Many years ago I did a survey of "O" level and GCSE Maths papers. All the questions were either theoretical or about white, middle class boys. Fortunately, things have moved on to some extent but having questions which relate to the communities we live in is no bad thing.On the question of "free" schools, the problem is that the "freedoms" being given are not freedom from state intervention, they are freedom from local authority support and oversight. This means that when things go wrong, there is not backup. It also means that local planning becomes increasingly difficult.The £13 million, which could be used to provide better services for all, not just the Northcote ward, is just the beginning. WBC has said that they are also planning to buy Putney Hospital for a primary school and they hope that, having spent the money, they will be able to pass the building over to a group which hasn't yet been formed. Talk about ideology gone made. I find it odd that WBC are so keen to get rid of education and so keen to adopt health. I thought that they had good experience in the former and absolutely none in the latter.
Jane Eades ● 5184d