BBC News | EDUCATION | Private firm to run Islington's schools

BBC News Online: Education

Friday, 26 November, 1999, 08:14 GMT

Private firm to run Islington's schools

For the first time in the UK, a private company is to take over the running of all the school services provided by an education authority.

Cambridge Education Associates (CEA), a small educational consultancy, is to be put in charge of schools in the borough of Islington in north London.

It has been named as the preferred bidder for the Ł105m, seven-year contract, after the government ordered Islington to contract out its education services.

The order followed one of the most critical reports ever made about an education authority by Office of Standards in Education (Ofsted) inspectors.

Rejected for Blair children

Seven of the Labour-run borough's 70 schools - which have 25,000 pupils - were declared "failing", and a further seven identified as having "serious weaknesses".

Last year, only 23.3% of pupils in the borough achieved five good GCSE grades, while the national average was 44.4%.

Sue Seifert

Islington's most famous former resident Tony Blair rejected the borough's schools for his children.

If, as expected, CEA takes over next April, the company will provide all central services for the schools, from advising on the curriclum to running their pay-rolls.

It will also make a profit, estimated at about Ł500,000 a year.

'Answerable'

This has been criticised by teaching unions, but the company says it will only make a profit if it meets tough targets to raise standards.

Sue Seifert, headteacher of Montem Primary School in Islington, said she did not think it was right for private companies to provide school services.

"Private companies are looking for profit. They have shareholders, they have to pay dividends. How can you make a profit on our children's education?"

School Standards Minister Estelle Morris said CEA would be "answerable through the contract to Islington's LEA, and the elected councillors will monitor the contract".

"Both the Department and Islington are determined that this will mark a new beginning for the borough and raise expectations about the future of education locally."

Related to this story:
Warning for failing authorities (15 Nov 99 | Education)
Haringey angered by privatisation threat (06 Nov 99 | Education)
Nord Anglia to run Hackney school services (18 Jun 99 | Education)
Council prepares for education privatisation (18 May 99 | Education)

Internet Links: Department for Education and Employment Office for Standards in Education London Borough of Islington
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