Schools probe head Sir Mike Tomlinson: ‘It’s not party political’

Published:26th May, 2011
by RICHARD OSLEY

THE head of a new panel set up to investigate what lies ahead for Camden’s schools has insisted his probe will not be allowed to turn into a tool to knock government education policy.

Sir Mike Tomlinson, a former teacher and schools inspector, told the New Journal: “I won’t let it get party political.”

The Education Commission was kick-started at a launch event at Acland Burghley School in Tufnell Park on Thursday night as teachers, governors, parents and councillors – and a few pupils – discussed what they want the panel to achieve with their evidence-taking.

It will work independently from the council, although there have been grumbles from opposition councillors that one of Sir Mike’s colleagues, Geethika Jayatilaka, once sat on the Labour benches at the Town Hall.

Some Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors have adopted a wait and see policy but are concerned the sessions will only concentrate on government cuts to Building Schools for the Future investment and sixth former allowances.

Asked how he would judge the Commission’s success or failure, Sir Mike said: “I’m not even thinking of failure. Success for me is that we meet our moral obligation for all children to have a good school open to them, however schools are to be set up.

“That’s what we want to work towards and part of that will be us looking at what the local authority’s relationships with schools is going to be. Parents, teachers, governors should be able to have a say on that – and you can see from ideas discussed at this launch that people aren’t just talking about cuts and what the government is doing.”

Everybody with a connection to Camden’s education system and who wants to have their say to the new Commission has been invited to get in touch. Suggested issues from Thursday’s launch meeting likely to be investigated included the “transition” period for students moving into higher education and demand for school places. The wisdom of setting up government free schools will also be up for debate.

Riya Jaman, 15, acting head of Acland Burghley’s school council, said: “My school is great, and bringing in experts who will ask our opinion about things is a good opportunity. It’s useful to look at how Camden schools can help us achieve more and we’re the experts on our schools. 

“I think what happens outside school is also really important. There should be extra help for those people who aren't doing so well.”

The Commission is expected to run for six months with the full findings released in the autumn.

Professor Geoff Whitty, a former director at the Institute of Education, is the third panellist.

New education chief at the Town Hall, Councillor Larraine Revah, said: “Like many other areas of the public sector, Camden’s education system is going through a time of radical change. Camden Council wants to work closely with Camden’s family of schools, maintaining a positive relationship to best benefit Camden’s young people.”