ISSN 095 1-8657. Published by Aurora Ltd. PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU. © 1996. All rishts reserved. Printed by Eastway Offset. AN ACT OF political thuggery is about to be carried out against the people of Tottenham in North London On Way 9 the government announced that it is "minded to transfer control of Langham Secondary School to an education association on the grounds that it is a failing school A final decision is likely in June. If the government goes ahead with the decision it will become the second school in the country, alter Hackney Downs. to be taken over by an education association.
The implications locally are immense.
Control of the school and all its assets will pass from the governing body to a hit squad of businessmen and academics chosen by the government. At the same time f800 MO will he removed from Har_ ingey Council's education budget. Cuts will almost inevitably tollow.
The story began in 1994 when the school was declared to be "failing" following an inspection by the Office of Standards in Education - This required the school to draw up and implement an action plan to improve the school.
Since then everything the government might have hoped for has occurred. The existing headteacher was sacked, new management brought in and action taken to "improve" curriculum delivery in a way likely to appeal to inspectors.
The government's decision to take over the school has nothing to do with improving educational standards. Follow-up inspections of the school have noted improvements and the implementation of the action plan still has a year to run.
Nationally one-hundred-and-forty schools have been designated as failing, yet none have been taken over by an education association.
Nor can the government claim a local popular mandate. Last month, parents from a neighbouring school voted overwhelmingly against going grantmaintained. If the education association take over local people will have no say.
The announcement was an attempt to try to divert attention from the Westminster scandal. There was no regard for the interests of the pupils.
The press knew of the decision before the school and the council were told. Students leaving the school on May 9 were greeted by the press telling them their school would soon close—a great boost for those going away to revise for their exams!
A local campaign has been launched by the school to stop the hit squad taking over. The local MP Bernie Grant has given his support. A petition has been drawn up and a letter-writing campaign to Gillian Shepherd begun. Large public meetings supporting the camnaion have heen held. • Demonstrate against the closure of Langham School. • Saturday June 8, Assemble | lam, Bury Road, Wood Green, N22.