Remember Downhills Primary School? This was the underperforming school in Haringey that became a political battleground towards the end of last year. On one side was Michael Gove and the coalition, proposing that Downhills — and schools like it — become academies, as that’s how to boost academic performance. On the other was the local MP, Labour’s David Lammy, as well as the school hierarchy and various union types, all apoplectic at having academy status ‘imposed’ from above. Harsh words were traded, meetings were convened, and little was resolved by it all.
I mention this now because, late yesterday afternoon, something was actually resolved in Haringey: Downhills was put in ‘special measures’ by OFSTED — which effectively means that
it’s failing and needs help to be pulled up again. The headmaster has since resigned, although the board of governors are staying put. In the statement that they released yesterday, transmitting
their disappointment and dismay, they did say that:
But, crucially, this was preceded by the admission:‘It remains our position that any restructuring of the school should not be imposed from above unless and until there has been a full consultation with parents, staff and the local community.’
Of course, Gove & Co. have not won the political battle over Downhills yet — parents and staff will still need bringing around. But it’s difficult to see how their leftwing opponents can successfully counter from here. David Lammy, if he carries on as he was, is now in a position where he’s defending what is officially a failing school against what was, broadly, New Labour policy. It’s a local but significant demonstration of Labour’s wider problem under Ed Miliband: they’re not standing up for what were their best ideas in government.‘We have therefore written to the Secretary of State of the Department of Education today asking him to meet with us to discuss any plans the Department may have for the future for the school.’
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