Haberdashers' East Dulwich - 751 families supporting

[hpsaucey]

intexasatthe moment Wrote:

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> But what you get when you do away with LEA's and

> hand over provision ,and tax payers money , to

> private " sponsors " .

Hear hear!

[Fuschia]

Harris ED is a different thing altogether and was in wave 4 or earlier

Harris nunhead is in wave 5 and was approved earlier this year

'

Harris Federation Free Schools

The successful academy chain Harris has had 2 London primary schools approved today. One 630-place school in will be located in Tottenham Hale and the other over 420-place school in Southwark. The schools will both have a literacy specialism. As part of the Harris network, they will benefit from sharing curriculum teaching and learning practices, pastoral practices and administrative services.'

[Fuschia]

http://www.harrisfreeschooleastdulwich.org.uk/50/academy-news/article/11/building-announced-for-new-harris-primary-school-in-east-dulwich

'School Site Announced

The former East Dulwich police station has been secured by the government for the new Harris Primary Free School in the area.

The new school will open for Reception children in September 2014. It will be housed on a separate site until the new building is completed. Design and construction will be led by the Education Funding Agency.

Sir Dan Moynihan, Chief Executive of the Harris Federation said:

?The school will meet the significant demand from local families for new, high-quality places in East Dulwich. Our belief is that children thrive at Primary School when they are consistently happy and safe. The building will have fantastic new facilities, which we are all looking forward to.?

?When the petition for the new school in East Dulwich was put together by Cllr Barber, there was so much support that it justified a new school for the Nunhead area. This was approved last week and will open in September 2015.?

Cllr James Barber, who led the campaign for a new Harris primary school in the area said:

?I could not be more delighted that the Harris Federation, working with the government Department for Education and GLA, have come up trumps for East Dulwich with a permanent new free primary school site.'

[samstopit]

If you haven't seen it, the parents steering group for the Habs campaign have sent a letter to Michael Gove asking for clarity on the Dulwich Hospital site and stating the case for a secondary school rather than a primary. Suggest we all like and share on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/NewSchDulwich

It's also on twitter @NewSchDulwich

[cactus]

Concur with various posters, particularly with intexasatthemoment. Renata's post isn't particularly helpful, I'm interested in James's response, as it would appear that he's been very much involved in both Harris Primary bids.

[James Barber]

Apologies but this will be a long post.

The Southwark Council forecast for primary school reception places is that the gap in the wider Dulwich area by 2016 (it has not peaked this year Renata) will be 215-235 places. To solve this gap East Dulwich Lib Dem councillors found a site for the Judith Kerr school which is currently providing 50 reception places per year (and we need to campaign to ensure they get the whole site from the Dulwich Estate), Harris East Dulwich Primary school 60 receptions places per year. The council have expanded Langbourne and changes it name to make it more appealing - 30 reception places. Belham opening in 2015 would relieve Goose Green of hopefully 30 reception places per year. That makes 170 places. So a second Harris primary school targeted to relieve the admissions black hole around the Harris East Dulwich Girls Academy has been approved bringing us to 230 places by 2016.

We contacted many different school providers none of whom were interested in setting up new local primary schools in East Dulwich. This was when I understood The Charter School had zero expansion plans for any new schools. Only the Harris Federation would consider this. The explained what they and the process would require and frankly they didn't expect us to succeed. But they delivered what they promised if we did.

When we were originally campaigning for the Harris East Dulwich Primary school to have a site we anticipated it being on the Dulwich Hopsital Site. Dealing with an intransigent NHS Property Agency brought me to the realisation that either they'd need a strong nudge to make it happen or the extended timelines they proposed would be needed. WE didn't have the time for all their games and the nudging I attempted was thwarted by NHS civil servants. NHS Property told me that my suggestion of joined up government was irrelevant and we'd find another site and schools places wasn't their problem practically or morally with what we then thought the only possible site. So we support the Education Finance Agency and widened the search. Around Christmas we beaveared away with a lot of help from many different people and the former East Dulwich Police station was purchased for the Harris East Dulwich Primary school. At no point has it been suggested that NHS property had moved their position.

After getting the free Harris ED free primary school agreed last year we turned to look at the secondary school place issue as we'd promised we would do. It became crystal clear of the need and we initiated campaign after doing a lot of leg work summer and autumn last year. In February I submitted a Right to Contect the hospital land as another attempt to kick sense into the government use via NHS Property of this land.

It appears NHS Property suddenly behind the scenes became helpful towards hosting the Harris Nunhead primary free school. I suspect this is an attempt to thwart a secondary school on the hospital site as it would reduce the potential sale receipts for NHS Property.

But we have two other sites better placed to house a Harris Nunhead free primary school:

1. 520 Lordship Lane (former Harvester pub) but the Education Finance Agency still feel bruised from their last dealing with the freeholder the Dulwich Estate who only sold a postage stamp for the Judith Kerr school to be housed. The Dulwich Estate charitable aim is to raise cash for private schools even if it means crucifying a new state school

2. Harris East Dulwich Girls School. No land costs. Lots of existing facilitates that could be shared. Complicated timings with the Harris East Dulwich free primary school being temporarily housed their from this Septembers for a year.

So I welcome the New East Dulwich Secondary School Steering Group letter to Michael Gove. I have asked the council leader Peter John to make it clear to the Educational Finance Agency, Harris Federation and Dulwich Estate that in planning terms the two other sites I've mentioned (520 Lordship Lane and Harris ED Girls Academy) would be acceptable.

It would be a shame and painful to have to withdraw East Dulwich Lib Dem support from the second local Harris free primary school and seek its supporters to do the same. We need this school in the area but close to where the gaps are. BUT for East Dulwich a secondary school is needed even more. Hopefully we won't reach this point. Which is why in the end it may be that both schools could be housed on the hospital site however daft putting the Harris Nunhead free primary schools there might be.

[TE44]

James, seems Dan moynihans can tackle the NHS, who knows, could be an another extra job on top of CEO for harris

and employed ny ofsted.

http://m.hsj.co.uk/5071090.article

[LondonMix]

I have been trying to keep an open mind about the free school system as flawed as it is but the behaviour of Harris and Charter have convinced me it's totally unworkable in its current format.

The request a few pages earlier to support both Charter and Habs and the let the DofE decide clearly is designed to stop the petty fighting for support. However, this is totally anathema to the ideology of free schools which is parents should be deciding and the DofE simply approving that choice is in line with national guidelines. Behaving Central govt choose schools for local parents is crazy and people should be supporting the school they want not just every school that hopes to make an application.

Harris's behaviour in this strikes me as really underhand and reprehensible. That they would try to get there hands on a site that was in active discussion for use as a secondary school for the area by local representatives shows a total lack of consideration for local needs and desires.

Locating the Nunhead school that far west into East Dulwich is clearly not ideal for addressing the Nunhead shortage. The fact this may prevent a local asset with local support from being created by the community is really appalling and I have zero doubt that Harris were fully aware of the plans local parents had for the sure when making their approach.

We are very luck to have such involved councillors and parents in this area and if even with all of that in our favour, the I system cannot work, then to me it's fundamentally flawed. The schools involved (excluding Habs who I can't say have behaved badly) are all too self interested rather than considering the needs and desires of the community.

[James Barber]

Many head teachers and similar do some part-time work for Ofsted. It helps maintain their understanding of the inspection regime. A number council officers certainly used to do this as well. Haven't spoken to them recently.

[TE44]

James is there many that advise NHS, I find it suspicious Tribal (one of ofsteds

contracters) who Moynihan is e employed, after visiting a school in Battersea which is then closed, will

open this year as a Haarris. This was spoken about earlier in thread. And now we have an Nhs site, which you yourself

seem baffled to thhe change of heart. I believe the article i've posted above, dated day after Goves reply,connecting Moynihan as a model for Nhs. James do you believe Harris have behaved fairly.

[EastDulwichSE22]

So we need James to confirm in black and white if Harris is definitely intending to open a primary on the Dulwich hospital site ( to ensure Gove hasn't made an error in his letter ) and then take action to voice our concerns over this.

Thank goodness we were alerted to this otherwise we would have been none the wiser.

[James Barber]

Hi TE44,

I believe Harris have behaved fairly. The Education Finance Agency who have to find and provide a site to Harris isnt convinved Southwark Council would grant planning for a permanent primary school to be added to Harris East Dulwich girls Academy - despite the locaiton being where the former swimming pool used to be. The EFA also feel pretty stung by the Dulwich Estate from their dealing to provide a site for the Judith Kerr biligual German free primary school.

So I can see why the EFA have done this. I just think it isn't the right solution.

Southwark Council as the planning authority could unlock the first site with a simple letter if they felt able and minded and the problem is resolved.

Equally Southwark Council could make it clear to the Dulwich Estate that they seek the site for a free school and will change policies accoridngly. That would also nudge that site and Dulwich Estate to talk.

Hence last night I asked the council leader Cllr Peter John to intervene and take the opportunity for the council to show some leadership on this issue.

Hi EastDulwichSE22,

B&W The EFA intend for Harris to establish the Harris Nunhead fre priamry school on this site. So Gove has acted in good faith on the basis of information provided by the EFA to him.

[LondonMix]

James are you saying the EFA selects sites for school without their consultation / sign off?

Is the reason Southwark won't grant permission for the school on the existing ED Harris site because they prefer to expand Ivydale or are both the new Harris Nunhead and the permanent expansion of Ivydale required?

[James Barber]

Hi LondonMix,

I'm saying the EFA are accountable for finding sites and providing them for schools. The Judith Kerr school is a great example where they didnt acquire the whole site. The EFA handed the Judith Kerr schoola contract where they are contractually bound by the Dulwich Estate to never raise this issue of having next to no space for children.

It is not an ideal arrangement in the specifics or generality. Schools should have far more influence in the process. This is partly why federations are doing better as they have more resources to make it work.

[Belle]

Side issue, but on Judith Kerr: they have been consulting about plans for a big redevelopment of the site I think. Are these subject to Dulwich Estate approval?

[James Barber]

Yes Belle.

[albert]

http://jamesbarber.mycouncillor.org.uk/2012/01/20/dulwich-hospital-the-future/

[first mate]

James, so two school sites proposed for a hospital site. How much will be left for healthcare provision? Again vital local resources are being overly skewed in one direction. Remember all these families and children will also have health needs and there is also a growing elderly population who will also need looking after....cottage hospital anyone? Is the idea that everyone gets bussed to Kings or Lewisham? Medical Centres and GP Practices appear to be bursting at the seams. Really feel this is short termism at its worst.

[Belle]

First Mate, I believe the Dept of Health has indicated how much space they need for the services they need to perform on the site, and that leaves ample room for the secondary school.

[James Barber]

Hi first mate,

At the last two Dulwich Community Councils the Southwark Clinical Commissioning Group stated they thought they would need 7,000-9,000m2 of the site. The site is 28,300m2 but suspect useable 27,000m2. Currently health services at Dulwich Hospital site occupy 2,500m2 of floor space. But they anticipate new health facilities having 3 floors.

So this would result in a significant and dramatic increase in locally provided health services - circa 3-5 times the current floor area in use.

But I'm still hopeful we'll find a better site for the Harris Nunhead free primary school. This would maximise the space available for a secondary school.

[Otta]

Is there any chance of one provider offering primary and secondary?

[Inkmaiden]

I assumed this was what Harris was trying to do by acquiring the hospital site for a primary- they would then be in a good position to say they are the logical choice for a secondary on the same site. Sneaky!

[James Barber]

Hi Inkmaiden,

When I told Harris we were asking Haberdashers' Aske's to provide a new East Dulwich secondary school they were clear they didn't see a need and they had no plans to try and provide another secondary school in the area.

Please don't get carreid away with conspiracies.

Hi Otta,

The only way that would happen is if Harris decided to apply to open another local secondary school and last time I checked they had no such plans. Truth be told they'd much rather build Harris Nunhead on their Homestall Road site. The hospital site is not their idea.

[first mate]

James,

Yes that all sounds very reassuring but the improvements made to provision now on offer is unlikely to match what the hospital used to offer and that was for a smaller population than we have now. I am not convinced and I note your careful phrasing as to what the CCG 'thinks' they might need and how growth of services is 'antcipated'. Additionally, who knows what political pressures have been brought to bear to ensure more of the site is used for education- CCG's are 'partnerships' after all. The NHS is cash strapped as are the local council that is why this site is key all round.

Will the 'dramatic' increase in provision include hospital beds and halfway house care for the elderly (as was the case). Yes, we need schools but we also need healthcare that sits between GP Practices and acute admissions in hospitals (and let's face it Kings is groaning under the burden of all that). What about a cottage hospital- has this ever been looked at?

[Inkmaiden]

Hardly getting carried away with conspiracies, more idle speculation based on Harris's ever-continuing expansion in SE London.

However, thank you for clarifying Harris's position on the secondary.