10/12/18
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John Roan Campaign makes Private Eye!
The Parent and Teacher led campaign of Parents for John Roan and the JR NEU is getting increasing coverage locally and nationally... from Guardian articles and support from top Labour politicians to articles by local public interest journalists at 853London. Please read below and reach out to these outlets with your views and experiences on the issue!!
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Sherington Staff fight Academisation
From a Sherington Parent:
Tim Woodcock from the NEU (the union that represents teachers at Sherington) has confirmed that members of the NEU (teachers) have voted in favour of a ballot for industrial action against Sherington becoming an academy. Steve Oakes from the GMB (the union that represents support staff at Sherington) has already confirmed in this group the view of support staff in the school with regards to academisation: "...they oppose this move, unanimously. They want to remain under the local authority."I also understand that staff (teachers and support staff) have written a letter to the governors stating their views against the potential academisation. I hop e this offers some clarity on how staff are feeling about the possibility of Sherington joining a MAT. The head and governors are now officially aware of their views."
Tim Woodcock from the NEU (the union that represents teachers at Sherington) has confirmed that members of the NEU (teachers) have voted in favour of a ballot for industrial action against Sherington becoming an academy. Steve Oakes from the GMB (the union that represents support staff at Sherington) has already confirmed in this group the view of support staff in the school with regards to academisation: "...they oppose this move, unanimously. They want to remain under the local authority."I also understand that staff (teachers and support staff) have written a letter to the governors stating their views against the potential academisation. I hop e this offers some clarity on how staff are feeling about the possibility of Sherington joining a MAT. The head and governors are now officially aware of their views."
Greenwich Councillor Makes Formal Complaint...
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Following the decision of the John Roan Trustees to remove me from the Board I am making a formal complaint about the conduct of the Trustees and the Chair in particular for:
- failing to act in the interests of John Roan and the failure to carry out due diligence in respect of the damage that could be caused by the School moving to an academy, - the flawed decision making process where decisions were taken without supporting papers being made available, - the failure to consider what asset transfers could mean by placing all of its assets in the control of a business and failing to consider the damage that could be caused to the future of students in the school, - the failure to appoint a independent legal adviser but instead appointing a firm specialising in asset transfers to academies. In addition I have formally made a complaint about the failure to act in accordance with the procedure set out in the constitution relating to my removal from Office |
Councillor John Fahy, Labour Councillor at the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the Chair of the Corporate Finance and Performance Scrutiny Panel resigned his role as Governor from the GB of the Royal Greenwich Trust School due to ' the activities of the UST and their predatory action in respect of John Roan'. @Cllrfahy john.fahy@royalgreenwich.gov.uk .
Controversally, Linda Neslon the Chair of Trustees for the John Roan Foundation removed John Fahy as a trustee on 11 July because of his criticisms of the way in which the Foundation has not carried out through due dilligence before agreeing to transfer the assets of the Foundation (who own the Maze Hill land and buildings). We are extremely concerned at this decision and demand the immediate reinstatement of John Fahy and access to the minutes of the Foundation.
Controversally, Linda Neslon the Chair of Trustees for the John Roan Foundation removed John Fahy as a trustee on 11 July because of his criticisms of the way in which the Foundation has not carried out through due dilligence before agreeing to transfer the assets of the Foundation (who own the Maze Hill land and buildings). We are extremely concerned at this decision and demand the immediate reinstatement of John Fahy and access to the minutes of the Foundation.
Retweeted John Fahy (@cllrfahy):
— Izzy Hickmet (@Izzy_Hickmet) 11 July 2018
Disappointed to be removed from the John Roan Foundation last night. Trustees failing to act in the interests of the school. Accused of breaching confidentiality. Determined to make formal complaint to the Charity Commission
Report from Monday 25th June Governors Meeting
Parents formed a Lobby to ask the Governors to hold their decision on accepting this academy order until the legal challenge has been decided. The Governors chose to change the location of the meeting and hold it an hour earlier rather than invite parents to speak to the Governors. Parents did hand in letters of concern but the Chair of Governors said that they had no time for questions. Unfortunately the GB does not seem to want to engage with the real parental concerns about the speed and untransparent manner in which the future of the school is being decided. If you share these concerns or have any questions for the parents involved in fighting the academisation of the JR please contact the parents group at parentsforjohnroan@gmail.com or email your questions or any concerns to the Governors directly at at governors@thejohnroan.greenwich.sch.uk
Some examples of questions and concerns can be found here: Report from 26th June John Roan Public Meeting 7pm
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In the absense of any attempt by the School Leadership and Governors to facilitate a whole stakeholders meeting the JR NEU organised this meeting to bring the community together. The meeting was well attended and had some great (and enlightening) speakers, from teachers who had worked for the UST, to the General Secretary of the NEU, the largest Education Trade Union and academics who have researched the ideological academies programme, and parents who are passionate in their objection to both the school's recent Ofsted grading and any move to academise the school. See below for some clips of the speakers. Contact the thejohnroannut@gmail.com for more details on what was covered on the night.
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Wednesday 27th June Greenwich Council Meeting 7pm
Parents organised a deputation to the Council seeking clarification on their support for the school and whether the Council will put into place a school improvement plan to allow the school to stay an LA maintained school. Email parentsforjohnroan@gmail.com for details of how it went.
HALT THE ACADEMY ORDER!
The Regional Schools Commissioner, Dominic Herrington, is the Government official who made the decision to deliver an Academy Order on June 12th . Please email him to ask him to reconsider allowing the LA to work with the school and the new Head Teacher on a school improvement plan. His email address is rsc.sesl.@education.gsi.gov.uk. Some concerns about any forced academisation without a transparent and meaningful consultation period are:
- staff and many parents do not believe the interests of its students are best met through becoming part of an academy group.
- the Headteacher, Cath Smith, was only appointed shortly before the inspection and deserves an opportunity to implement the changes necessary in the school without the distraction of converting to an academy.
- the JR is a good local school, rooted in its community and loved and respected by generations of local people. A strong sustainable school improvement plan can be implemented through consultation and co-operation between the school and the Greenwich LEA rather than handing over the management and land and facilities of a publically funded school to a private company.
- staff, parents, students, and the community deserve a voice in any discussion and decision making process about the future of this historic community school.
- staff and many parents do not believe the interests of its students are best met through becoming part of an academy group.
- the Headteacher, Cath Smith, was only appointed shortly before the inspection and deserves an opportunity to implement the changes necessary in the school without the distraction of converting to an academy.
- the JR is a good local school, rooted in its community and loved and respected by generations of local people. A strong sustainable school improvement plan can be implemented through consultation and co-operation between the school and the Greenwich LEA rather than handing over the management and land and facilities of a publically funded school to a private company.
- staff, parents, students, and the community deserve a voice in any discussion and decision making process about the future of this historic community school.
ONLINE AND PRINT COVERAGE
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Read how Parents have appealed to RBG Council to work with the school to develop a school improvement plan... HERE
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Parents of children at John Roan School in Greenwich set to take Ofsted to Court
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Read Callum Fraser's article for the South London Press & Mercury HERE
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Greenwich Council's Director of Childrens Services, Cllr David Gardner vows that Greenwich Council will resist any attempt to force The John Roan School to become an Academy. Read an account of the Public Meeting he spoke at here..->.
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May 2018
Dear Damian Hinds, your academy policy is whim and dogma Michael Rosen in the Guardian HERE
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A timely reminder that questions are being asked at the highest level on whether forcing a school to become an academy delivers value for money over working within the LA on a School Improvement Plan. Jonathan Slater, permanent secretary at the DfE had no clear answer.
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22nd May 2018
Fears that The John Roan will be forced to become an Academy
Town hall chiefs and politicians have pledged their support to parents and teachers concerned that a school in South-east London may be forced to become an academy. Matthew Pennycook, MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, said: “Ofsted’s final inspection report has not been finalised and published, so nothing is known for certain. “But I am clear that I will oppose any attempt to forcibly convert The John Roan to an academy as a means of addressing underperformance at the school."
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
Matthew Pennycock's letter of concern to
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Ofsted's response to Matthew Pennycock's Parliamentary Question |
Please read the NEWS ARTICLES section below for recent discussions on Teaching and Policy Making. We welcome your feedback on these issues
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