Staff at Copland Community School in Wembley will tomorrow hold their third day of strike action against an attempt by Michael Gove and an imposed Interim Executive Board (IEB) to force the school to become an academy. Despite Cllr Michael Pavey, Lead member for Education in Brent, saying 'it is not a done deal' so far there had been no other option but ARK.
Staff will hold a rally outside The Torch pub at 10am in Bridge Rd, Wembley against ARK forcibly taking over their school.
Hank Roberts, ATL Secretary and
Immediate Past President said:
Stanley Fink, a leading ARK trustee, is the National Treasurer of the Conservative party and a friend of Michael Gove. He supports Gove's and the Conservatives policy, as revealed in the Independent, of handing over state schools to be run for profit. They're not in it for charitable giving. If they want to give Copland money we'd welcome it. Long term they're for taking money out of the system to add to the many millions they already have.
Tom Stone, NASUWT Acting
Secretary said:
If Brent would only go and get the money the ex headteacher spirited away, the whole scenario of becoming an academy would disappear and Copland school would be a flourishing and effective school.
Lesley Gouldbourne, Joint NUT Secretary
said,:
A recent leadership review of Copland carried out in October 2013 showed many improvements in teaching and learning and more robust financial management. Give the school time to continue this good work.
