16 May 2003
London boroughs have accused the government of 'spin' this week after five local education authorities were named and shamed as having the capital's worst performing schools, despite being recognised as improving.
Education Secretary Charles Clarke, launching what he described as the 'most radical reform of London schools since the Second World War', said there would be an 'unremitting focus' on schools in Islington, Hackney, Lambeth, Southwark and Haringey.
He warned that his department would be fostering 'an exceptionally close relationship' with failing schools in the boroughs while it would be taking 'whatever decisions are needed to raise quality'. These decisions could include closing failing schools and removing weak head teachers.
The announcement took most of the LEAs by surprise and comes just weeks after the damaging row over alleged missing government funds for schools.
Lambeth immediately sought clarification from London schools Commissioner Tim Brighouse. 'We want to know what the main concerns about our schools are,' said Anthony Bottrall, Lambeth executive member for education. 'None of our secondary schools are in special measures; two of them are Beacon schools and four have achieved specialist status.'
Islington also claimed that the government had recognised its achievements in its London Challenge report. 'Schools in Islington have made real progress over the past three years. And we have some of the most improved primary school results in the country,' said James Kempton, executive member for regeneration and education.
However, Bottrall did welcome indications of additional investment, as did Alan Wood, chief executive of the Learning Trust, a not-for profit organisation that runs Hackney's schools. 'I hope the London strategy means more resources for Hackney schools. If it is only more advice or "naming and shaming", that will be unhelpful.'
Clarke also announced at least 30 new independent state-funded city academies in London by 2008. These would be open to competition, while a new mortgage guarantee scheme would help to keep teachers in the capital.
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