From the Brent National Education Union
The NEU
members of The Village school in Brent took their protest to the steps inside
Brent Civic Centre again today. As about
forty staff, on strike for the second day this week against the proposed
academy trust, moved onto the steps with their banners, frantic security staff rushed over. One tried to prevent a banner
proclaiming NEU staff say no academy at
Village school being unrolled. The campaigners calmly continued, holding up
placards and flags, and singing their protest songs.
Yesterday,
after their morning picket, they were seen writing letters on the very same
steps without complaint. When the police
finally arrived today, the Civic Centre having been regaled with a variety of songs and chants and becoming the centre of
attention, the protest was packing away. The security staff called the
protesters ‘disruptive’. However, the police saw no breach of the peace and
were very sympathetic to the strikers, understanding that privatisation was
affecting all public services.
We have been
reliably informed that the responses to
the consultation were OVERWHELMINGLY
against the proposal (including more than 95% of TVS staff). This further
crushing blow to those backing the scheme comes after Muhammed Butt, Leader of
Brent Council declared public opposition of both himself and the Labour Cabinet
to handing over this valuable Council asset (the new school cost £29 million)
lock, stock and barrel to the privateers.
The
Governors meet next Wednesday 28th to make the decision, but papers
sent to Governors clearly recommend agreement to become a Multi Academy Trust.
Such is the assumption this will go ahead, the next item on the agenda is a
discussion of the Articles of Association and even the suggested name for the
MAT. NEU staff are determined to keep up
the fight to save their school from being privatised. They will be on
strike tomorrow (22nd) and next week on 27th and 28th
as well as turning up at the Governors meeting.
