| CHANGES TO MERTON'S SCHOOLS |
 |
 |
|
April 2005 An influential committee of MPs recently reported that the estimated £5bn funding for the Government's academy schools should be withheld until they were shown to be cost-effective. Following the report, Jo Christie-Smith, Liberal Democrat spokeswoman for Mitcham & Morden, has been campaigning against plans to create two city academies in the constituency. Both Tamworth Manor & Mitcham Vale schools have been earmarked to be converted to academies with the support of Merton Council and Siobhain McDonagh, MP for Mitcham & Morden. Two school governors have resigned over the affair. In a statement issued when the plan was first introduced, Labour leader of Merton Council, Cllr Andrew Judge, said: "After close consideration of all the options, we believe the development of academies would be right for Mitcham Vale and Tamworth Manor" (as reported in the Wimbledon Post (14/04/05)). Jo Christie-Smith is co-ordinating a campaign calling on Merton Council to hold back from changing the status of our schools until the effectiveness of academies has been proved. Jo says, "The academy programme has been rushed through by the Prime Minister apparently without consultation, research or even an evaluation process - it appears to be based on blind faith. I’d like to ask all residents sign our petition, asking Cllr Judge to explain why he believes that academies are the way forward given the report of the Commons' Education and Skills Committee. We shouldn’t risk the education of children in Mitcham & Morden unless we can be sure of the benefits of these proposals." This is an important issue that could affect the whole of Merton, so please take this opportunity to hold Cllr Judge to account! Contact Jo at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you'd like to sign the petition.
|