GMB call for government accountability following rebrokering of 4 Silver Birch Academy Trust schools
GMB call for government accountability following mismanagement of 4 schools by Silver Birch Academy Trust leading to summer of uncertainty for parents and support staff
The proposed closure of the Silver Birch Academy Trust is another example of the failure of academisation and on these occasions the government needs to be held accountable, says GMB London
GMB, the union for school support staff, have called on the government to be held accountable for failing academies, after mismanagement has caused the dissolution of Silver Birch Academy Trust and forced 4 schools into a process of rebrokering. [See notes to editors for previous GMB press release]
Silver Birch Academy announced the rebrokering process on July 13, just prior to the summer holidays, giving rise to unnecessary anxiety for both parents and school staff. A direct consequence of the academisation policy for schools.
Silver Birch Academy Trust runs the following 4 schools, Chingford Primary Academy, 4 Burnside Ave, Chingford, London E4 8YJ; Whittingham Primary Academy, 340-338 Higham Hill Rd, Walthamstow, London E17 5QX; Longshaw Primary Academy, 22 Longshaw Rd, London E4 6LH; and Winston Way Primary Academy, Winston Way, Ilford, Essex IG1 2WS.
Anna Meyer, Regional Organiser, said:
“The facts are that Silver Birch Academy Trust has failed in its management of the schools, having been issued with a financial notice to improve and as a result has proposed a rebrokering process, announced just prior to the summer holiday period.
“This no doubt will leave many families as well as staff from the schools worrying about the future when they should be enjoying their holiday breaks.
“The continued drive for academisation, putting schools outside local authority support, creates major problems when the academy trusts take over schools which are successful, and through mismanagement lead to the decline of the schools and the failure of the trust.
“The proposed closure of the Silver Birch Academy Trust is another example of the failure of academisation and on these occasions the government needs to be held accountable. Especially when the criteria for deciding which academy groups should get extra funding is so unclear.”
ENDS
Contact: Anna Meyer 07974 251 808 or GMB London Press Office 07970 114 762
Notes to Editors:
1] GMB question staff restructuring at Longshaw Primary Academy after re-brokering announcement (6 August 2018) https://www.gmblondon.org.uk/news/gmb-question-staff-restructuring-at-longshaw-primary-academy
