Guest blog by 'Localist'
Several hundred people attended
the London Education Conference at the Institute of Education on Saturday which
discussed how to build on the success of the London Challenge and to further
raise standards of education in London.
Those present included authors,
educational psychologists, headteachers, journalists, lecturers, members of the
London Assembly, school governors and teachers. Also present were councillors
including Leaders of London councils and Leaders of Children’s Services in
London councils.
Not present were either Muhammad
Butt (Leader of Brent Council) or Michael Pavey (Lead Member for Children's Services
in Brent). One possible reason for their absence was the presence at the
Conference of someone whose recent principled and bold actions would have put
their own feebleness to shame. For also in attendance was John White, Leader of
Children's Services in Barking and Dagenham, who 3 weeks ago helped to
challenge Michael Gove’s forced academisation policy in the High Court and was
granted an injunction by Mr Justice Collins.
An opportunity missed for Mr
Pavey and Mr Butt as John White could
have given them all sorts of helpful tips on how to keep local education local
rather than follow the Brent Council way which seems to be, ask people to vote
for you in local elections and then, when elected, helpfully implement the
policies of the party those same voters clearly rejected in the national
election. Meanwhile at Copland, the IEB won’t allow a secret ballot on
academisation, A level students have slipped behind because courses weren’t
adequately staffed and their retired ex-teacher is not allowed on the premises
to voluntarily help them catch up.
