Tories 'deliver' North Westminster Free School to Education Secretary, Michael Gove - Dismal uptake on education plan

Published: 10 September 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

EDUCATION bosses have been accused of stepping in to spare Michael Gove’s blushes over the dismal uptake of his free schools plan after it emerged the council lobbied an education charity to set up a school in Westminster.

The proposal to create the North Westminster Free School, which will be run by education charity ARK, was one of just 16 to be approved by the education secretary on Monday.

Teaching unions and MP Karen Buck are demanding to know why the school is being classed as a free school, when ARK already sponsors academies across London, including the King Solomon Academy in Lisson Grove.

They say the move smacks of “politicking and sloganism”, claiming the council’s education department has been pressurised into boosting the number of free schools and saving Mr Gove from further embarrassment.

The council has also been criticised for turning to ARK to fix Westminster’s acute primary school place shortage – a move opposition leaders say amounts to abdicating responsibility for its own failures.

Ms Buck, Labour MP for Westminster North, said: “I have no objection to another primary school. 

“We desperately need one. But what I think is incredible is that they are calling it a free school when it is essentially an academy. 

“We were told free schools were about parents approaching the authorities. This is the other way round, and I think it’s no coincidence that both Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham are on the list. Both are flagship Tory boroughs and both are about to share an education department.”

Under the free schools scheme parents, teachers, charities and businesses have the option to propose their own school. 

They are funded by the government but operate outside traditional local authority control, with the freedom to set their own curriculum and admissions policy.

The council was forced to build temporary classrooms at three schools when it misjudged surging demand that meant more than 100 children were left without a primary school place this year.

Jeff Bates, head of Westminster branch of the National Union of Teachers said: “This is a very worrying development. 

“Why do we need a free school? What’s wrong with a community school? 

“I have a lot of reservations about this, especially as Westminster approached them [ARK]. 

“That’s not the way it’s supposed to work. This is about shipping out education. The council don’t want anything to do with it any more. I don’t believe there is demand for this sort of school, but I wouldn’t be surprised if more are on the way.”

The location of the school is yet to be finalised, but it plans to open two reception classes to 60 pupils next September.

ARK – which has its headquarters in Holborn – says it will operate a “non-selective, non-denominational” admissions policy, meaning the school would not threaten the mix of children in nearby schools.

Sophy Blakeway, director of primary education for ARK, who will be headteacher at the school, said: “We are looking at a number of different locations. We are delighted that we have been able to do this. It’s good news for parents because there is a big need for primary school places in the area.”

Councillor Nickie Aiken, Westminster Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “We are proud of the fact that the government has agreed to a new free school in Westminster and it’s a shame that these proposals are being criticised before they’ve even got off the ground and the details worked out.

“The facts of the matter are that a new ARK-run primary school will serve the increasing number of parents who want high-quality places in a part of Westminster where there is an increasing shortage of reception vacancies.

“By helping to establish this school we are directly responding to the demands of many parents and families who want greater choice when choosing a primary school for their children.”