Remember Downhills Primary School? This was the underperforming school in Haringey that became a political battleground towards the end of last year. On one side was Michael Gove and the coalition, proposing that Downhills — and schools like it — become academies, as that’s how to boost academic performance. On the other was the local MP, Labour’s David Lammy, as well as the school hierarchy and various union types, all apoplectic at having academy status ‘imposed’ from above. Harsh words were traded, meetings were convened, and little was resolved by it all.
I mention this now because, late yesterday afternoon, something was actually resolved in Haringey: Downhills was put in ‘special measures’ by OFSTED — which effectively means that it’s failing and needs help to be pulled up again. The headmaster has since resigned, although the board of governors are staying put.
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