GMB Public Meeting To Discuss Plans For Local Redbridge Schools To Become Academies
Wednesday 1 September
GMB Public Meeting To Discuss Plans For Local Redbridge
Schools To Become Academies
Meeting will take place on Wednesday 15th September, 7pm
- 8.30pm, to discuss academies lack of accountability, democratic
transparency, staff pay, conditions of service and
pensions
GMB, the school workers Union is planning a further public
meeting to discuss plans by local Redbridge schools to become
academies. This follows the highly successful meeting held by GMB
in August to highlight the impact of the government’s plans to
allow Redbridge Schools to move over to Academy status.
The details of the GMB meeting are as follows:
7PM TO 8.30PM
WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER
THE
METHODISTCHURCH
THE DRIVE
(CORNER OF EASTERN AVENUE)
IG1 3PP
This is part of a series of public meetings the GMB is holding
throughout London and the rest of the UK so that parents who use
the education system can fully discuss their hopes and fears for
the future of their children’s education and the full impact of a
move to academies.
GMB is seeking assurances from all the head teachers from all
the schools seeking academy status (see note 2 to editors below)
that the existing pay conditions and pensions of GMB members who
work as teaching assistants, caretakers, cleaners, lunchtime
supervisors, school secretaries, laboratory assistants and in many
other support roles, will be remain unchanged. GMB members have a
statutory entitlement that their pay and conditions are protected
under TUPE legislation (see note 1 below).
GMB have other concerns linked to academy status as revelations
about the lack of accountability and transparence with existing
academies have come to light regarding the school governors and
head teachers’ unaccountable control of finances and pay. The
exclusion of academies from the 'Freedom of Information' laws has
been shown too led to unacceptable decisions by academy governing
bodies under the cloak of secretary the exclusion bestows.
Sandra Vincent, GMB Organiser said, "There is clearly a
demand for more information from families whose children will be
affected by the Tory/Lib Governments plan to move their schools
over to academy status. 32 schools became academies today and there
are others in the pipeline including schools in
Redbridge.
GMB members who work as support staff in Redbridge’s
schools told us that Redbridge families are worried and they are
right to be worried. GMB is determined to get more information for
them.
I urge everyone who has a stake in keeping Redbridge’s
school accountable to the local residents and those who use the
education service come along to the meeting and hear from the GMB
members who work in the schools about the possible impact of this
proposal to move to a system of secrecy about their schools
finances and its inner workings.”
End
Contact: Sandra Vincent, GMB Organiser on 07961
96567 or GMB Press Office: Rose Conroy on 07974 258123 or 020 8947
3131.
Notes to Editors:
1 TUPE -
The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations
(TUPE) protects employees' terms and conditions of employment when
a business is transferred from one owner to another. Employees of
the previous owner when the business changes hands automatically
become employees of the new employer on the same terms and
conditions. It's as if their employment contracts had originally
been made with the new employer. Their continuity of service and
any other rights are all preserved. Both old and new employers are
required to inform and consult employees affected directly or
indirectly by the transfer.
2
Outstanding London Schools: Applications to Convert to Academy
Status as of 23 July 2010
|
|
Name of School
|
Name of LA
|
Phase
|
|
1
|
Ashmole School, Cecil Road, Southgate, London N14 5RJ
|
Barnet
|
Secondary
|
|
2
|
East Barnet School, Chestnut Grove, East Barnet, Herts EN4
8PU
|
Barnet
|
Secondary
|
|
3
|
Queen Elizabeth's School, Queen's Road, Barnet, Herts EN5
4DQ
|
Barnet
|
Secondary
|
|
4
|
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School, Nether Street North
Finchley, London N12 7NJ
|
Barnet
|
Secondary
|
|
5
|
The Compton School, Summers Lane, London N12 0QG
|
Barnet
|
Secondary
|
|
6
|
The Ravenscroft School - A Technology College, Barnet Lane,
London N20 8AZ
|
Barnet
|
Secondary
|
|
7
|
Queen's Park Lower School, Chestnut Avenue, Queens Park, Bedford
MK40 4HA
|
Bedford
|
Primary
|
|
8
|
Sharnbrook Upper School, Odell Road, Sharnbrook, Bedford, Beds
MK44 1JL. In federation with:
· Lincroft
Middle School (Station Road, Oakley, Bedford MK43 7RE)
· Harrold Priory
Middle School (The Green, Harrold, Bedford MK43 7DE)
· Margaret
Beaufort Middle School (High Street, Riseley, Bedford MK44 1DR)
|
Bedford
|
Secondary
|
|
9
|
Cuckoo Hall Primary School, Cuckoo Hall Lane, London N9 8DR
|
Enfield
|
Primary
|
|
10
|
Kingsmead School, Southbury Road, Enfield, Middx EN1 1YQ
|
Enfield
|
Secondary
|
|
11
|
Guru Nanak Sikh Voluntary Aided Secondary School, Springfield
Road, Hayes, Middlesex UB4 0LT
|
Hillingdon
|
Secondary
|
|
12
|
Lampton School, Lampton Avenue, Hounslow TW3 4EP
|
Hounslow
|
Secondary
|
|
13
|
The Chadwell Heath Foundation School, Christie Gardens, Romford,
RM6 4RS
|
Redbridge
|
Secondary
|
|
14
|
Valentines High School, Cranbrook Road, Ilford Essex IG2 6HX
|
Redbridge
|
Secondary
|
|
15
|
Highams Park School, Handsworth Avenue, London E4 9PJ
|
Waltham Forest
|
Secondary
|
|
16
|
Hillyfield Primary School, Higham Hill Road, London E17 6ED
|
Waltham Forest
|
Primary
|
|
17
|
Roger Ascham Primary School, Wigton Road, London E17 5HU
|
Waltham Forest
|
Primary
|
|
18
|
Yardley Primary School, Hawkwood Crescent London E4 7PH
|
Waltham Forest
|
Primary
|