UPDATED: Harris Federation addressing Capital City Academy parents tonight about their takeover of the school. NEU ballot on action against the takeover goes out tomorrow.

 

 Capital City Academy to be handed over to Harris Federation?

 

Harris Federation have invited parents to two presentations about their planned forced takeover of the Willesden's Capital City Academy. The first tonight is in-person at 5pm and the second on zoom next Tuesday:

To give you a better understanding of the Harris Federation and what it means to join our group, we will be holding two information evenings for parents:

 
• Thursday 4th May at 5pm in person at Capital City Academy
• Tuesday 9th May at 6pm online. Please use the link Harris Federation Presentation or LINK

These meetings will give you a chance to learn more about us, our approach to running schools and the opportunities joining our Federation will create. Following a presentation from us, parents will be invited to ask any questions they might have.

Their intention is that Capital City Academy will join the Harris Federation in September but the move is meeting opposition despite the Federation's rather general assurance to parents that 'everything that is great about your school will remain the same'. 

There are concerns about the lack of consultation about the takeover, possible loss of staff due to proposed changes in pay and conditions, a reduced A Level offer as other schools leave the current consortium of schools that Capital City belongs to, and the reportedly high level of permanent exclusions, internal exlusions and use of isolation in Harris Schools.

The loss of a community school, albeit an academy, to be subsumed into a Federation of 50 schools, without any democratic process will be of concern in Brent beyond those of current pupils, parents and staff.

Joining a Federation where the boss earns £455,000 a year is not viewed favourably either.

A ballot of NEU members on action against the takeover goes out tomorrow.

UPDATE - this evening c50 parents attended the meeting along with some staff. Press and public were not allowed to attend.

This leaflet was given out to parents:

 

 

 

 

Call for support to keep Harris Federation's hands off Capital City

 

Today's NEU strike action and rally gave the NEU representative at Capital City Academy a chance to update members on what is happening  regarding the takeover of the school by the Harris Federation Multi-Academy Trust - founded by  a carpet millionaire.

The proposal was a shot out of the blue some time ago and came without any consultation with staff unions, governors, parents, the community or the local council. It is a sign of the increasing marketisation of education that there is no democratic involvement at all - schools can be traded as commodities.

There is resistance. 

People who are opposed to the takeover are asked to join others at the school at 4.30pm on Thursday 4th May where the Harris Federation will be trying to smooth-talk parents into supporting their bid.

Government policy is now to push all schools into multi-academny trusts (MATs). This leaves stand-alone academies, that often converted from local authority schools for financial reasons, in a vulnerable position. Brent already  has schools run by Ark and E-Act, and this would be the first Harris Federation incursion in the borough. Some stand-alone secondary academies (not in a multi-academy trust) such as Wembley and Preston Manor have also started primary departments.  They all lack the democratic accountability previously derived from local authority oversight.

BREAKING: Capital City Academy in Brent to be taken over by Harris Federation Academy Trust chain

Capital City Academy (Photo: Foster & Partners)
 

This is the announcement posted on City Academy's website on  Friday. It will be the first Harris Academy in Brent. Questions are likely to follow about how a major school in the borough can be taken over by an academy chain without any apparent reference to teacher trade unions, local residents or the local authority.

Capital City Academy, a successful secondary school in Brent, has announced its intention to join academy trust the Harris Federation, from September 2023.

Founded more than 30 years ago by Lord Harris of Peckham, the Harris Federation runs 52 primary and secondary academies in and around London. Two-thirds of Harris secondary academies are rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted – compared to less than a fifth nationally – and they receive around four applications from parents for every place available.

Capital City Academy was founded by sponsor Sir Frank Lowe in 2004, who built a state-of-the-art school, designed by world famous architect Lord Foster, on the site of failing Willesden High School. The school has thrived and provides exceptional facilities and an environment that nurtures academic, artistic and sporting success.

Sir Frank Lowe said:

Sponsoring and opening this academy has been a very fulfilling personal achievement for me. I first became involved because I wanted to give something back and, in the nearly twenty years that have followed, I have greatly enjoyed seeing our pupils flourish. I am forever grateful to the children, families, staff and governors who have shared my vision and helped make the academy what it is today.

I have long admired the Harris Federation, an academy trust known for consistently brilliant outcomes for pupils.  The idea of joining was initiated by the 2022 Schools White Paper, which called for every Single Academy Trust to be in or on its way to joining a Multi-Academy Trust by 2030. After meeting the Harris Federation, I clearly saw many benefits and opportunities, and strongly felt joining was in the best interests of the school.  I am also keen for the academy to have the stability that comes with being part of a successful larger trust – particularly in these uncertain economic times. Capital City Academy is a thriving school, but it can achieve even more as part of a like-minded group, dedicated to providing opportunity for all pupils to reach their full potential

As part of the Harris Federation, Capital City Academy will have access to a consultant team of 70 leading subject specialists whose job is to create excellence in every component of the curriculum.

Pupils from the academy will participate in initiatives such as the Harris Experience, designed to broaden the cultural and academic experiences of the most academically promising young people, and which has helped ensure Harris pupils now attend Russell Group universities at a rate of more than twice the national average.  

The Harris Federation will provide training, support and career development opportunities for staff as well as expert, hands-on teams in finance, estates, IT, HR and recruitment, freeing up teachers and leaders to focus on one thing and one thing only: the outstanding education of their pupils. 

Sir Dan Moynihan, CEO of the Harris Federation, said:

We are very pleased to be welcoming Capital City Academy to our Federation and know we can help it continue to deliver Sir Frank’s original vision for the school, which was to help ensure local children had access to the best quality educational opportunities. It is a successful school, and we are looking forward to working with students, staff, parents and governors to ensure a smooth and collaborative transition in time for the next academic year.

Capital City Academy came out of Labour Party support for academisation of 'failing schools'. Harris Federation was started by Carpetright millionaire Lord Harris of Peckham (knighted by Margaret Thatcher and made a lord by John Major).  The Harris Federation does not provide trade union facility time.

Harris Federation accounts LINK.

Jenny Cooper, co-secretary of Brent Education Union said:

The NEU are extremely concerned to hear this news second- hand and look forward to being invited to a consultation. We will support our members to exercise their rights to TUPE and a full and thorough consultation.

Quamari Barnes Memorial Fund Appeal

A Memorial Fund has been set up to help Quamari Barnes' parents with funeral and burial expenses following his killing outside Capital City academy on Monday.  Dealing with sudden death is difficult enough without the added stress of money worries caused by funeral expenses that couldn't possible have been expected.

A Go Funding page has been set up by Quamari's God Parent Sasha Mitchell HERE:

This is what Sasha wrote about Quamari:

On January 23rd 2017, we unexpectedly lost Quamari Serunkuma Barnes in a horrific attack outside his school.

We send our children to school and trust that they are safe but Quamari was chased down outside his school gates and stabbed to death.

He was a respectful, loving good boy and it truly breaks my heart that we lost him in this way.

He wasn't in gangs, drugs or any crimes. He was just a beautiful boy who loved his friends and family.

Quamari was my Godson, and I have set up this account with the permission of his parents to support and assist them through this difficult time. They will be receiving all of the funds from this campaign.

We are asking for 20,000 to cover all funeral and burial expenses and other expenses they may incur.

Our family thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this horrendous time.

We would appreciate any donations.

Please help spread the word!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/-quamari-barnes-willesden-stabbing-london-9684433

#Justice4Quamari

#QdotzWorld