Forum Topic

Planning: 180224FUL - Phase 1 - Former Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College, Gunnersbury Lane,

Below is copied from the covering letter in the applicationPhase 1 - Former Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College, Gunnersbury Lane, ACTON, W3 8UX.“Application for full planning permission for the erection of a part-two/part-three storey academic building (Class D1, non-residential institution) for education use as a secondary school including dining hall, outdoor play space, new car parking area and other associated works”.This proposal is part of a wider package of works which seeks to redevelop the Site for mixed-use educational and residential development.Phase 1, which is the subject of this planning application, will comprise the construction of a new school building on Gunnersbury Lane capable of accommodating 180 students. This building is set to open as a school in September 2019. A temporary kitchen unit will be constructed to the rear of the Phase 1 building until Phase 2 opens.Phase 2, which will be the subject of a forthcoming application, will include the demolition of the remaining existing college buildings and the construction of the main school facility for a total of 1,200 students plus circa 100 new residential units in three towers (6 – 9 storeys) above the main school building. This building is set to open as a school in September 2020.https://pam.ealing.gov.uk/online-applications/centralDistribution.do?caseType=Application&keyVal=P2OWZIJMJUV00

Paul Webster ● 2993d20 Comments

Children and taxpayers at risk from academies, says the Public Accounts Committee report, published the 30th March.See:https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/public-accounts-committee/news-parliament-2017/academy-schools-accounts-report-published-17-19/

Libby Kemp ● 2946d

Thank you Chris Hurley for an excellent and informative post.

Libby Kemp ● 2953d

From the anti academies alliance: Raising Standards?The government’s claim that academies are raising standards and that their results are improving faster than in other schools is not proven because the data is kept secret. Furthermore, such data that it has been possible to acquire indicates that the government’s claim is wide open to critical challenge.Selective AdmissionsCovert and overt admissions and exclusion practices enable academies to skew their intakes in favour of those from higher-achieving backgrounds.Local authorities can ‘direct’ maintained schools to accept special needs and looked-after children but can only ‘ask’ academies.Increased ExclusionsThere is increasing evidence of academies excluding more children than maintained schools.Evading Education LawAcademies are not covered by general education law which means that their students and parents have fewer rights than those of schools in the maintained sector.  Academies should be brought under the umbrella of general education law and the recently published education and skills bill should be the vehicle used to achieve this.No DemocracyRushed, flawed and manipulated consultation processes show a complete disregard of the views of local people. There is no democratic ballot for parents and teachers within the consultation process.Governance ArrangementsThe sponsor has the power to appoint the majority of governors.Academies are only required to appoint one parent and one staff governor and they are rarely representative of the communities they are supposed to serve.Staff Terms and ConditionsAcademies have high staff turnover rates, and staff in academies can be prey to discriminatory employment practices. Teachers and support staff working in academies deserve the same protection as those working in the maintained sector.The Power of the SponsorThe sponsor gains almost absolute power once a school acquires academy status. They take control of public assets – the buildings and the land.Social SegregationOECD research suggests that where schools systems have a greater diversity of types of school, there is a greater tendency towards more social segregation.An Unproven ExperimentThe academy programme remains hotly contested. Lord Hattersley has warned that academies will create a ‘hierarchy’ of schools.

Chris Hurley ● 2953d

I read about it sometime in February when I heard Ark had bought West London College and also the opening of the Ark primary school at Acton Park.

Libby Kemp ● 2953d

I had a look but couldn't find anything.  Anyway, it surprises me as all the articles I've read are quite positive.

Tania Bapuji ● 2953d

I read that they had screened out at a couple of schools in South London.  Sorry, but too busy to find the article for a few days. Try googling

Libby Kemp ● 2953d

Is it true or just rumour?

Tania Bapuji ● 2953d

They have a reputation for screening out estates from catchment areas.

Libby Kemp ● 2953d

I also wonder what's wrong with ARK. No agenda, just wondering as all reports say the teachers don't want ARK, but nobody actually says what's wrong with it. Anyone know why ARK have such a bad name with the teachers of Acton High?

Tania Bapuji ● 2953d

Yes I have been reading the resports of the sixty plus strikers outside the school yesterday. Are they all staff do you think? Where are the pupils? Is it holiday time?

Maire Lowe ● 2953d

They are still breathing ... but on strike because of the proposed ARK takeoverhttp://www.actonw3.com/default.asp?section=info&page=actahs002.htm

Paul Webster ● 2953d

Dunno. The Oracle said that ARK would take over only if he and his colleagues were no longer breathing.

Maire Lowe ● 2985d

Would it be a bad thing if they did?ARK seem quite good as academy chains go.No agenda - literally just asking.

Sara Nathan ● 2985d

Happy to say I met an Oracle today & was told definitely that ARK are not taking over Acton High.

Maire Lowe ● 2988d

Happy to report I met the oracle today and am assured that ARK are not taking over Acton High.

Maire Lowe ● 2988d

Apologies I "Trumped" - posted something before I checked the facts, didn't realise there was a difference between Free Schools and the Academy Schools.

Libby Kemp ● 2991d

Ark already run two primary schools in Acton Ark Priory & the about to open Ark Byron. Someone asked me yesterday if they are taking over Acton High. Anyone know anything up to date about that?

Maire Lowe ● 2991d

No he's more interested in Free Schools. This is where they are planning to build flats on TOP of the school I believe. Who would want to live on top of a school?!

Chris Hurley ● 2991d

Toby Young does not run ARK

Maire Lowe ● 2991d

This is for an ARK (Toby Young) secondary school.  Apparently LBE sold the site for a "lot of money".  I have tried to find out where the vocational training - engineering, bricklaying etc. has moved, but the college is unable to tell me. We were not told at the Ward Forum that there would also be residential building.  This is a secondary school without any sports facilities.

Libby Kemp ● 2991d