Plans for First Way – where has our love of beauty gone?

The Indian Pavilion and the  Lake

 Guest blog by Philip Grant. I wonder if any recent planning application has contained the word 'beauty'!
 

Martin’s recent blog LINK  about possible plans for another hotel, on the Latif House site in First Way, just to the east of Wembley Stadium, reminded me how beautiful this location has been in the past.

Two hundred years ago it was part of the landscaped grounds of the Wembley Park mansion, which from the 1890’s became pleasure grounds for days out from the crowded streets of London. After the First World War it provided a home for the British Empire Exhibition in 1924, and the Latif House site (in red on the 1924 plan below) was part of the India Pavilion. This was an exotic edifice, in white painted re-inforced concrete  and fibrous plaster on a steel frame, in the 17^th century Moghul style.

The India Pavilion was divided into 27 sections, each for a separate Indian state, around a courtyard with a large expanse of water, surrounded by an open colonnade. The pavilion buildings took up three of the 4.9 acres allocated to the country, and the rest was laid out as gardens with palm trees and tropical flowers, and open spaces for visitors to enjoy.  

Each individual state’s “Court” had a display showcasing its particular skills and products, including (by coincidence, given the most recent use of the site) carpets from Bengal and Agra, which had a craftsman showing how these were made. Carvings in wood and ivory, jewellery, textiles and metalwork were all made in the pavilion and available to buy, and its restaurant introduced Indian dishes to the British public.

After the Exhibition ended, most of the building was demolished, although the concrete base it had been built on and some of the steel framework were re-used for commercial premises (see the address on the 1950’s advert!),  becoming the industrial estate we know today. The postcard view of the India Pavilion, at the eastern end of the BEE’s artificial lake, would today have a car park in the foreground, and ugly warehouses behind. Now there are proposals for a 16-storey hotel and 11-storey “apart-hotel”, more tall soulless boxes, rather than family homes, gardens and public green space, where once there was beauty. I’m not asking for a return to the mock-minarets and fantasy buildings of the British Empire Exhibition, but surely the planners and developers can do better than what they are delivering on the former exhibition grounds at Wembley Park!

Will property deals follow CNWL and CWC merger?

The CNWL Wembley Campus

The 'Fulton Quarter' site with CNWL just outside (bottom left)

The College of North West London (CNWL) and City of Westminster College (CWC) have announced that their respective corporations have agreed to a merger, subject to the approval of the Education Secretary, Justine Greening LINK.

Andy Cole, Principal of CNWL, who previously was Vice Principal of CWC, had emphasised the independence of CNWL when taking up the post after the retirement of Vicki Fagg in August 2013 LINK

Plans to merge the two colleges had been abandoned earlier in March 2013.

Cole said 

I believe the college is well placed to secure for itself a distinctive and independent future; a future that will see us delivering the very best opportunities for our students, business partners and communities; a future that will see the College as the destination of choice for vocational education and training.

Something has obviously happened to make him change his mind.

The CNWL has already sold off some of its property in Kilburn and Wembley and before the announcement of the merger was in talks with developers over its remaining Wembley Park building (the other is now occupied by Michaela Free School). 

The Wembley Park site is next door to the proposed development of the adjacent Wembley Retail Park and Fountain Studios renamed by Quintain as 'the Fulton Quarter' LINK.   Given the Quintain developments around the stadium the college site is prime land. It has been suggested that there could be a higher education facility on the site.  

CNWL plans for the Wembley site included a housing component but at the meeting of the CNWL  Finance and Resources Committee on January 18th members discussed an approach made by Brent Council:

The college has been approached by Brent Council with a view to purchase the Wembley site, and they have intimated that they would not look favourably on planning permission for the required housing provision if the college proceeds with an alternative developer. 

The meeting minutes record that members went on to discuss when CWC should be told of Brent Council's interest and discussed whether the proposed developer should be made aware of Brent Council's approach. They discussed what influence Brent Council would have on the college's future and noted that under devolution Brent Council would in future be the funder for the Adult Skills Budget.

As readers of this blog have been reminded all too frequently the Brent Planning Committee is statutorily independent of the Council and charged with making decisions only on planning grounds so the message from Brent Council is particularly interesting.

Responding to the statutory consultation on the merger Brent Council said LINK:

SUPPORT; It enhances the breadth and relevance of learning opportunities for residents in Central and West London and will help to secure financial stability.

Public sector organisations are under presure to cash in on the value of their properties under the One Public Estate Strategy. Rationalisation of sites, letting surplus property at market rents, selling of sites for housing and redevelopment of sites retaining pubic sector facilities but also providing housing or commercial facilities have all formed part of the strategy.

The merger of CNWL and  CWC will doubtless lead to a review of their respective properties.

Yes, yet another Wembley hotel this time with industrial site neighbours

Let's face it, First Way, Wembley is not the most prepossessing place for yet another hotel. Flanked by an industrial estate with waste lorries and construction trucks rumbling by and this (below) just down the road, guests would not exactly be in a healthy environment.

However the site of rug outlet Latif House  (below) may eventually become a hotel and 'apart-hotel' according to a pre-application presentation at last week's Brent Planning Committee. A hotel of approximately 16 storeys containing 274 hotel hotel rooms and an 11 storey 'apart hotel' containing 186 apart-hotel rooms is planned.

Planning Officers have a number of reservations about the proposal including the fact that it will reduce the number of residential units scheduled for the area. They are also concerned about the height. This is clearly important as it will set a precedent for an as yet undeveloped part of the Quintain empire on the eastern side of the stadium. The planners point out that the planned height would 'appear incongruous with the wider street scene' and would not (planners speak) 'respectfully appear subservient to the building occupying the visually prominent site at Ketaly House.' They add that the building would need to respect the transition between high density residential development to the west and established low rise industrial development to the east.

Planning officers are clear that there are vital environmental issues to be taken into account including noise insulation due to the  proximity of commercial premises, air quality, construction noise and dust, asbestos, kitchen odour, light pollution and potential for land to be contaminated.

It is interesting to note that the annexe of Latif House was withdrawn from sale at a price of just £30,000 LINK . Given the above I wonder what the value of the site is now?

Flash Rally tomorrow to put Environment on the GE2017 Agenda

The environment has been ignored in the General Election campaign so far. 

With 2016 the hottest year on record and Britain facing an air pollution crisis, the Green Party has decided enough it enough. 

We want to know: 'Where is the environment?'

Caroline Lucas, Green Party co-leader, will stage an emergency intervention into the General Election campaign to highlight how the environment has been ignored in the national debate - with no mention in the debates and glossed over in the other parties' manifestos.

The Green Party wants to put the environment back on the political agenda. 

Lucas and Green Party campaigners will visit Labour HQ and 10 Downing Street with a giant Green question mark, asking Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May: “Where is the environment?”. 

The question mark will then be taken to Parliament Square where Lucas will give a speech about the importance of the environment.
Join us to make our message heard!

Tuesday 30 May 2017, at 10.30am (please arrive by 10.25) at Labour Headquarters: Southside, 105 Victoria Street, SW1E 6QT.

'Liar Liar' by CaptainSKA has got to No.10 in download chart but...

From the People's Assembly Against Austerity

Captain Ska's 'Liar Liar' hit no.10 in the download chart today but the BigTop40 chart show on CapitalFM and Heart refused to play it. 

LISTEN to the moment the BigTop40 show refused to play the song

Performed and produced by the band Captain Ska and promoted by campaign organisation the People’s Assembly Against Austerity the song features various speeches and news interviews from Theresa May followed by a chorus of ‘She’s a Liar, Liar…you can’t trust her, no no no no'.  

The song attacks the Conservative Parties' record in office over the NHS crisis, education and levels of poverty. "When there's nurses going hungry and schools in decline I don't recognise this broken country of mine' goes one of the lyrics. 

The song has been available for download from last Friday 26th May and has been rising up in the iTunes charts, reaching no.10 today. 

The chart show, hosted by Marvin Humes & Kat Shoob, announced the track had reached no.10 but instead of playing it went straight onto playing no.9. 

Jake from Captain Ska said

“This can only be seen as an attempt by the media owners to undermine public opinion. Thousands of people have downloaded this track and we demand that it is aired as any other song would be."

TAKE ACTION

The People's Assembly is asking all supporters to complain to the BigTop40.

1. Email a complaint: click here for contact form
2. Tweet - demand the track is played! Make sure you tag @BigTop40
3. Call CapitalFM and complain: 02070548000

The People's Assembly sent the following tweet: (feel free to retweet but please do your own too)
Liar Liar by @CaptainSKA got to No.10 in download chart - @BigTop40 refuse to play it. Can we get an explanation? @MarvinHumes @katshoob

DOWNLOAD THE TRACK HERE

Amazon - iTunes - Bandcamp - Spotify

(Please note Captain Ska previously released a version of Liar Liar in 2010 so don't download the wrong one! Correct track is called 'Liar Liar GE2017')

Keep downloading - we can still push it up the charts and force the media to play it! 

Feminist group Sisters Uncut have occupied the recently closed Holloway Prison to demand the government fund domestic violence services

Sisters Uncut activists on the roof of old Holloway Prison visitor’s centre, 27/05/2017. 

Credit: North London Sisters Uncut

From Sisters Uncut 

At 14:30 on Saturday 27th May, feminist direct action group Sisters Uncut occupied Holloway Prison Visitor’s Centre to demand that the empty space be used to support local domestic violence survivors. Eight activists entered the building via an open window, as 150 rallied outside. No arrests have been made.

The action comes in advance of the general election. Sisters Uncut say that chaotic Conservative budgets have decimated the number of refuges in the UK and warn that the domestic violence sector is on its last legs. According to Women’s Aid, refuges are now being forced to turn away two thirds of women seeking safety.

Sisters Uncut claim to be the ‘voice of domestic violence survivors’ in this election. They criticise Theresa May for failing to deliver her promise to make it easier for domestic violence survivors to vote in. This means that many survivors are locked out of voting for fear that their abuser will track them down via their address.

Holloway Prison, the largest women’s prison in Western Europe, closed suddenly in 2016 and the buildings have been left empty since. Sisters Uncut plan to maintain their ‘reclamation’ for a week, holding workshops on women’s well being, self-defence and legal rights.

Sisters Uncut activist Aisha Streetson said:

We are reclaiming the former prison, a site of violence, to demand that public land is used for public good. Prisons are an inhumane response to social problems faced by vulnerable women – the government should provide a better answer.

A local domestic violence support worker, Lauren Massing, who is attending the protest said:

If the government have money for mega prisons, they have money for domestic violence support services. 46% of women in prison are domestic violence survivors – if they had the support they needed, it’s likely they wouldn’t end up in prison

Something different: Tone's Coffee Shop Hustings Thursday June 1st

Now this is what I call enterprising and Tone has some very good questions:

Keep up the pressure on school funding by using School Cuts website

The School Cuts website has been updated.  You can now see which candidates have made the pledge to support proper funding for schools and the impact on particular schools of the manifesto promises of the three main parties.

The School Cuts site is embedded here so you can get information by typing directly into the search engine above.

At the time of writing this was the candidate response for Brent seats:

Half-term pond-dipping and mini-beast hunt at Welsh Harp Centre

Welsh Harp Education Centre Half Term Fun 

£3

Join us at the Education Centre for a day filled with adventure!

30^th and 31^st May

Activities on both days:

10.30am –12.00pm Pond Dipping
Dip your net to find out what creatures call the ponds home. Explore the meadow and create a piece of art.
£3 per child

1pm –2.30pm Mini-beast Safari
Hunt in the woodland for mini-beasts and go on our wildlife quiz trail.
£3 per child.

Limited spaces so book now!
Phone: 07734 871 728
Email: welshharpcentre@thames21.org.uk

Pay in cash on the day, or by BACS transfer before the day – details available on request.

Terms & Conditions:

• Children can only participate with a supervising adult. This adult is responsible during the visit for making sure that:

• The child/ren they have brought are supervised at all times and are responsible for their behaviour.
• Minimum ratio of 1 adult to 3 children.
• Adult supervisor will need to provide any specific medication for children.
• All visitors should bring their own lunch with them on the day if they plan to stay for both sessions.
  • We have a maximum group size of 25 children so children will only be admitted if booked in advance.
  • Each session costs £3 per child.
  • All activities are suitable for ages 5 and over. Children aged 4 and under who are not participating in activities are free of charge.
  • Children and adults should wear comfortable outdoor clothing that may get dirty.
  • Bookings must only be cancelled in extenuating circumstances and Thames21 must be notified at least 3 days in advance.

Thames21 reserves the right to cancel a visit if weather conditions are deemed unsafe or if adult to child ratio is not met.

TUSC standing in Brent election

When I was a teacher I always enjoyed running mock school elections. They are a great educational resource combining an introduction to democratic processes (and their limitations) and writing, speaking and debating skills. I was interested to see campaigning posters at Queens Park Community School when I attended Education Question Time at the school on Friday.

TUSC is standing in the school election although they are standing down nationally in order to back a Corbyn led government LINK.

The election will be held on June 7th, the day before the General Election proper and I look forward to hearing the result.

These are the Lib Dem and Labour posters. I will be happy to publish any from other parties standing at the school that weren't on display in the foyer.

Brent Central candidates have their say on the school funding issue

With some hustings cancelled due to the Manchester incident last night was one of the few chances to hear from Brent Central's General Election candidates.

It was a sometime rumbustious meeting but well chaired by Lucy Cox with Labour supporters in the majority. I am afraid my camera work is very shaky as a result from being fresh out of hospital and failed completely when the Ukip candidiate began to speak. My apologies.

This extract focuses on school funding which is very much the question of the moment although of course the purpose and focus of education is also a matter of debate.

I will be publishing more of what Shaka Lish the Green Party had to say on the Brent Green Party blog LINK

South Kilburn - the Non-consultation putting putting entrepreneurs ahead of residents

The official Brent Council view - is this the reality?

Guest post by Pete Firmin, South Kilburn resident

I went to the consultation on the future of the Granville Centre on Wednesday afternoon LINK with another member of our Tenants and Residents Association Committee. Not because we think those events are particularly useful, but because if no-one goes and makes critical remarks, they will say everyone welcomes their proposals. [Although sometimes they say that anyway]

We were greeted by someone from the Architects, who told us "this is what we are going to do". Of course, the architects are given a remit to carry out, but this is a long way from what consultation should be - the latest in a long line of Brent consultations where you are told what is going to happen, whether you like it or not.

Apart from pointing out that that isn't consultation, we said that their proposals - partitioning the large hall - effectively destroyed one of the few remaining community spaces in South Kilburn. She said it was underused by the community, to which we pointed out that that is because Brent has run down the services which did use it. Being from the architects, rather than those promoting the scheme, she didn't go there.

The main proposal is to partition the main hall to create workshops for entrepreneurs. SK Trust's sole emphasis now seems to be on "promoting entrepreneurs". Not quite sure how that fits in with representing all SK residents (as Brent always claims on behalf of SK Trust). And we were told `some' of those entrepreneurs will be local, which I take to mean most won't be.

The largest community space left will be about 1/3rd of the size of the large hall, meaning larger events (like the recent meeting with Zadie Smith, or the coming election hustings) could not be held there.It means the only largish `community' spaces left in SK will be tied to religious establishments, not the Council.

We were interviewed about the proposals on a video for the SK Trust, in which we said most of the above. Unfortunately the person filming asked us not to stray on to our criticisms of the SK Trust (now that would have made the visit worth it!).

As ever with such events, there was no-one present who actually favour and promote these proposals. So much for accountability. Leslie Barson from the Granville Centre and kitchen was there, and we went partly to support her and the work the Granville does, but they have their backs to the wall with no alternative but to accept what is happening.

I'm not naive enough to think that this steamroller can be stopped, but think it worth sharing so people know what is going on.

For the masochists among you, there is a further "consultation" on Wednesday 14th June, 3-8 p.m. at the Granville, renamed "South Kilburn Studios and Community Space @Granville 

Extra security at Wembley this weekend plus Manchester tributes

Photo: Evening Standard/Getty Images

During the consultation on 'Shaping a Healthier Future' which proposed closure of several A&E services, including Central Middlesex, I repeatedly raised the issue of whether what remained could cope with a 'major incident' in Brent which includes the Park Royal Industrial Estate,  several railway lines, the North Circular, Wembley Arena and Wembley Stadium all potential accident or attack sites.

On event days at Wembley roads in the area are very congested, particularly for the recently increased full capacity events, making acess for emergency vehicles extremely difficult.

The events in Manchester make this question even more relevant. I understand there is a special committee that keeps security in Wembley under constant review although its proceedings are not made public.

It appears that we may see armed police patrolling in Wembley this long weekend of Stadium events.

Meanwhile the Stadium has issued the following guidance to fans:

MESSAGE FOR FANS COMING TO WEMBLEY STADIUM

The safety of fans is of paramount importance and we have robust security measures in place at Wembley Stadium connected by EE. In collaboration with the Metropolitan Police and the local authorities there will be an enhanced security operation for all upcoming events. 

All supporters attending the upcoming matches at Wembley Stadium are advised to arrive as early as possible to avoid queues and to support commemorations of the tragic events in Manchester this week.

Fans can be assured that all appropriate security measures are in place for the upcoming matches, which includes thorough searches upon entrance to Wembley Stadium, and they are encouraged to arrive as early as possible to avoid any delays in entering the stadium.  We strongly advise that all supporters arrive at the stadium no later than 1 hour prior kick-off to be inside for the start of the match and we encourage spectators to not bring any bags or unnecessary items with them.

The FA plans to appropriately remember Monday’s Manchester attack before the kick-off of the Emirates FA Cup Final including: 

• A period of silence will be observed prior to kick-off
• Commemorative wreaths will be laid by The President of the Football Association, his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and The Football Association Chairman, Greg Clarke
• Arsenal and Chelsea players will wear black armbands as well as the match officials

In addition, all four teams and match officials taking part in the Sky Bet Play-Off Finals on Sunday and Monday will wear black armbands and observe a period of silence prior to kick-off.

On Tuesday night The FA lit the Wembley Arch in England colours to remember the victims and to show support for all those affected by the attack, as well as displaying ‘For Manchester’ on the front of the stadium.

The Emirates FA Cup Final matchday programme was printed prior to this weekend’s matches, so there is no reference to Monday night’s tragic events due to print deadline. The FA will instead be showing its support with the plans listed above.

We thank all supporters for their cooperation and understanding.

Saturday 27 May

Emirates FA Cup Final: Arsenal v Chelsea

17:30 kick-off

Sunday 28 May

Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final: Blackpool v Exeter City

15:00 kick-off

Monday 29 May

Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final: Huddersfield Town v Reading

15:00 kick-off

Support the BEST education - not the most STRESSED!

10,000 meals for the vulnerable this Ramadan

 From Sufra Foodbank and Kitchen NW London

 BRENT - To mark the start of Ramadan, local Muslim communities across North-West London have launched a special appeal to deliver 10,000 meals over the next 30 days to disadvantaged and vulnerable families in the local community.

      Ramadan is the Muslim month of fasting, charity and penitence, when believers abstain from food and drink between dawn and dusk – which extends beyond 19 hours of the day during the summer months.

      At a cost of £1 per meal, local Muslim communities aim to raise £10,000 over the next month, which will ensure that Sufra NW London’s food bank and community kitchen can support over 500 people during Ramadan.

Donations towards the appeal can be made here.

      “We are very proud of our strong relationship with all faith communities who help to sustain the food bank throughout the year with their donations and in-kind contributions. We would like to wish our Muslim donors, friends and supporters a blessed month of Ramadan,” said Diarmuid O’Hegarty, Chair of Sufra NW London.

      Throughout Ramadan, local mosques are planning food collections, cooking sessions for the homeless and fundraising events coinciding with ‘iftar’ – the fast-breaking meal at sunset in aid of Sufra NW London.

      The charity has also launched a Ramadan Giving Calendar for children to learn about the importance of giving regularly to charity. The calendar is available here.

Headteachers' review of the education policies of the three main parties

Ahead of tonight's Education Question Time at 6.30pm tonight at Queens Park Community School it is worth reading the National Association of Headteachers review of the three main parties education policies. It is a great pity that they do not consider the Green Party's views.

New reports comparing the general election manifestos from the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the Education Policy Institute are published today. 

Commenting on these reports, Russell Hobby, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT said:

Education continues to be an important issue for voters in this election. Anyone with the best interests of children and young people at heart will be glad to see that all the major parties have devoted space to education in their manifestos. 

There are clear differences in policy and priority for the parties, so there’s plenty for parents, teachers and school leaders to think about. Older pupils, who may be voting for the first time, will also have a view.

Thanks to continued pressure by parents and schools, there is now cross-party recognition that school budgets are at breaking point. This is not a moment too soon because our research shows that seven out of ten school leaders believe their budgets will be untenable by the 2019/20 academic year. However, there are elements in all of the manifestos that will leave voters wondering how proposals will be funded and whether they will achieve the benefits to pupils that the parties claim.

NAHT had been focussing on five key priorities which we believe all parties should sign up to:

• To fund education fully and fairly, reversing the £3bn real terms cuts that schools are facing and providing enough money to make the new national funding formula a success.

• To put forward a national strategy for teacher recruitment and retention that recognises teachers as high-status professionals and guarantees enough teachers for every school.

• To adopt fair methods to hold schools to account, recognising that test and exam results are only part of the picture when judging a pupil’s success or a school’s effectiveness.

• To value a broad range of subjects in the school day so that pupils’ opportunities are not limited and they are properly prepared for adult life.

• To make sure that schools are supported by health and social care services to allow schools to fulfil their role to promote pupil wellbeing rather than making up for cuts to other services.

So far over 150 parliamentary candidates have signed up including Tim Farron, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Angela Rayner, Shadow Secretary of State for Education, and Natalie Bennett, former leader of the Green Party. Ed Miliband, the former Labour leader has also signed up. To date, no Conservative candidates have signed up. The list of signatories is continually being updated, and can be found here. 

Funding

Mr Hobby said: “Funding is still the number one issue in education, without sufficient cash, schools will always struggle to implement any new or established policies. The rest of the debate about education begins and ends with that fact. It is welcome, for instance, that both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have proposed to address the current reductions in real terms funding for post-16 education, which have left the 16 to 18 phase relatively underfunded compared to secondary school education. It is time for the whole education system to be given the investment it so desperately needs.”

Recruitment

Mr Hobby said: “Disappointingly, there is not much from any of the parties on how to solve the teacher recruitment crisis. Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have pledged to abolish the 1 per cent public sector pay cap, which would certainly help, but the Conservatives have not made any commitments to remove the cap, which is likely to cause teacher pay to continue to decline in real and relative terms, making it a less attractive career choice. Guaranteeing enough high quality teachers for every school is a sufficiently complicated and important enough requirement to demand that the government takes overall responsibility for it by implementing a national strategy.”

Accountability

Mr Hobby said: “Whilst there are some areas of concern, England’s schools are overwhelmingly of a high quality. School leaders have earned the right to fair methods to hold schools to account, recognising that test and exam results are only part of the picture when judging a pupil’s success or a school’s effectiveness. Narrow, high stakes accountability causes activity damage. The Conservatives’ plans to increase accountability at Key Stage 3, demonstrate an unwillingness to build a fair system and will dismay many school leaders. Reducing the target for participation in the English Baccalaureate from 90 per cent to 75 per cent merely proves how arbitrary that target was and we will continue to campaign to see this dropped altogether. 

“Whilst all three parties are pledging to reform assessment in primary schools, Labour have made an explicit commitment to abolish any baseline assessments. As the EPI says, the development of a new baseline assessment does need to be handled with care, but it is disappointing that Labour have ruled out further examination of its possibilities, given its potential to provide a measure of pupil progress over the entire course of primary school. We would urge all three parties to build on the significant impact that our ‘Redressing the Balance’ report has had on the assessment and accountability debate.”

Mental Health

Mr Hobby said: “There is cross-party consensus of the need to make significant changes to children and young people’s mental health services, which is welcome. Although recognition must be given to the increasing contribution that schools are making to support the mental health needs of pupils, there can be no expectation on any school to provide health and social care services funded from the school budget. NAHT does not believe that it is fair for schools to be held to account for mental wellbeing when their efforts are so dependent on the quality and availability of other services that young people need.”

Students with Special Needs

Mr Hobby said: “In terms of the way the education system works for every student, regardless of who they are, both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have also outlined strategies in their manifestos specifically directed towards the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). With a significant gap in attainment scores for SEND and non-SEND pupils, they risk being left behind. These commitments are therefore welcome. In contrast, the Conservatives have made no reference to the needs of pupils with SEND in their manifesto, which is extremely disappointing.”

Narrowing the Gap

Mr Hobby concluded: “All the main parties state that they want to improve things for pupils who come from less well-off families but their chosen methods are very different. Much has been made of the two most high profile Conservative Party priorities; the end of Universal Infant Free School Meals and the return of selective education. Ending the school meals entitlement for infants after only three years and without a proper evaluation of the project takes a much too short term view of the issue. Almost a million children will be affected, so we believe the entitlement should be retained. It is likely that ending the universal entitlement will reduce economies of scale and further damage school budgets. 

“The plans to offer free breakfasts instead have not been costed properly and do not include additional funding in order to meet upfront costs, increased demand and the need for additional staffing. Labour and Liberal Democrat plans to expand free school meals to all primary students are noble but will only work if funding is sufficient and the all the practicalities of simultaneously feeding a greater number of pupils have been taken into account.

“NAHT does not support any plans to expand grammar schools. As the EPI states in its report today, pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are seriously under-represented in grammar schools and additional selective schools have no significant net positive or negative impact on pupil attainment - instead they modestly redistribute educational attainment towards the small number who gain entry to grammar schools and away from the much larger proportion of children who do not. Pupils from black and minority ethnic families are particularly ill served by grammar schools, which cannot be a good thing for social mobility of cohesion.”

You can read our summary of the main parties’ manifestos here. 

(Note it is a pity the NAHT did not include the radical Green Party policy for education here)