Government lose court case over BSF cancellation
The government has been defeated in the High Court over the way it scrapped part of England’s school building programme.
The education secretary’s decision to axe Buildings Schools for the Future (BSF) projects in six local authority areas was ruled unlawful as he failed to consult on it.
He ordered Education Secretary Michael Gove to reconsider the decisions.
The axing of the scheme in July last year meant that at least 700 school rebuilds in England would not be going ahead.
General secretary of the NUT Christine Blower said: “The decision by Michael Gove to end the projects was outrageous particularly in light of the money they are apparently finding to bankroll the free schools programme.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12429152
Plans for a second strike after teachers flock to the picket line
TEACHERS at a Derbyshire school proposing to become an academy will go on strike for a second time next week.
The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers said their action at John Port School yesterday was so successful that they are planning a second walkout on Thursday 17th February.
More than 80 teachers went on strike at the Etwall school and it was hailed as the biggest turnout at the picket line outside a county school for many years. http://www.antiacademies.org.uk/Home/headlines/plansforasecondstrikeafterteachersflocktothepicketline
Wandsworth School to strike next week – Chestnut Grove not Chestnut Gove
On Wednesday 16th February NUT members at Chestnut Grove School in Wandsworth are striking against Academy proposals. They are picketing from 7am.
One teacher told us “this is a strike against the principle of academies which will significantly worsen the education we offer our children and is a dagger at the heart of nationally negotiated conditions of pay of teachers. The vote by the members was a magnificent statement in favour of comprehensive education and everybody will be welcome on our picket lines on Wednesday.”
Send messages of support urgently to jnielsen.212@lgflmail.org
Free Schools News
While the government press on with their Free Schools the true nature of their plans are starting to become clear. See
More news stories here http://www.delicious.com/antiacademies
Anti Academies Alliance Financial Appeal
The Anti Academies Alliance has launched a Financial Appeal to help build the opposition to Academies and ‘Free’ Schools.
Read our Appeal, and download the leaflet, here http://www.antiacademies.org.uk/Home/financial-appeal
How can the Anti Academies Alliance help your school?
We continue to be approached by schools asking us to help them campaign against Academy proposals that are being pushed on them.
The Anti Academies Alliance is happy to work with head teachers, governors, parents and staff to develop a campaign to prevent your school becoming an Academy.
Please contact the office if you need help.
Anti Academies DVD
We have an excellent new 13 minute DVD outlining the case against Academies and ‘Free’ Schools.
It is perfect for union meetings / parent meetings / campaign meetings.
If you would like a copy they are £10 to union groups / £2 to parent and campaign groups. We can produce bulk orders at a reduced price. Send orders to the office and we will despatch them with an invoice.
