Teachers take to picket line in last bid to save school from closure
Teachers took to the picket line this morning for their first day of strike action against their schools closure.
Staff and parents gathered outside Charlotte Sharman Primary School in St George’s Street, Elephant and Castle, holding high banners and placards calling for the council to U-turn on its decision.
Southwark council began consulting on the closure of Charlotte Sharman last month due to falling pupil numbers and a “significant budget deficit”. By early May a council report confirmed that the school would be closed down on August 31.
The National Education Union (NEU) – which represents 24 of the 26 staff at the school – said its members “unanimously oppose” plans to close the school.
An NEU official said: “Despite the grim picture of falling roles across Southwark, Charlotte Sharman is a thriving community school with the vast majority of its places filled.
“It’s unclear why it has been singled out for closure. The council should be working with unions to demand that the government provide funding to help keep schools open, not coming up with reasons to close them.
“Our members hope the council will listen to parents and staff and commit to keeping the school open.”
Today marks the first of five days of industrial action set to continue tomorrow as well as June 3, 4 and 5.
Members of Southwark Liberal Democrats were also in attendance at the protest, including cllr Maria Linforth-Hall and cllr Graham Neale who previously wrote to Southwark’s Cabinet Member for Education to urge a re-think.
According to the Lib Dems, Southwark council has formally agreed to issue a notice of closure for the school but it has not yet been served – meaning there is still a chance to save the school.
Cllr Neale, who represents St George’s Ward, said: “I’m proud to be standing with teachers and families to protest this closure – we won’t stand by whilst the heart is ripped out of our communities by this Labour council. We’ll keep fighting for homes that local families can afford to stay in, and to keep our schools open.”
Cllr Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Refugees said the Labour council was “determined” to keep school standards high in the borough.
She said: “Having full schools is vital to this as national school funding is per pupil, which means that after they have paid for the teacher and building, schools with half-empty classrooms simply can’t afford all the extras needed to provide a great education.
“We work closely with all of our schools and parents to get those decisions right.
“Even during a closure consultation, other options may still emerge. Our priority is making sure children continue to receive a high-quality education in strong, sustainable schools.
“Charlotte Sharman’s pupils and families will be fully supported through this process.”
Pictured top: From left, Fabio Tresoldi, Cllr Graham Neale, Cllr Rachel Bentley, Cllr Maria Linforth-Hall, and Jacquie Gilmartin (Picture: Southwark Lib Dems)
