Parents, pupils, staff, unions, councillors and the local MP unite to save Byron Court Primary from the clutches of the Harris Federation - 'It belongs to our community'

 

The quiet suburban streets, lined with spring flowers and blossoms, around Byron Court Primary School. burst into passionate life today as the community rose up, united in their desire to save the much-loved school from forced academisation following a poor Ofsted report.

Meanwhile in an anonymous London Department for Education building the fate of the school was being decided by equally anonymous civil servants.

What a contrast!

Those attending were united in their belief that the school could and would improve without being handed over to the Harris Federation academy chain whose reputation is poor. Importantly they wanted the school to remain within the community and accountable to that community.

 

 

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: