Liberal Democrat councillors have criticised the Government’s plans to reform and monitor failing schools in Haringey as severely flawed. Lib Dems say that rather than solving a problem, the new policy will put more pressure on teaching staff in failing schools.

The comments come after Tony Blair uncovered his plans to radically shake up five failing boroughs including Haringey on Monday (12th May) by promising new schools, cheap mortgages for senior teaching staff and ‘zero tolerance’ of bad behaviour from pupils.

However, Lib Dem education spokesperson, Cllr Barbara Fabian (Fortis Green) expressed concerns that the Government’s plans to ‘rebrand’ education in Haringey were far less effective than simply investing more in current services. Last week the Education Support Service (ESS) announced it was facing the axe and many schools have been barely able to cover their costs following the Government’s failure to meet schools rising bills.

Cllr Fabian comments:

“Haringey is failing because money is tight, schools are overcrowded and staff are overstretched. What the Government proposes is another radical shake-up which will put greater pressure on teachers and pupils alike.

“Targeting senior staff for extra financial support has the potential to create an ‘us and them’ culture amongst teaching staff. Listening to teachers is the key and the Labour Government has failed to do that once again.”