After over 2000 Caversham residents signed a petition against free school location at Albert Road Park, this article came to my mind. Do we need a Free School?
Free schools are ‘additional schools’ and were set up in the Academies Act 2010. Free schools are brand new schools which are additional to schools planned and provided for in a local authority area. A free school can be set up by any suitable proposer where there is evidence of parental demand such as a petition or declaration from interested parents. The proposer could be a charity, an academy sponsor, a university, an independent school, a faith group or an edu-business. Free schools will have the same freedoms as academies. Free schools may be run for profit by private companies.
“For example I admire the sentiments behind some of the faith organisations creating Free Schools, however, I suspect that just because you say that a school is open to everyone in reality it will be known as a school devoted to a particular faith and remain closed to those of different faiths and none.”
I have five reservations about free schools.
Free schools undermine local democracy
Funding for free schools will damage funding to other schools
Choice and competition are ideological obsessions, they don’t raise standards but widen inequalities
Free schools could lead to school closures
Free schools lead directly to privatization and education being run by private, profit-making companies
The creation of ‘free schools’ (known as ‘additional schools’ in the Academies Act 2010) are inevitably going to damage the educational provision of other local schools if they attract pupils from them The more academies and free schools you create the less maintained schools get. This creates a two tier school system of the haves and the have not’s, those that can afford to travel to a ‘choice’ school and those that cannot, not very fair or equitable.
It is now almost universally agreed that Finland has the best education system in Europe. Its school system reaches the ideal – it produces both the highest standards and the best equity. There is no competition at all within the Finnish school system. Why is the government not aspiring to this and learning the lessons? Why are they trying to implement policies that have failed in other countries? Is it a case of ideology over evidence and pragmatism?
In the recent Reading local elections, the Labour Party’s vote seems to have hit a standstill, as they maintained their council majority with 25 seats, the same figure as in previous elections. Despite their success in reclaiming the Emmer Green seat with Daya Pa Singh, the party faced a setback with the loss of their sole remaining seat in Katesgrove to the newly elected Green councillor, Kate Nikulina.
This stagnation in the Labour vote could be attributed to various factors, including voter disillusionment with national party policies, local issues, or shifts in demographics within the constituency & war of Gazza. The loss of the Katesgrove seat may indicate changing attitudes or preferences among constituents in that area, potentially reflecting dissatisfaction with Labour’s representation or a growing appeal of the Green Party’s platform.
Contrastingly, the challenging circumstances faced by the Tory party did not seem to translate into electoral gains. Despite an increase in Conservative numbers in areas like Abbey ward, it was insufficient to secure victory. This suggests that while there may be pockets of increased support for the Tories, it was not widespread enough to significantly impact the overall election outcome. Furthermore, the Tories managed to retain a similar level of voter support overall, indicating resilience in maintaining their base despite prevailing challenges.
Several key factors have driven this change: most recently, the substantial student population from the esteemed University of Reading and the Muslim community, both visibly disheartened by Sir Keir Starmer’s stance on the Gaza conflict. Moreover, the current Green Councillor Doug Cresswell and Councillor Louise Keane from the area have actively engaged with and supported the community, earning widespread appreciation.
In last night’s local election, the sole remaining non-Green seat in this ward was claimed by the new Green councillor, Kate Nikulina, solidifying the Green Party’s presence in the ward.
Katesgrove, much like other areas with a large student presence, has historically leaned towards progressive values, often aligning with the Labour Party’s stances on education, social justice, and healthcare. However, the transient nature of student residency and the diversity of political views within this demographic pose a challenge for maintaining unwavering support.
The University of Reading, renowned for its academic excellence, attracts students from diverse backgrounds and ideologies. While many students may resonate with Labour’s traditional values, others may be drawn to alternative political movements or disenchanted with mainstream politics altogether. This diversity of opinion within the student body presents a unique challenge for political parties seeking to secure their support.
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In addition, the Muslim community in Katesgrove, like elsewhere in the UK, constitutes a significant portion of the electorate (11% much higher than the town average) whose concerns deserve attention. Recent events, particularly the Gaza conflict, have evoked strong reactions within the Muslim community & students with many expressing discontent with Sir Keir Starmer’s perceived stance on the issue. While Labour has historically championed human rights and international justice, criticisms of the party’s response to the Gaza conflict have struck a chord with some voters in Katesgrove.
The emergence of the Green Party in the area signals a shifting tide for what was once a stronghold of loyal voters.
Below, you’ll find the complete compilation of results from May 2nd, 2024 – Reading local elections, providing a detailed overview of the outcomes across all wards and parties involved in the electoral process.
Abbey
Electorate: 6,689 Total votes cast: 1,854 Turnout: 27.75% Spoilt: 13
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
BATCHU Santhosh Kumar
The Conservative Party Candidate
594
STEVENS David
Labour Party
820
Yes
WHITHAM Jamie
The Green Party
250
WRIGHT Henry David
Liberal Democrats
177
Battle
Electorate: 7,648 Total votes cast: 2,047 Turnout: 26.77% Spoilt: 24
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
GRIFFITH Wendy Pamela
Labour Party
1, 290
Yes
GROUT John Berkeley
Liberal Democrats
138
KULSOOM Tahira
The Green Party
386
SOW Abdoulaye Diouma
The Conservative Party Candidate
210
Caversham
Electorate: 7,595 Total votes cast: 2,916 Turnout: 38.39% Spoilt: 14
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Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
BURDEN Christopher Simon
Liberal Democrats
305
STOAKES Chloe-Ann
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
59
TAYLOR Grace Holly
The Conservative Party Candidate
494
WEST Anthea Helen
The Green Party
441
YEO Matt
Labour Party
1,603
Yes
Caversham Heights
Electorate: 7,507 Total votes cast: 3,432 Turnout: 45.72% Spoilt: 23
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
CARNELL Paul Alan
The Conservative Party Candidate
1,183
COSTA-KROL Vania
Liberal Democrats
225
MCGROTHER Jenny
Labour Party
1,405
Yes
MCNAMARA Danny
The Green Party
597
Church
Electorate: 8,361 Total votes cast: 2,117 Turnout: 25.32% Spoilt: 17
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
COLE Mark Clifford
Liberal Democrats
143
HORNSBY-SMITH Andrew
Labour and Co-operative Party
1,241
Yes
PHELPS Adam Iestyn
The Conservative Party Candidate
453
SMITH Brent
The Green Party
263
Coley
Electorate: 7,157 Total votes cast: 2,261 Turnout: 31.59% Spoilt: 12
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
BYRNE Casey George Christopher
The Conservative Party Candidate
444
HILL Jon
Liberal Democrats
190
HOSKINS Isobel Claire
The Green Party
287
KHAN Sadiqua
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
96
TERRY Liz
Labour and Co-operative Party
1,232
Yes
Emmer Green
Electorate: 7,634 Total votes cast: 2,838 Turnout: 37.18% Spoilt: 21
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
DE BOISERIE Pieter Herman M
Liberal Democrats
258
ROBINSON Simon Howard
The Conservative Party Candidate
1,035
ROOKE Wendy Jane
The Green Party
376
SINGH Daya Pal
Labour Party
1,148
Yes
Katesgrove
Electorate: 7,825 Total votes cast: 2,340 Turnout: 29.90% Spoilt: 9
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Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
ANGUS John David
The Conservative Party Candidate
240
CHURCH Sam
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
25
GILL Navjit Kaur
Labour Party
861
MCNEILL Margaret
Liberal Democrats
115
NIKULINA Kate
The Green Party
1,045
Yes
PASCUAL Jean-Louis
Independent
27
TURBERVILLE Michael Jeffrey
Independent
18
Kentwood
Electorate: 6,720 Total votes cast: 2,375 Turnout: 35.34% Spoilt: 13
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
FUDGE Nick
The Conservative Party Candidate
852
HEARST Caroline
The Green Party
240
KEEPING Mark
Labour Party
1,136
Yes
MANCUSO-MARCELLO Riccardo Giovanni
Liberal Democrats
134
Norcot
Electorate: 7,636 Total votes cast: 2,189 Turnout: 28.67% Spoilt: 8