School plans 'rob parents of power'

29 July 2009

Green Party councillors have formally objected to two "anti-democratic" plans for local schools, and called instead for an elite private school to opt into the state sector.

The first plan would give the head of private fee-paying school Colfe's a place on the board of Catford High. The elite school could also appoint further governors to the state school's board, giving it considerable power over how Catford High is run and potentially cutting parent governors' influence.

A few top-performing Catford High students could be offered sixth-form bursaries to the elite school - but no guarantees are given.

The second plan would create one governing body for Addey & Stanhope, Crossways and Deptford Green schools, dominated by Goldsmiths university, which could appoint a majority of governors, again reducing staff and parent power in decision-making.

Each proposal includes plans for parents' councils, which would be 'consulted' but have no formal power.

On the Catford High plan, Lewisham Green Group leader Cllr Darren Johnson said:

"If fee-paying Colfe's is keen to play a full part in Lewisham's family of schools, it could volunteer to opt in to the state sector and become a local authority-run comprehensive school.

"Instead the council's plans would help a £4000-a-term school keep its charitable status with a vague offer of possible bursaries to a few of Catford High's brightest. It would get a potentially dominant say over how Catford High is run, at the expense of parent power.

"We believe in fostering links, sharing expertise and encouraging co-operation between Lewisham's educational institutions, but this can be done without robbing power from parents and handing it to the private sector."

On the plans for a Goldsmiths federation, Green Party councillor Romayne Phoenix said:

"Goldsmiths is a great institution, but these plans would give it a controlling role in running three of our schools, fobbing parents off with a talking shop instead of proper decision-making power. Secondary schools can and do form supportive networks without such an anti-democratic shake-up.

"If performance at these schools needs a boost, the place for attention and investment is early years education and links between primary and secondary. A flying start in education is the best way to ensure pupils achieve the best they can when they reach secondary school."

Public consultations on both proposals have recently closed.

Notes

The Green Party Group's official submissions to the consultations can be found here.

Lewisham Green Party RSS Feed