London schools targeted for improvement
The Prime Minister and the Education Secretary today launched a programme of “radical reform” to improve failing schools in London.
The ‘London First’ scheme will focus on the five boroughs with many of the worst-performing schools, and will seek to build a strong relationship with them.
Charles Clarke said: “There is already much to be proud of in London’s schools, and there have been significant improvements in recent years. But we need to do much more.”
He noted that in some boroughs up to 40% of parents opt out of local schools by going private or travelling large distances with their children.
In the five boroughs – Islington, Hackney, Lambeth, Southwark and Haringey – schools will receive a tailor-made improvement plan, setting a clear deadline for turning the school around or facing closure.
The DfES also plans to attract high quality staff through a new housing scheme with mortgage assistance, as well as bringing in the best new graduates.
The scheme further seeks to give parents more choice in the school to which they send their children by building at least 20 new secondary schools by 2006, as well creating nearly 300 specialist schools.
There will also be a website giving parents information on schools in their area.
However, the Secondary Heads Association is sceptical about the plans, claiming that the drive for diversity – as represented by new specialist schools – could “cause immense upheaval and create a steeper hierarchy of schools” in the capital.
The SHA has always argued for diversity within schools to give every child access to a range of opportunities, rather than diversity between schools, which it claims creates unnecessary competition and unfair comparisons.
John Dunford the SHA’s general secretary also highlighted the need for a ” better programme of support for the schools facing the most difficult circumstances” rather than sacking headteachers as has been suggested by the DfES.
