The latest on the Bolingbroke Academy and Falconbrook saga

By akadri | Wednesday, March 09, 2011, 20:38

Falconbrook Primary School will become a feeder school for the Bolingbroke Academy following controversy that its pupils would be excluded from attending this free school.

Falconbrook Primary School will be a feeder school for the Bolingbroke Academy. Image reproduced courtesy of studio octopi: architects.

Falconbrook is a council estate primary with a significant number of children from less well off backgrounds – and when it was announced it wouldn’t be a feeder school, there was outrage, stemming from concerns that it created a class divide in Battersea.

The GMB say they welcome the decision to make Falconbrook a feeder school - according to their figures, Wix Lane primary school is 0.2 miles further away than Falconbrook but was listed as a feeder school from the outset. The average family at Wixland apparently earns £81,120 compared to £33,280 earned by families whose children attend Falconbrook.

Have you got any opinions on this latest development in the Bolingbroke Academy saga? Do you believe the Neighbourhood School Campaign, who support the school, when they say the school is “non-selective, socially inclusive [and] non-denominational”? Will you be sending your kids to the Bolingbroke Academy? Let us know Battersea People. Architects Studio Octopi mocked up pictures of the Bolingbroke Academy.

Wandsworth Council are paying £13 million for the school, and it’s estimated that it’ll cost £6 million per year in taxes to run the school.

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Comments

Here's some more detail for you: http://tinyurl.com/66zfuv2

By akadri at 11:55 on 18/03/11
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I also understand that Ark won't be paying any rent for the use of the building.

I contacted Ark to get confirmation of the story about Falconbrook's inclusion but they have not responded, so has anyone got any more information than the press story?

Sadly, once a Funding Agreement is signed, there is no guarantee that the feeder schools will remain the same.

On the issue of non-selection. I have asked NSC several times how, if the intake is across the ability range, they plan to achieve a result of 80% 5 A*-C including English and Maths. All they respond is that the teachers will have high aims. In all my years of teaching, I don't think I worked with teachers who didn't aim high. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean you achieve your aims. With a national average of around 50% 5 A*-C, claiming 80% either means the school will be selective or it will focus on the vocational exams which are over-rated in the league tables.

By exteacher at 14:17 on 17/03/11
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