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5.12.05
Lib Dem Education spokesperson Cllr Gail Engert has expressed deep concern at Government figures that show a number of primary schools in the borough continue to struggle despite slight improvements to Haringey's overall score.
The figures that were released by the Department for Education and Skills on Friday (2nd December) shows that Haringey has improved its average Key Stage 2 test results from 214 last year, to 218 points this year.
However the breakdown of scores school-by-school shows that 22 of the 53 schools assessed have actually seen a drop in scores this year with a number dropping below the borough's average for the first time.
Cllr Engert is concerned that although there have been improvements in some of the traditionally poorer performing schools, many still appear to not be receiving the necessary support from the Government or Haringey Council with poor showings in Labour's league tables simply compounding the pressure on heads teachers and teaching staff.
Cllr Engert says that with the amount of support and money that the Labour-run council and Government claim to be investing there appears to be little excuse for the failings that the league table shows.
She, along with Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone, believe that in order to address the performance of schools, the Government and Council must listen to schools concerns and needs rather than obsessing over league tables.
Cllr Engert comments:
"Some of these figures are of concern, but certainly what is more worrying is the obsession Labour has with league tables. I have visited a number of schools in the borough and the dedication and hard-work of these teachers is simply being undermined by a Labour Government obsessed with these tables and a Labour Council happy to toe the line."
Cllr Lynne Featherstone MP adds:
"Teaching is about much more than simply jumping through Labour Government hoops. If the Government actually listened to the schools and addressed their concerns, rather than pressurising them with statistics, I am sure we would see a huge improvement in education performance, with or without league tables."
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If you have any comments on this story, please let me know in the space below, or you can email me at lynne@lynnefeatherstone.org
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