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12/05/2003
Blair unveils London schools' reform package
Prime Minister Tony Blair has unveiled plans today to reform London's schools which he believes have polarised into a system for those that can afford to buy their way to educational achievement and those that cannot depend on the state system.
In a speech today, the Prime Minister said that the reforms proposed would give every child a fair chance in life and "will mean the largest ever investment in London schools".
The package will focus on the five boroughs with the greatest problems – Haringey, Hackney, Islington, Lambeth and Southwark. In doing so the government expects to build 20 new secondary schools, create at least 15 new sixth form colleges and 30 more independent state-funded City Academies; and have at least 290 specialist schools in London by 2006.
The programme of reform will, said Mr Blair, mean a better deal for London teachers through a mortgage subsidy for the best teachers who choose to remain in the capital.
It is anticipated that centres to help parents with after-school care will be created, along with a new £10m London Gifted and Talented Centre and a zero tolerance policy of violence and disruption in the classroom.
The Prime Minister said: "We are also sending a clear message to the successful, dynamic heads in London: you will have the maximum freedoms required to deliver excellence.
"The length of the school day, the type of lessons, the pattern of the timetable, partnerships with business, the involvement of parents, the ethos of the school, the recruitment and retention of staff, ways of making good behaviour the norm, the use of assistants and other support staff for schools, opening the school from 'dawn 'till dusk' to provide additional support - these are all open to school by school innovation."
(GMcG)
In a speech today, the Prime Minister said that the reforms proposed would give every child a fair chance in life and "will mean the largest ever investment in London schools".
The package will focus on the five boroughs with the greatest problems – Haringey, Hackney, Islington, Lambeth and Southwark. In doing so the government expects to build 20 new secondary schools, create at least 15 new sixth form colleges and 30 more independent state-funded City Academies; and have at least 290 specialist schools in London by 2006.
The programme of reform will, said Mr Blair, mean a better deal for London teachers through a mortgage subsidy for the best teachers who choose to remain in the capital.
It is anticipated that centres to help parents with after-school care will be created, along with a new £10m London Gifted and Talented Centre and a zero tolerance policy of violence and disruption in the classroom.
The Prime Minister said: "We are also sending a clear message to the successful, dynamic heads in London: you will have the maximum freedoms required to deliver excellence.
"The length of the school day, the type of lessons, the pattern of the timetable, partnerships with business, the involvement of parents, the ethos of the school, the recruitment and retention of staff, ways of making good behaviour the norm, the use of assistants and other support staff for schools, opening the school from 'dawn 'till dusk' to provide additional support - these are all open to school by school innovation."
(GMcG)
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London teachers to benefit from £1bn home fund
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London teachers to benefit from £1bn home fund
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18 June 2010
Free Schools To 'Harness Teachers' Passion'
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Man Jailed For Attempted Murder Of Pc
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01 March 2005
Gang culture 'widespread', schools report finds
Gang culture is 'perceived to be widespread' in England's schools, a report by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) has found. The education watchdog said that one in five of the secondary schools visited reported that problems with gangs were perceived although few schools had firm evidence of it.
Gang culture 'widespread', schools report finds
Gang culture is 'perceived to be widespread' in England's schools, a report by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) has found. The education watchdog said that one in five of the secondary schools visited reported that problems with gangs were perceived although few schools had firm evidence of it.
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