Tag Archives: st michael’s school

Making the case for fair funding for Haringey's schools

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I’ve been wondering at what point the unfair funding our Haringey children get compared to neighbouring boroughs (i.e. £1000+ per head less!) would force our schools into impossible positions. It’s happening now.

I visited St Michael’s in Highgate because – despite the miracles they have worked with their meagre budget – the coming year is posing a real problem. If the shortfall from unfair funding was made up – they would be able to deliver the schools service that parents expect and children deserve. I don’t know how they have manged up to now. Seems to me, in Haringey, you find that the LEA puts its discretionary funding to those schools who run out of money, so schools who do perform don’t get their fair share.

Anyway – I am going to arrange a meeting with Haringey – for myself, the Head and the Chair of Governors – to plead the case.

I will also write back to the Minister for Schools, Jim Knight, who has just responded to my request that we have a representative on the Review Board looking at school funding to start in 2011. That is where what Gordon Brown called an ‘anomaly’ when I questioned him at PMQs is meant to be ironed out.

But they can’t guarantee that it will be equalised (i.e. that Haringey will get the same as neighbours). And now they won’t allow a rep from Haringey to make sure our voice is heard. Jim assures me that they are well aware of Haringey’s plight. They bloody well should be – as I have screamed it at them on every occasion. Even Haringey Council have lumberingly and lately joined in my call for fair funding.

But awareness that we are being ripped off of £1,000 per pupil is not the same as giving us the money. And give it us before 2011. We need it now!

Rachel Allison selected to fight by-election

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Although I couldn’t attend the hustings (parliamentary debate and votes on the Lisbon Treaty), I am delighted to say that we have selected a fantastic candidate to fight the Highgate ward by-election.

Rachel Allison is our choice to be the next councillor for Highgate and Archway. She is a worker, with a passion and a knowledge for the local area and the drive and determination to make a difference for local people on the council.

Rachel is intimately involved with the life of Highgate and Archway. She has lived in Claremont Road, Highgate for twelve years – having first moved to Haringey in 1986. Her children attend St Michael’s Primary, and she has recently been appointed as a Governor of Blanche Neville, another Highgate school.

Rachel cares passionately about the environment – double points for that as it is a crucial issue for myself too! She has an allotment on Shepherds Hill, drives a hybrid car and is a member of Friends of the Earth and the Organic Association.

With a hugely varied career and range of talents, Rachel has worked as a freelance video producer and copywriter – but her skills don’t end there. She has recently created a cold sore remedy!

So – off we go. It’s fantastic to have such an amazing candidate step forward for the area. Lots of doors to knock on and leaflets to deliver through till polling day!