| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Fiona Millar Patronises Acton Residents | |
| Posted by: | Iain Muir | |
| Date/Time: | 10/12/09 00:16:00 |
| Interesting points from Colin and Jeremy. I thought Fiona exposed the main weakness of Toby’s idea in that parent sponsored niche schools might meet individual needs but at the expense of the majority, who just want a good local school without the pretence of choice. Fiona and Toby have previous form on this, they debated the issue on Sky on 15/11 and subsequently on Alistair Campbell’s Blog See: http://www.alastaircampbell.org/blog.php?id=258 Fiona also wrote a rebuttal to Toby’s Observer piece on 29/11 see: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/nov/29/parent-promoted-schools Toby’s original idea of a ‘Comprehensive Grammar’ (contradiction in terms) has morphed into a Parent Sponsored Academy and he hopes to get Building for Schools funding, if not under Labour then under a presumed Tory administration. Fiona thinks funding unlikely either way. If an Academy some of Toby’s more dubious Grammar ideas will be toned down. Academy’s carry their own controversy but are Labour policy. Toby thinks that population growth means that extra secondary places are needed in Ealing. Funnily enough so do our council, hence their plans for rebuilding most schools using BFS funding , upgrading two more and a new Academy in Greenford. How does Toby’s idea for an additional school in Acton fit in with the stats? Would it also impact on the new Academy planned close by off the Goldhawk Rd by LBH&F? As to the potential effect on AHS and other schools the Tory’s believe in the pupil market with the weak going to the wall. Fiona quoted Michael Grove in AC’s blog” Or to quote Michael Gove last week 'parents will have the power to take their child out of a state school, apply to a new Academy, and automatically transfer the 'per pupil' funding from the old school to the new Academy. Good schools will grow, bad schools will change and the poorest will benefit most'....apart from those left in the old schools of course.” Toby has obvious energy, enthusiasm and a commitment to improving education as well as great connections. If only he was using this for his local comprehensive, rather than a faux Grammar |