brent Council07941474261 @mikeypavey
Two Brent primaries are to become academies since Pavey became Lead for Children and Families in May this year. That's quite a scorecard for someone claiming to be consistently opposed to academisation. Let's if we get third time lucky with Mikey's alleged opposition to Gladstone Free school.
ReplyDeleteCorrection: that should be 'two Brent schools' only one of which is a primary. (Although Salsubury's status is curious too- does it, or does it not have an academy sponsor?)
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