Keep learning alive for Afghan children
Funds raised by the NEU/Save the Children Afghan appeal could pay for 125 learning packs and enough high-nutrient peanut paste for 500 children. See page 14
Nativity on strike day: was the Grinch trying to steal Xmas? A PRIMARY school in the middle of an academisation row moved its nativity play to clash with a pre-announced strike day. NEU members at St Matthew’s Church of England Primary School, in Preston, Lancashire, voted by 85 per cent for strike action against proposals to join multiacademy trust Cidari. Ian Watkinson, Preston NEU district secretary, accused head teacher Mark Mackley, who announced the new nativity play dates, of being “the Grinch trying to steal Christmas”. The attempt to guilt-trip staff failed, however, and the head was forced to close the school on all pre-announced strike days in the run-up to Christmas. On the first two days of strikes, 7 and 9 December, 25 to 30 staff joined the picket line. Ian said: “It’s hard to believe that with alternative dates available he would deliberately and cynically look to put the children’s nativity play at risk.” Bora Oktas, NEU regional officer, said the school had failed to “meaningfully consult” with staff and parents about plans to academise, presenting its proposals as a
NEU members on the picket line at St Matthew’s
“fait accompli”. NEU membership at the school has doubled during the dispute from 20 to 40. Further strike dates were called for 14-16
December and the employer was notified of these dates more than two weeks in advance. The school moved its nativity play to 15 December, then cancelled it altogether.
Landmark victory over DfE ruling AN “over the moon” school that successfully challenged an academisation order in a landmark court case has now forced the Department for Education (DfE) to revoke the order after winning a Good Ofsted grading. In July, the High Court ruled that the then Secretary of State’s refusal to revoke an academy order placed on Yew Tree Primary School was “irrational”. Judge Gavin Mansfield QC said there was clear evidence from the school of “both continued efforts to improve and success in achieving those improvements”, which were disregarded by the DfE. Following the ruling, Yew Tree Primary School invited Ofsted to revisit. In October, it was reinspected and its grading went from Inadequate to Good on every level. The DfE then confirmed that following
“We had a distracting uphill battle during the pandemic.” a review of the evidence the school submitted, as well as its new Ofsted grading, it would revoke the academy order. ‘Staff and parents are delighted’ Head teacher Jamie Barry told Educate the school is “over the moon”. He added: “We feel – it sounds a bit clichéd – but we feel so validated. We’ve been saying this for the past year to 18 months, really, and it just feels incredible. The staff and the parents, everybody’s just delighted,
because everybody’s worked so hard for it.” Ofsted graded the primary as Inadequate in January 2019 but the school insisted the inspectorate had got it wrong. It meant a distracting uphill battle during the pandemic that followed. Jamie said: “During the pandemic, most schools were just operating and existed. We couldn’t allow ourselves to do that, and so everybody just feels such a sense of acknowledgement and appreciation.” “What we’ve done here hasn’t just been for Ofsted, it’s been for our pupils,” he added. The DfE can order academisation based on a single failing Ofsted grade. Jamie said it is “really sad” to witness the DfE ignoring other evidence that a school is effective and instead rely on a single Ofsted report, “which is a much smaller document with a much narrower viewpoint of evidence”.
n See pages 24-30 for more on Ofsted
educate Your magazine from the National Education Union (NEU)
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