The Eye reported how “sharp-eyed parents” noticed the team that inspected Wanstead High School included Moazam Parvez, a head of a neighbouring school. Ofsted judged the school as “requires improvement” – a drop from a previous judgement of “good”.
Ofsted also judged the London Nautical School as “requires improvement”. The Eye found the inspection team included Sir Daniel Moynihan, CEO of the Harris Federation academy chain which sponsors academies in London and has taken over a number of “failing” schools including Downhills.
In 2011, the Eye had received assurance from Ofsted that if any inspectors were “involved in an organisation in competition with the school under inspection” then Ofsted would regard it as “a conflict of interest to be avoided”.
The Eye asked Ofsted whether the inclusion of Parvez and Moynihan in inspection teams was a breach of that protocol. Ofsted promised an explanation but “answer came there none”
- See more at: http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2013/11/private-eye-queries-conflict-of-interest-in-ofsted-inspections-answer-came-there-none/#sthash.7I2K4KI5.dpuf
Earlier last week, I attended the NUT's Academies Working Group to discuss our ongoing campaigning work to try and resist the education privatisation agenda.Ofsted also judged the London Nautical School as “requires improvement”. The Eye found the inspection team included Sir Daniel Moynihan, CEO of the Harris Federation academy chain which sponsors academies in London and has taken over a number of “failing” schools including Downhills.
In 2011, the Eye had received assurance from Ofsted that if any inspectors were “involved in an organisation in competition with the school under inspection” then Ofsted would regard it as “a conflict of interest to be avoided”.
The Eye asked Ofsted whether the inclusion of Parvez and Moynihan in inspection teams was a breach of that protocol. Ofsted promised an explanation but “answer came there none”
- See more at: http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2013/11/private-eye-queries-conflict-of-interest-in-ofsted-inspections-answer-came-there-none/#sthash.7I2K4KI5.dpuf
There are some success stories to report, like the successful campaign against academisation at Snaresbrook school in Redbridge http://antiacademies.org.uk/2013/10/victory-at-snaresbrook-primary-schoo/
However, there were other frankly outrageous reports, not least the report in a recent issue of Private Eye pointing out the dubious conflicts of interest when Ofsted inspection teams include individuals who stand to benefit directly out of making a critical judgement of the schools they are visiting:
"The Eye reported how “sharp-eyed parents” noticed the team that inspected Wanstead High School included a head of a neighbouring school. Ofsted judged the school as “requires improvement” – a drop from a previous judgement of “good” ... Ofsted also judged the London Nautical School as “requires improvement”. The Eye found the inspection team included Sir Daniel Moynihan, CEO of the Harris Federation academy chain which sponsors academies in London and has taken over a number of “failing” schools including Downhills". http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2013/11/private-eye-queries-conflict-of-interest-in-ofsted-inspections-answer-came-there-none
The latest monthly "Privatisation Update', posted on the NUT national website, includes these and other stories: http://www.teachers.org.uk/node/19564 and http://www.teachers.org.uk/node/19816
Here are just a few snippets to highlight:
Academies increase social divisions
Academies are creating greater segregation between pupils from rich and poor homes than community schools, according to research, led by Professor Stephen Gorard from the University of Durham. “Segregation by poverty is highest in areas with fewest ‘bog standard’ schools and lowest in areas with few independent, selective, faith-based, foundation, city technology colleges or academy schools,” the paper says.
Unqualified free school head quits after six months in post
The 27 year old Head Teacher of Pimlico Primary free school who was controversially appointed despite holding no teaching qualification, has left her job just over a month into the school’s first term.
Gove advisor quits to work with free schools
Dominic Cummings, Education Secretary Michael Gove’s most influential adviser, will leave his job at the end of the year. Shortly after the announcement, a 250-page ‘private thesis’ on education by Cummings was published in which he maintained that genetics was more important than teaching in defining a pupil’s success.
Three free schools, over £11 million and just 82 pupils
The Leeds Jewish Free School, a secondary school which has received over £3 million of taxpayers’ funding, opened last month with just eight pupils, despite having capacity for 25. Critics of the scheme question the spending of a new secondary school when the city is facing a severe shortage of school places in the primary phase. Supporters say that it was needed because Jewish children had previously had to travel to Manchester if they wanted to attend a faith-based state secondary school. (Yorkshire Post, 19.09.13). In neighbouring Humberside, the Boulevard academy, a new secondary free school in Hull which is being built at a cost of £8 million, opened this September with just 43 pupils, making it almost a third undersubscribed. The school is supposed to have an eventual capacity of 600 pupils, with 120 in each year group, but it has opened in an area with a massive surplus of secondary places. (BBC News Humberside, 09.09.13). A secondary free school in Durham which employs nine teachers has opened with just 31 pupils, just half of its 60 available Y7 places. Despite being situated in an area with a large surplus of secondary places, Durham Free School plans to expand its Y7 intake to 90 from 2015.
US Charter group sued over alleged fraud
US officials have filed a lawsuit against a charter school provider over accusations that the group misappropriated millions of dollars of US taxpayers’ money. Three former officials at Options Public Charter School Board, including the chief executive officer and chief operating officer, are accused by the Washington DC school district of extracting at least $3 million of funds from the school through extravagant salaries and sweetheart contracts with companies they controlled.
Ministers rejected measures to reduce costs of forced academies
A leaked document from the DfE shows that civil servants’ suggestions that the forced academies programme could be scaled back as part of a cost saving agenda were rejected by Ministers early this year. The briefing document, entitled “What Stops at the DfE?”, outlines possible areas of expenditure on academies and free schools to cut back in order to meet departmental cuts ... The document states that cutting the resources devoted to these projects could be considered, "leading to a reduction in forced conversion activity and in some cases choosing not to pursue some schools in areas of strong opposition, where success in securing an academy comes at disproportionate cost". However, the suggestion was strongly rejected by education secretary Michael Gove and schools minister, David Laws whose comments in the document read: "No – totally wrong. Really important area."
Support for free schools is collapsing
Public support for free schools has reached an all-time low according to a YouGov poll commissioned for the Times. Just 27 per cent back free schools, down from 36 per cent in mid-September, with 47 per cent opposed. The poll also shows that 66 per cent believe that the schools should only be able to employ qualified teachers and 56 per cent believe the national curriculum should be compulsory for all schools. (New Statesman, 24.10.13)
Private Eye, No 1352, 1-14 November 2013
The Eye reported how “sharp-eyed parents” noticed the team that inspected Wanstead High School included Moazam Parvez, a head of a neighbouring school. Ofsted judged the school as “requires improvement” – a drop from a previous judgement of “good”.
Ofsted also judged the London Nautical School as “requires improvement”. The Eye found the inspection team included Sir Daniel Moynihan, CEO of the Harris Federation academy chain which sponsors academies in London and has taken over a number of “failing” schools including Downhills.
In 2011, the Eye had received assurance from Ofsted that if any inspectors were “involved in an organisation in competition with the school under inspection” then Ofsted would regard it as “a conflict of interest to be avoided”.
The Eye asked Ofsted whether the inclusion of Parvez and Moynihan in inspection teams was a breach of that protocol. Ofsted promised an explanation but “answer came there none”.
- See more at: http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2013/11/private-eye-queries-conflict-of-interest-in-ofsted-inspections-answer-came-there-none/#sthash.yebyMLPZ.dpuf
The Eye reported how “sharp-eyed parents” noticed the team that inspected Wanstead High School included Moazam Parvez, a head of a neighbouring school. Ofsted judged the school as “requires improvement” – a drop from a previous judgement of “good”.
Ofsted also judged the London Nautical School as “requires improvement”. The Eye found the inspection team included Sir Daniel Moynihan, CEO of the Harris Federation academy chain which sponsors academies in London and has taken over a number of “failing” schools including Downhills.
In 2011, the Eye had received assurance from Ofsted that if any inspectors were “involved in an organisation in competition with the school under inspection” then Ofsted would regard it as “a conflict of interest to be avoided”.
The Eye asked Ofsted whether the inclusion of Parvez and Moynihan in inspection teams was a breach of that protocol. Ofsted promised an explanation but “answer came there none”.
- See more at: http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2013/11/private-eye-queries-conflict-of-interest-in-ofsted-inspections-answer-came-there-none/#sthash.yebyMLPZ.dpuf
Private Eye, No 1352, 1-14 November 2013
The Eye reported how “sharp-eyed parents” noticed the team that inspected Wanstead High School included Moazam Parvez, a head of a neighbouring school. Ofsted judged the school as “requires improvement” – a drop from a previous judgement of “good”.
Ofsted also judged the London Nautical School as “requires improvement”. The Eye found the inspection team included Sir Daniel Moynihan, CEO of the Harris Federation academy chain which sponsors academies in London and has taken over a number of “failing” schools including Downhills.
In 2011, the Eye had received assurance from Ofsted that if any inspectors were “involved in an organisation in competition with the school under inspection” then Ofsted would regard it as “a conflict of interest to be avoided”.
The Eye asked Ofsted whether the inclusion of Parvez and Moynihan in inspection teams was a breach of that protocol. Ofsted promised an explanation but “answer came there none”.
- See more at: http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2013/11/private-eye-queries-conflict-of-interest-in-ofsted-inspections-answer-came-there-none/#sthash.yebyMLPZ.dpuf
The Eye reported how “sharp-eyed parents” noticed the team that inspected Wanstead High School included Moazam Parvez, a head of a neighbouring school. Ofsted judged the school as “requires improvement” – a drop from a previous judgement of “good”.
Ofsted also judged the London Nautical School as “requires improvement”. The Eye found the inspection team included Sir Daniel Moynihan, CEO of the Harris Federation academy chain which sponsors academies in London and has taken over a number of “failing” schools including Downhills.
In 2011, the Eye had received assurance from Ofsted that if any inspectors were “involved in an organisation in competition with the school under inspection” then Ofsted would regard it as “a conflict of interest to be avoided”.
The Eye asked Ofsted whether the inclusion of Parvez and Moynihan in inspection teams was a breach of that protocol. Ofsted promised an explanation but “answer came there none”.
- See more at: http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2013/11/private-eye-queries-conflict-of-interest-in-ofsted-inspections-answer-came-there-none/#sthash.yebyMLPZ.dpuf
Private Eye, No 1352, 1-14 November 2013
The Eye reported how “sharp-eyed parents” noticed the team that inspected Wanstead High School included Moazam Parvez, a head of a neighbouring school. Ofsted judged the school as “requires improvement” – a drop from a previous judgement of “good”.
Ofsted also judged the London Nautical School as “requires improvement”. The Eye found the inspection team included Sir Daniel Moynihan, CEO of the Harris Federation academy chain which sponsors academies in London and has taken over a number of “failing” schools including Downhills.
In 2011, the Eye had received assurance from Ofsted that if any inspectors were “involved in an organisation in competition with the school under inspection” then Ofsted would regard it as “a conflict of interest to be avoided”.
The Eye asked Ofsted whether the inclusion of Parvez and Moynihan in inspection teams was a breach of that protocol. Ofsted promised an explanation but “answer came there none”.
- See more at: http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2013/11/private-eye-queries-conflict-of-interest-in-ofsted-inspections-answer-came-there-none/#sthash.yebyMLPZ.dpuf
The Eye reported how “sharp-eyed parents” noticed the team that inspected Wanstead High School included Moazam Parvez, a head of a neighbouring school. Ofsted judged the school as “requires improvement” – a drop from a previous judgement of “good”.
Ofsted also judged the London Nautical School as “requires improvement”. The Eye found the inspection team included Sir Daniel Moynihan, CEO of the Harris Federation academy chain which sponsors academies in London and has taken over a number of “failing” schools including Downhills.
In 2011, the Eye had received assurance from Ofsted that if any inspectors were “involved in an organisation in competition with the school under inspection” then Ofsted would regard it as “a conflict of interest to be avoided”.
The Eye asked Ofsted whether the inclusion of Parvez and Moynihan in inspection teams was a breach of that protocol. Ofsted promised an explanation but “answer came there none”.
- See more at: http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2013/11/private-eye-queries-conflict-of-interest-in-ofsted-inspections-answer-came-there-none/#sthash.yebyMLPZ.dpuf
Private Eye, No 1352, 1-14 November 2013
The Eye reported how “sharp-eyed parents” noticed the team that inspected Wanstead High School included Moazam Parvez, a head of a neighbouring school. Ofsted judged the school as “requires improvement” – a drop from a previous judgement of “good”.
Ofsted also judged the London Nautical School as “requires improvement”. The Eye found the inspection team included Sir Daniel Moynihan, CEO of the Harris Federation academy chain which sponsors academies in London and has taken over a number of “failing” schools including Downhills.
In 2011, the Eye had received assurance from Ofsted that if any inspectors were “involved in an organisation in competition with the school under inspection” then Ofsted would regard it as “a conflict of interest to be avoided”.
The Eye asked Ofsted whether the inclusion of Parvez and Moynihan in inspection teams was a breach of that protocol. Ofsted promised an explanation but “answer came there none”.
- See more at: http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2013/11/private-eye-queries-conflict-of-interest-in-ofsted-inspections-answer-came-there-none/#sthash.yebyMLPZ.dpuf
The Eye reported how “sharp-eyed parents” noticed the team that inspected Wanstead High School included Moazam Parvez, a head of a neighbouring school. Ofsted judged the school as “requires improvement” – a drop from a previous judgement of “good”.
Ofsted also judged the London Nautical School as “requires improvement”. The Eye found the inspection team included Sir Daniel Moynihan, CEO of the Harris Federation academy chain which sponsors academies in London and has taken over a number of “failing” schools including Downhills.
In 2011, the Eye had received assurance from Ofsted that if any inspectors were “involved in an organisation in competition with the school under inspection” then Ofsted would regard it as “a conflict of interest to be avoided”.
The Eye asked Ofsted whether the inclusion of Parvez and Moynihan in inspection teams was a breach of that protocol. Ofsted promised an explanation but “answer came there none”.
- See more at: http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2013/11/private-eye-queries-conflict-of-interest-in-ofsted-inspections-answer-came-there-none/#sthash.yebyMLPZ.dpuf
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