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Warning to city academy ‘bullies’


Cllr Lucy Anderson
LABOUR Party members have warned the government against rolling out its controversial city academy programme in Camden, insisting they will not be bullied into any form of privatisation of the borough’s schools.
Senior figures in Camden’s Labour ranks fear a new academy in the south of the borough could be sponsored by University College London (UCL) in Bloomsbury.
Briefing notes obtained by the Guardian newspaper suggest that discreet talks with the government have already taken place. They show UCL is interested in providing a “small financial contribution” for a stake in a new school, even if it does not have the capacity for a full academy sponsorship, the newspaper claimed on Monday.
The university confirmed its interest yesterday (Wednesday). A statement said: “UCL would be interested in getting involved in anything that raises aspirations and can be seen as supporting its local community.
“It seems common sense for universities to play a lead role in any such activity, and we would be interested in exploring the possibilities for doing so. This is on no level about making a profit, although we would expect to cover any costs we incur should we become involved.”
Labour’s education chief Councillor Lucy Anderson said Camden would not be bullied by the government into accepting a city academy.
She said: “I would welcome discussion with UCL about working in partnership to help schools in Camden. But the starting point for any discussion must not be the city academy model because it removes control over schools, their buildings and policies from local people.
“We want capital investment in either a new school or our existing schools. The government should give us that without bullying us into taking on a city academy.”
Cllr Anderson added: “Parents might be happy with a city academy if they think that’s all they can get but we mustn’t be bullied. We are being told we can’t have investment unless we privatise.”
Parents living south of Euston Road have petitioned the Town Hall over a new school.
Other political parties in Camden have given the city academy option only cautious support.
Liberal Democrat councillor John Bryant said: “UCL would certainly be a more acceptable sponsor than some of the others who have gained control of schools elsewhere, but it seems UCL’s commitment to a new school is quite limited and as such other sponsors would be necessary.
“Nevertheless, this could be an ideal way of advancing the cause of a new secondary school south of Euston Road.”
Conservative education spokeswoman Councillor Sheila Gunn added: “Clearly, we would want to study UCL’s plans for a city academy before giving our wholehearted support. But, in principle, we support the case for a new secondary school.”
 



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