Last chance to attend a public consultation meeting on Islamia Primary's controversial proposed move from Queens Park to Preston ward. Wednesday November 9th, 7pm Preston Park Primary School

 

What appears to be the last public consultation meetong on the future of Islamia Primary School takes place tomorrow, Wednesday 9th November at Preston Park Primary School, College Road, Wembley. HA9 8RJ. (Nearest tube Preston Road on the Metropolitan Line).

So far the only option offered has been move to Strathcona Road site in Preston ward or close. The consultation closes on November 16th. You can comment on the Brent Council Have Your Say site HERE.

Here are a selection of the comments so far. Publication here does not represent approval of the content but it is important for everyone to know what is being said.

Strongly Oppose the relocation to this site

 

The site is most definitely not suitable for the school (any type of school for that matter).

The road itself is very narrow and Carlton avenue is already a very busy road. As many have mentioned the students of this school are not located in the local area and therefore probably won’t use public transportation. That means their parents will drive them in. Adding to traffic and local pollution. Wasn’t this the reason those ridiculous LTNs were installed.

Many of the students parents don’t even want the school relocated to this site and even started a petition. 

 

Brent council don’t seem to have the local residents in mind when proposing such ideas. It is already an over populated area where resources are being maxed out. 

 

Again I’d like to express how strongly I oppose this school moving to this site.

 

HA9 doesn't not need or want this school

 

Reasons relocating the school to HA9 / Strathcona is a totally unsuitable:

• Already excellent and undersubscribed primary schools in very close proximity
• Strathcona Road is extremely narrow and too small to accommodate the influx of extra traffic, leading to my next point..
• Original site of the school is the other side of the borough, 6 miles and 30 mins drive away.
• It's sheer hypocrisy for Brent Council to have inflicted the disastrous LTN system upon HA9 - apparently because we have so much local traffic - but then to also want to site a new, unnecessary unwanted school right in the same area.
• Unfeasible that many young children will be able to use public transport assuming they live near the Queens Park site: it is 30-45 minutes away by train or over 1 hour by bus.
• Many of the school's own parents / pupils don't want to be relocated to such a distant site, see petition at: https://democracy.brent.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=236&RPID=0&HPID=0
• Lastly but importantly, I don't believe it's right for any school to segregate itself by any religion. Why in a modern society should we want our children to not be taught equality and multiculturalism?

School at Strathcona site

We do not need another school at this site. There are already 3 schools in an around the area and it gets extremely busy in the school peak hours. Residents of the area are extremely unhappy with this proposal because this will create additional traffic, congestion and noise and air pollution.

This site is on the narrow road with parking on both sides of the road. The bus route 223 also operates through this narrow road. If you have to pass through in the school pick up and drop off times, travelling through this road is a nightmare. People are parking everywhere, hooting and not following the traffic rules and no common sense prevails whatsoever.

I strongly object to the school at this site due to all the above issues.

Disgraceful and islamaphobic

You have 1 faith based Islamic school and at a time where far right anti-Islamic sentiment is rife instead of continuing to be the “most diverse and inclusive” borough in London you choose to spit in the face of the Muslim population of Brent this is outrageous.

Not suitable to site a new school in Strathcona road

The area has three schools adjacent to this site already. Traffic is already gridlocked by these schools, residents will be blocked in as there is only one way in and out of this site.

Proposed change of location of Islamic primary school

I strongly oppose this change. I live very close to the area . Firstly no local residents have been informed of this , I got a leaflet drop today (04/11) telling me the consultation period is 28/09/22 to 19/11/22 & a consultation meeting will be held on 09/11/22. This is an event day area, Brent council ignored the residents on this issue so parking is an absolute nightmare in the area. This is a residential area with one bus route that is always delayed as you can only get one car on the roads due to heavy traffic and full capacity cars constantly parked . Most of the primary schools in the area old & new have been extended and are now undersubscribed . The proposed area is on an industrial estate not suitable for young children but we just cannot cope with the volume of current traffic or non availability of parking in this area. It’s madness that parents with young children have to travel from NW6 to South Kenton . Is there another agenda to close that school for developers to build flats to make lots of money . Not one local resident was aware of this proposal until recently . I object to this and hope Brent planners don’t approve it. I’ve also heard it’s a done deal . If this is the case it’s illegal without proper consultation.

Another school is not needed here – will undoubtedly cause more severe traffic.

This school has no link to this area and does not belong here. It will only serve to exacerbate the existing terrible traffic issues that residents like myself currently have to suffer during school drop-off and pick-up times on Carlton Avenue East and surrounding roads.

I have witnessed and taken photos of illegal parking, blocking of drives, driving on pavements etc. which were shared with the council. We have only just recovered from the ill-considered LTN schemes and now Brent Council is looking to foist this new silly proposal on long suffering local residents, which will actually increase traffic further! This will only lead to increased risks for residents, road users and pedestrians, including school children. Residents' considerations need to be first and foremost, as we will have to live with the consequences of yet another scheme serving outside interests.

There is already enough school provision in the area, and any further requirement should be met through existing schools and serve the entire community, rather than any specific group. Moreover, Strathcona Road is certainly not an appropriate location, and option 1 should be firmly rejected. Of the available options, I support option 2 – if this school continues, it should be somewhere closer to its current location, where the above issues do not exist and local links are already present.

Too many schools in close proximity

I do not agree with the proposal, there are already 2 other schools in close proximity to the location proposed. These are Byron court primary and Preston park primary. There are extreme challenges at present with parking and traffic and the introduction of another school, will add to what is already a huge problem. The increase in cars will add to traffic, pollution, noise in our area.

I would suggest an alternative location be found for the school.

I do hope this proposal is shared with the neighbourhood and proper consultation and feedback gathered before proceeding. I urge you to write to each household in the area and seek proper feedback before proceeding with what I would refer is a poor proposal with sub standard options.

Remove this school and other faith based schools

Ever since Brexit secular schools have less students than they have the capacity for. Faith based schools should be reduced as much as possible and those students integrated into the secular schools that now have space. It is important for children to experience as much diversity as possible from a young age.

We don't need another school

This area cannot cope with another school. Strathcona Road is very narrow and cannot cope with the traffic. The traffic during school times on Carlton Avenue East is terrible with people illegally parking, blocking drives, driving on pavements, numerous accidents have happened etc. It is dangerous.

When Roe Green Strathcona was closed, extra school places were allocated to surrounding schools. Most schools in the local area are not fully subscribed so we do not need yet another school in the area especially one where most kids will be needed to be dropped off by car.

Brent Council was intent on low traffic neighbourhoods and this proposal is any thing but low traffic.

Why was Roe Green Strathcona forced to close? why are all those reasons not valid anymore? Stop being so two faced Brent Council

I vote for Option 2. The options presented are terrible by the way. How can it be either close the school or relocate to where no one wants it! has brent council seriously considered alternatives???

Will Brent Council reopen the road that leads to East Lane instead of a private gate for a privileged few?

Relocate Islamia Primary School to Wembley

I think relocating the Islamia Primary School to Wembley is a great idea! Wembley is already a very multicultural area and the addition of this school will further encourage that multicultural tradition. We proudly have other faith schools such as Catholic and Jewish schools in our local areas and I think the addition of an Islamic school will reflect even more so the diversity we are so proud of.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

It’s really saddening that the Council, the Governing Body and the Foundation have all agreed on either moving 6 miles away or ceast to exist. No other options are given. How is this acceptable? The Council must and can do better!

 

 

Technical consultancy contract worth £383.5k awarded for Strathcona site's expansion to accommodate 2 forms of Islamia Primary School

Minesh Patel, Brent's Corporate Directot, Finance and Resources, today awarded the £383,554.18 technical consultancy contract to expand the Strathcona site to accommodate Islamia Primary School.

The full professional fees budget  is £0.9m out of a total budget for the project of £10m.

The Islamia Governing Board's consultation about the school's highly contested move from Queen's Park to Preston is still going on but the tendering process began in August 2022. 

The Officer's report states:

Islamia Primary School, currently based at Salusbury Road, has been served
notices to vacate by the Yusuf Islam Foundation, as owners of the site where
Islamia Primary School is currently based by July 2024. The Strathcona site is
a vacant site previously occupied by a primary school (the “Strathcona Site”)
following Cabinet approval in 2019 to close Roe Green Strathcona School by
July 2022 because of falling pupil numbers. The Strathcona Site has been
identified as having development opportunities to increase the site capacity
from a one-form entry primary school to a two-form entry primary school.

In September 2022, Cabinet approved the development of the Strathcona Site
to a two-form entry primary school in order to preserve the future of the Islamia
Primary School.

In order to deliver the required new two-form entry primary school, the Council
is proposing to appoint a contractor using a DfE’s Framework. This framework
promotes early contractor appointment (i.e. following RIBA 1) and so the
technical consultancy services organisation will need to provide the following
services throughout the commission to deliver the expanded school:

1. Employer’s Agent and Project Manager
2. Quantity Surveyor
3. Technical Design Advisor(s)
4. CDM Advisor

The report notes that the brief may have to be changed if the eventual decision is for a new build w form entry school  rather than expansion which is the Council's favoured option. Expansion means  refurbishment of the current block and con struction of a new block. Islamia Governing Board is pressing for the former.

The report notes:

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources & Reform has been consulted as part of the drafting of this report. They have also been kept up to date with progress on the project.

Queens Park and Preston Ward members will be kept appraised on project
milestones such as the planning application submission, statutory consultation and any works on site.

 

Public Meeting on the relocation of Islamia Primary School at Preston Park Primary, November 9th 7pm. Consultation extended to November 16th

A further public meeting on the controversial relocation of Islamia Primary School from Queens Park to the Strathcona site in Preston ward has been scheduled for Tuesday November 9th at Preston Park Primary School.

At the same time the consultation period has been extended to Wednesday November 16th.

 

Parents are being offered the stark choice of acceptance of the move or the closure of the school. 

 

Brent Council's 'Have Your Say' website gives further details on the options if the school moves. The Islamia Primary School Governing Board has said that a completely new building is the only option they support while the Council doubts that this could be completed by September 2024 when the school has to start on its new site.  The Council favour option D - refurbishment of the existing building and an additional new block on the site to accommodate a 2 form entry school:

 

Consultation on relocation of Islamia Primary School from September 2024

The Governing Board of Islamia Primary School (Salusbury Road, London, NW6 6PE) is proposing the relocation of the school from September 2024, to the site known as the Strathcona site, which is located on Strathcona Road, Wembley, HA9 8QW.

The Governing Board is seeking the views of interested parties through this informal consultation on:

Option 1: A proposal to relocate Islamia Primary School to the Strathcona Site as a 2-form entry school (60 places per year group)

Option 2: The school ceasing to exist from July 2024.

Brent Council has identified capital funding for Islamia Primary School to relocate to the Strathcona site. The current building on the site is a 1FE school with accommodation for 210 pupils. The building is in good condition, but on its own it is not big enough for the current pupils on roll at Islamia Primary School (420).

A feasibility study has identified 5 options to provide accommodation for the school on the Strathcona site.

Option A: A complete new build of a 2 FE school as a 2 storey building

Option B: A complete new build of a 2 FE school as a 3 storey buidling

Option C: Part demolition, part refurbishment of the existing building and a new build for required additional accommodation for a 2 FE school.

Option D: Refurbish existing buildings on the Strathcona site and build a new block to meet 2FE accommodation requirements.

Option E: Keep the current 1FE primary school and provide temporary bulge accommodation while cohorts reduce.

 The Consultation document is available HERE.

 

You  can make a comment on the Have Your Say website. You can register with the Council to make your comment or use a Facebook or Google account.

Schools Adjudicator finds Islamia Primary School admission criterion that favours children of alumni (parents who previously attended the school) is unlawful

The Office of the Schools Adjudicator oversees the fairness of the admissions procedures of schools. They become particularly important when schools are over-subscribed (have more applications for places than are available). For most primary schools in Brent the local authority is the admissions authority and sets the criteria. Faith schools are their own admissions authority, and this is the case for Islamia Primary School.

 

The Adjudicator in a Determination published on October 21st has considered a referral by 'A parent' claiming discrimination in criteria c and d of Islamia's criteria for admission when over-subscribed.

 

The adjudicator found that Criterion c (see below) was neither directly or indirectly race discriminatory, but that Criterion d (below) was indirectly discriminatory under Section 19 of the Equality Act 2010 and thus unlawful and will have to be removed or reviewed by the school.

 

“Over-subscription Criteria 

 

1. If Islamia Primary School receives fewer applications than the Published Admission Number, then all those applying will be offered places.

2. If Islamia Primary School receives more applications than the Published Admission Number, after children with an Education, Health Care Plan in which Islamia Primary School is named have been admitted, admissions will be dealt with by applying the following criteria in the order set out below:

a. Looked after children, previously looked after Muslim children and internationally adopted previously looked after Muslim children who meet the religious practice test.

b. Children of Muslim staff where the member of staff has been employed at Islamia Primary School (IPS) for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to Islamia Primary School (IPS) is made or the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a staff shortage.

c. Muslim children of at least one parent who has reverted [converted] to Islam (not born in the Islamic faith). Up to a maximum of 25% (15 children) of the published admissions number.

d. Muslim children of parents who are former pupils of the school (alumni) since it became a Voluntary Aided school (post May 1998). Up to a maximum of 10% (6 children) of the published admissions number.

e. Muslim children who have a sibling at Islamia Primary School (IPS) or a sibling who is due to be attending this school at the proposed date of admission of the applicant.

f. Other Muslim children who meet the religious practice test who do not have a sibling at Islamia Primary School (IPS) or a sibling who is due to be attending this school at the Proposed date of admission of the applicant.

g. Any other looked after children, previously looked after children or internationally adopted previously looked after children.

h. Any other children based upon distance from the school.” 

 

It is worth reading the Determination in full for detailed discussion about what constitutes discrimination and the interplay between race and religion. LINK  Of interest is the claim that converts are a vulnerable group because of the prejudice they encounter both from non-Muslims and Muslims.  The parent ('Referrer' in legalese) argued that in listing the Criterion on converts high in the priority list it discriminated against groups where both parents were 'born' Muslim and gave Somalis as an example). 

 

The Adjudicator writes:

 

The question here is whether there is an exact correspondence between, on the one hand, the overt reason why a pupil would not fall within the criterion, namely that they do not have a Muslim convert parent, and, on the other hand, their race (taken here to be Somali). 

 

I do not consider that there is an exact correspondence of the sort required. I appreciate that the Referrer has contended that at least the great majority (if not all) of Muslim Somalis will have parents who are born Muslim, as opposed to having a parent at least one of whom is a convert. However, first, the material before me does not indicate that that is invariably the position as a matter of fact: in paragraph 13 of the original Objection, the Referrer states rather that there are “virtually” none who convert; and in paragraph 5 of the same document, it is accepted that there may be a “handful” of converts in Somalia and only “probably” none in the UK. I have not overlooked the Referrer’s contention that no Somalis in the local area will have a convert parent, but that contention needs to be seen in light of the way that the position is described elsewhere. 

 

Secondly, even on the assumption that, as a matter of fact, no Somali child who might wish to attend the school would have a convert parent, that does not mean that there is the exact correspondence required for direct discrimination to occur. It is plainly possible, however seldom it may occur, for the parent of a Somali child to be a Muslim convert. Any Somali may have a child by a person not born Muslim, which person may be a Muslim convert. The overt criterion and the claimed race-based criterion are therefore dissociable. On that basis also, there is not exact correspondence. 

 

It follows that I do not consider that criterion c is directly race discriminatory. 

 

The Adjudicator quotes the school's justification for the criteria which reveals the influence of Yusuf Islam on the voluntary-aided (receives funding from the state) school:

 

“The Yusuf Islam Foundation which is the umbrella body of Islamia Primary School was founded by Yusuf Islam formerly known as Cat Stevens who reverted to Islam at the height of his music career. Despite being a celebrated and highly respected individual he is fully aware of the vulnerability of reverts as they face hardships and challenges not just from their heritage community but also unfortunately, from the Muslim community. 

 

Many studies have been carried out which show the negative impact on reverts when they become isolated and no longer have access to a support network. 

 

Furthermore, support for reverts has always been an important aspect of the admissions process at Islamia Primary School as it was and remains an aspect that is very close to the heart of the Yusuf Islam Foundation. It is nothing new. 

 

Reverts were considered a priority group with a specific number of points awarded to the applicant in this category. It was only when the point system was extensively reviewed and eventually terminated that the revert category was ‘lost’ in the process and has now been reinstated as part of the admission policy, as opposed to a measure of practice in the supplementary information form. 

 

Just as the Admissions Code sets out to protect and positively discriminate in favour of vulnerable members of society such as for example Looked after Children, in the same vein the Admissions Authority has long been aware of the vulnerability of reverts and their children and seeks to support them. Unquestionably, the Admissions Authority aims to follow the Code to the letter but also has an obligation to the Yusuf Islam Foundation. 

The reasoning is that by attending Islamia Primary School the pupils who obtain a place through this criterion will be able, with their family to build up a strong network of friends and overall support”. 

 

 Regarding Criterion d the Adjudicator writes:

 

I sympathise with the school’s wish to engender a school community which is supportive and understanding of some of the difficulties it faces, and I am prepared to find that this aim or these aims are legitimate. However, I do not consider that they are strong enough reasons to justify the race-based disadvantage I have identified above to which Criterion d gives rise. 

 

I do not find that the children of alumni have any particular vulnerability such as that of the children of converts. If anything, the children of people settled in England for longer are more likely to have a more stable social and economic position than those of more recently settled groups. The criterion provides for a maximum of ten per cent of the PAN, six pupils, to be selected. Those 6 pupils will ‘displace’ six other pupils into a lower criterion who will tend to come from more recently settled racial groups who are more likely to be vulnerable. 

 

I find that Criterion d is indirectly discriminatory under section 19 of the EqA2010.

I note that the Referrer alleges that the school’s motivation for giving priority to the children of alumni is that such parents are more likely to make financial contributions to the school. I do not find that this is the case. I accept the school’s assurance on this point.

In light of the finding of indirect discrimination, oversubscription Criterion d is unlawful and will need to be removed or revised to become lawful. It is not necessary therefore for me to consider the other issues raised by the Referrer in relation to Criterion d. 

 

The Adjudicator discusses the relative priority of the Criteria but concludes that this is something the Admissions Authority can decide:

 

I accept that there are good reasons for giving siblings a high priority. It is difficult for parents to manage two or more primary aged children who do not go to the same school. Families move and may live further from a particular school when a sibling reaches an age to apply for a place. But that does not mean it is unlawful for the school to afford greater priority under the convert criterion than under the sibling criterion. There is no clearly “right or wrong” order in that respect. As is stated in paragraph 1.10 of the Code “It is for admission authorities to decide which criteria would be most suitable to the school according to the local circumstances”. In this case I have found that Muslim children who meet the convert condition are a vulnerable group in the school’s local area worthy of particular priority.

 

 

 

 

Cllr Kennelly urges residents to attend Islamia Primary School's Preston Park consultation at Preston Park Primary School, 6pm on Monday 17th October

In a series of tweets this afternoon Cllr Daniel Kennelly makes it clear that he is unhappy about the way Islamia Primary School is running the consultation in Preston Park:

I am writing to alert you to a consultation currently being conducted by Islamia Primary School. They are being evicted from their premises in Queen's Park by the Yusuf Islam Foundation. The local authority has a statutory duty to provide an alternative site for the school.

 

Therefore the school are consulting residents in both Preston Park and Queen's Park about relocating the school to the vacant school site on Strathcona Road in Preston Park. This site was formerly occupied by Roe Green [Strathcona] school.

 

To date the school has failed to provide consultation materials to residents in Preston Park. Therefore I am notifying all residents in the area about this ongoing consultation and upcoming residents’ meeting on Monday 17th October.

 

Residents will be given the opportunity to speak with councillors, Council staff and members of the school to express views on the potential move. This meeting will take place at Preston Park Primary School from 6pm. The consultation will close on 2nd November.

 

I apologise for the late notice. The school are in charge of running this consultation and have failed to properly communicate or provide adequate literature to residents.

Please do attend this meeting if possible. I will provide further information when I receive it.

Yusuf Islam breaks silence on Islamia Primary School move and appeals to parents to be grateful. Salusbury Road site to be developed for high school improvements.

 In a letter to parents Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) appeals to parents concerned about Islamia's move to a site in Wembley and reminds them of his personal contribution to the founding of the school. He states that 'gratitude is considered part of good Muslim character'.

The letter appears to indicate that the redevelopment of the Salusbury Road site is for educational use and the improvement of Islamia high school facilities.  Unlike Islamia Primary School. Islamia Girls School and Brondesbury College are fee paying schools, currently £7,500 per annum LINK.

Yusuf Islam does not respond to any of the parents' specific concerns over the new site including travel difficulties and the potential inability of current less well-off parents to to deliver and collect their children from the site on a daily basis.

He claims that Brent Council has agreed to contribute 'upwards of £10m' for facilities at the new site.

 

 

REVEALED: Restrictive Covenant on Islamia Primary School land

 Many thanks to Philip Grant for his assitance with this article.

 

The 'elephant in the room' on the proposed move of Islamia Primary School after eviction by the Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) Foundation has been the Foundation's plans for the site - they they merely said they want to develop it.

 

Wembley Matters has purchased a copy of the Land Registry entry for 129 Salusbury Road, the current site of Islamia Primary School. 

 

The following are details of the covenants contained in the  Conveyance dated 12November 1908 referred to in the Charges Register.  They appear to restrict any future development of the site, land and buildings, by the Yusuf Islam Foundation to educational use through schools. The only way that could be changed is by the owner applying to the Court (in this case The Lands Chamber of the Upper Tribunal) to have that restrictive covenant removed from the land.

 

The Purchasers do hereby covenant with the Commissioners to perform and observe the several conditions and stipulations set forth in the first schedule hereto. 

 

THE FIRST SCHEDULE above referred to 

 

That neither the land hereby conveyed nor any building or buildings now or at any future time erected thereon nor any part or parts thereof shall be used for any purposes whatsoever other than purposes authorised by the Elementary Education Act 1870 and the Education Act 1902 and the Acts extending and amending the same respectively [and that no building shall without the previous consent of the Commissioners in writing under the hand of their secretary be at any time erected on any part of the land coloured blue on the said plan].' 

 

This is what is known as a "restrictive covenant", so that the "burden" of the covenant relates to the land itself, and not to the owner of the land. 

 

For this to have effect,

 

'The original parties to the covenant must have intended that the burden of the covenant would remain with, and pass with the land every time the ownership changed.'

 

That quotation comes from a useful summary of the legal position  HERE. 

 

This seems to be clear evidence that the original parties to the covenant, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England ("Church Commissioners") and the County Council of The Administrative County of Middlesex (Middlesex C.C.), did intend that the land at 129 Salusbury Road, and any buildings on that land, should always be used for educational purposes as a school.

 

You can find much of the story of the Salusbury Road school site in Part 5 of Irina Porter's "Uncovering Kilburn's History' on Wembley Matters HERE. 

 

Philip Grant has contributed some further  historical background:

 

It appears that the Church Commissioners had bought the land in 1877. This may well have been for possible use for a school, as the Church of England was afraid that "Board Schools" set up under the 1870 Education Act would not teach religion. In fact, it was not until the end of the century that a school building was erected on the land for Kilburn Grammar School, a secondary school which had been founded by the Vicar of St Paul's Church, Kilburn, in 1897.

 

The Church Commissioners continued to own the land until 1908, when it was purchased by Middlesex C.C., after they and Willesden Urban District Council had jointly taken over the running of Kilburn Grammar School the previous year. Middlesex C.C. was abolished in 1965, at the same time that Willesden and Wembley Councils merged to form the London Borough of Brent. 

 

Brent Council then owned the land, and the school became the "comprehensive" Kilburn Senior High School in 1967, then merged with the girls school in 1973 to become Brondesbury and Kilburn High School. This ceased to exist when Brent had another reorganisation of its secondary schools in 1989, and Brent then sold the land and buildings. But they were sold to the then version of Yusuf Islam's charity, specifically to be used as a school, or schools, in line with the restrictive covenant.