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| Kiri Tunks, Joint National President of the NEU, addresses the protesters |
From Brent National Education Union
The
fight to save Strathcona School, Wembley, intensified On Wednesday. Staff, parents
and children in greater numbers than last time, joined union colleagues on the
steps inside Brent Civic Centre. While they sang their song and waved
their placards, leaflets were handed out to those working in the centre and to
the public. They were very well received and made an impact.
Siluan
Buliga, a Year 5 pupil who was there with his mother Oana, said:
I learnt to speak English with the help of
the teachers. Without the school we won't have knowledge as school is
education. I am really sad.
His mother Oana added:
The school is like a family. From the cooks
to the teachers, all the staff work together. The school has been a great
support and the children have done very well. I want to choose Strathcona for
my next child who will be coming into Reception but Brent won't let me.
Another
parent Vasantiben Kerai agreed the school has been very supportive and has made
a great effort to support her two boys:
Another son is in High School and is in the top set because of the
education he got at Strathcona.
Noreen
Ahmed has had children at the school since it opened. She said:
My son has become more confident and opened
up since going to Strathcona. They support the whole family as they did when I
had health problems. They are like a family.
Brent
Council intends to close the Roe Green Strathcona school site despite the fact
that it is a very popular and successful school site. The Year 6 students
achieved progress in the top 3% of schools in England in their SATs results
this week. Cllr Muhammed Butt complimented the striking staff and parents on
being very well behaved and making a colourful scene with their flags and
placards. But staff say listen to our suggestions that will enable to school to
stay open.
Kiri
Tunks, Joint National President of NEU addressed the group praising them for
their brave actions in speaking out against their school being closed. The
protesters were also addressed by NEU London Executive members Stefan Simms and
Hank Roberts, and representatives of Brent Trades Council.
Lesley
Gouldbourne, Brent NEU Secretary said
The Strathcona staff have shown great dignity and unity in their fight
to keep their fantastic unit open. Shame on Brent Council for not listening to them.
Mary
Adossides, Chair Brent Trades Council said:
Brent Trades Council send a message of sport and solidarity to the
striking staff of Roe Green Strathcona. Their fight in defence of education and
jobs is a remarkable test of their determination to ensure the best for the
children of Brent. May they win!
Cllr
Jumbo Chan who sent solidarity greeting to the strikers said:
I fully support the brave staff, parents and
other members of the Roe Green Strathcona community as they continue their
extraordinary strike campaign to save their school from closure.
Rather than following the agenda of
closure and privatisation set by the Conservative government, our Labour Brent
Council should listen to these people who have shown so much dedication to
public education, and support them to seek a new alternative.
Brent Council
says that there are not enough students going there now that student numbers
are dropping across the borough - but of course smaller schools and smaller classes
are the best environment for Brent’s children (and after all its good enough
for Eton!). And the school has submitted proposals to boost numbers by
providing much needed places for SEND students.
An
informal consultation received a massive
463 responses with all but 3 against (99.4%) - but Brent have ignored this
and moved to a Formal consultation. Parents and staff say please join us and SAY NO to this consultation too.
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