Is Michaela Academy Free School viable?
A Freedom Of Information request has revealed that Michaela Academy, a secondary free school due to open in a disused College of North West London building, in September 2014, has received only 50 1st...
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Green Euro candidate hits out at industrialisation of schools
A leading Green Party politician has condemned Government league tables that show nearly half the areas with primary schools not meeting new nationally set targets are in Yorkshire.Cllr Andrew Cooper,...
View ArticleAlternative uses proposed for Central Middlesex Hospital after A&E closure
The Central Middlesex Accident and Emergency facility is still set to close despite extensive local opposition. However the hospital is still being paid for through a Private Finance Initiative scheme...
View ArticleFiguring out Brent secondary school applications
Following my story revealing the number of Brent 1st preference choices for Michael Community Free School Year 7 admissions for September 2014 was 46, several people have asked about comparable...
View ArticleBarham Library campaign to oppose Trustees' Appeal
Statement from Friends of Barham LibraryThe attempt to change the planning designation from 'community use' for the Barham Library building failed when the Planning Committee voted by 6 votes to 1 to...
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Brent Council should work with the community on Barham Park Library
Guest blog by Philip Grant following the Barham Park Planning Committee decision and the Freinds of Barham Library's statement that they would challenge any appeal by the Trustees of Barham Park...
View ArticleCOPLAND STAFF & PARENTS DENIED SECRET BALLOT ON ARK (EVEN IF THEY FOOT THE...
Guest blog by 'Fair Play'Misjudged attempts by Copland Community School’s Interim Executive Board (IEB) to outmanoeuvre the school’s staff have failed embarrassingly. The Brent Council-imposed...
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4th Copland teachers' strike against Ark Academy takeover
'Santas' support the last Copland strikeCoplandCommunity Schoolwill beclosed againtomorrow(Tuesday 17thDecember)asstafftaketheirfourth dayof strike actiontoopposetheattempt toforce them to...
View ArticleProtest against Hunt's attempt to curb legal challenges to hospital closures
There was a protest today by campaigners fighting Jeremy Hunt's attempt to add a clause to the Social Care bill which would prevent communities taking legal action, such as that of the Lewisham...
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Reflecting on the life of Mandela at Preston Community Library
Guest blog by Jacqueline Bunce-LinsellLast Friday Preston Community Library (PrCL) held a reflection on the life of Nelson Mandela.We opened by singing the South African National anthem made famous by...
View ArticleVital Education Question Time Meeting in New Year
Whyareteachersstriking?IsOFSTEDapoliticaltool? DoweneedSATs?Whyisthereashortageofschoolplaces?...
View ArticleApologies for absence
Sorry for the lack of postings over the last 3 days. I have been unwell but on the mend now.
View ArticleLib Dem's Chief Fundraiser selected for Brent Central
The official party press releases on Ibrahim Taguri, the Liberal Democrat's chosen parliamentary candidate for Brent Central, have mentioned his background in charity fundraising. However he ended his...
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Controversy over Council, Police, UKBA action in Cricklewood
Combined action by the UK Border Agency, the police and Brent Council on migrant workers has created controversy in Cricklewood which has spilled over intolively debate on the Streetlife forum of the...
View ArticleUncertainty dogs Gladstone Park Primary at end of term
As the Autumn term ended amidst the traditional school Christmas festivities, Gladstone Park Primary School parents were disappointed to hear that what had appeared to be a positive development for the...
View ArticleBrent Council ignorant of how many of their contractors pay below London...
Brent Council's commitment to paying the London Living Wage was very welcome but as pointed out in previous postings that is problematic because the Council has very few directly employed manual and...
View ArticleMake your views known on Landlord Licensing extension
Brent Council is consulting on a licensing scheme for landlords in the private sector. Although this could be very useful in terms of ensuring the safety and quality of premises, the fair treatment of...
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Is retail really the answer to Brent's economic development?
London Designer Outlet, Christmas Eve, 11.30amIf you wanted a little bit of peace and quiet away from the last minute Christmas shopping crowds then Wembley's London Designer Outlet (the LDO) was the...
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Greens: Bring rail back into public hands following more fare rises
As rail companies in England announced fare rises for 2014, commuters and their household budgets received more bad news. Firms are allowed to put fares up by much as 2% above the agreed...
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