Education chief quits Islington council
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE DIRECTOR of education at the council involved in the biggest privatisation of state education has resigned.
Andy Roberts has decided to leave Islington council in north London after just over a year to take a similar job in Wokingham, Berkshire. His departure was disclosed as another London authority, Haringey, said that it could become the first to challenge ministerial attempts to privatise it.
Local authority leaders said yesterday that the Government's policy of privatisation in local education authorities was "coming unstuck".
Islington denied that the decision by Mr Roberts would jeopardise the privatisation of all its education services. Insiders said that Mr Roberts' position had become impossible.
Inspectors backed the privatisation of most of the services in Islington but did not recommend intervention in Haringey. However, Haringey has just received a letter from civil servants suggesting that it should call in consultants who would consider privatisation of some of its services.
Bob Harris, the authority's lead member for education, said that it would not be railroaded into privatisation.
A senior government source said that it was still consulting on Haringey.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments