WSAW press release of 22nd April 2013 - Woodard Academies and the Durand Academy Fiasco

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West Sussex Academy Watch

Monday 22nd April

Woodards Academies and the Durand Academy Fiasco

West Sussex Academy Watch condemns in the strongest terms the racist language used by Conservative county councillor John Cherry regarding the proposed boarding school in West Sussex for under-privileged London children. These remarks – bizarrely depicting a national hierarchy of potential achievement, and a “sexual volcano” to be unleashed by ‘escaped’ black school children - were a throwback to the biological racism of the colonial era and have no place in modern society. A spokesperson for the group said: “These disgusting comments are a distraction from the real issue. It is current education policy that has led to a shortage of school places and to the plans for this expensive boarding school in West Sussex. It would be far better if this money was invested in good new state schools in London and West Sussex so that families are not broken up for children to receive a decent education.”

Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, has heaped praise on Sir Robert Woodard Academy in Lancing for appointing its third head in as many years. This school was placed in special measures by Ofsted last year. In a recent Ofsted parents survey 33% of parents think the school is not well led compared to 62% who think their child is taught well at the school. Despite the adverse effects on the children, Tim Loughton continues to praise the instability that academy status has brought to this school.

In a bad week for the Woodard academy schools, teachers have been on strike at Littlehampton Academy. In a joint statement by NUT and NASUWT, they cited “the oppressive management policies at the school which is part of the Woodard Academy chain” as the reason for the action. West Sussex Academy Watch calls for Woodard Schools to review their leadership and management practices to ensure their staff are not subject to onerous micro-management, and so that pupils at their schools are able to learn in a stable, well led environment.

A spokesperson for West Sussex Academy Watch said: “These developments show once again that education is delivered best in a free, democratically accountable state system. Local Tories are hopelessly out of touch and West Sussex Academy Watch once again calls on West Sussex County Council to abandon its policy of encouraging all schools to convert to academy status.”

For comment or clarification please contact: 

WSAcademyWatch@hotmail.co.uk

Notes to Editors

·       For more information on the Ofsted Parent View results for Sir Robert Woodard, please see the following link:

http://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/parent-view-results/survey/result/23039/current

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