Councillor slams Government’s ‘act of vandalism’ plan to force college to join multi-academy trust

A councillor has called the Government’s plan to force a college to join a multi-academy trust an “act of vandalism”, as it would take it out the local authority’s control.

Lewisham councillor and cabinet member for children’s services, Chris Barnham, slammed the Government’s attempts to force attempt to force Conisborough College to join a multi-academy trust.

Cllr Barnham said: “We are wholly opposed to attempts to force any of our schools into a multi-academy trust against their wishes.

“It amounts to an act of vandalism against an inclusive local comprehensive school system that is demonstrably improving the education offer for local children.”

Lewisham council criticised the plans and academisation of schools in general in a statement, saying: “It is our view that schools joining multi academy trusts (MATs) is not generally the best option, for them or the wider community of schools.

“That is even more the case where academisation is forced upon schools without regard to the views and needs of a school’s pupils, parents or staff, and the wider school community.

“In the case of Conisborough, the school has not chosen to join a multi-academy trust. Nor has it been found inadequate by an Ofsted inspection, which has until now been the trigger for forced academisation.

The council has demanded the Government conduct a full consultation, including a ballot of parents, and take in the views of parents, staff, and the wider community.

Lewisham council said since 2019 the proportion of local schools rated good or outstanding has risen from below 90 per cent to 98 per cent – above national and London averages.

James Kerr, Lewisham’s National Education Union assistant district secretary, said: “We agree with the local authority that this is an act of vandalism.

“At a time when there are growing calls for Ofsted to be scrapped, its use as a blunt instrument for the government’s academy agenda is even more galling.

“What staff, students and families at Conisborough need right now is the resources, money and time to address the issues in the school, not to be a pawn in the education game this Tory government plays as it reaches the end of its time in office.

“We will be meeting with our members in the school later this week to plan our response.”

Conisborough College and the Department for Education have been approached for comment.

Pictured top: Conisborough College in Lewisham (Picture: Google Street View)