Mick Ibbotson wrote this response in reply to David Blunkett's letter in the Star on 29th April 2008.
letter from Mick Ibbotson
David Blunkett’s latest missive in the paper is interesting if not wholly correct. I wonder how many parents he has actually spoken to; they are not against having decent school buildings but seem to be against the crude blackmail attempt in forcing the academy proposal through in order to get them. The first stage of the consultation process was a real success for the school and democracy. From 1500 parents & potential pupils parents they got 15 (fifteen) in favour of progressing and that includes the blatant lies about the new 20 million pound building (which I note has now become only 15million), the laptops to all pupils to take home to encourage family learning and the University as an ‘academy partner’ which has been dispelled already.
I'm a parent of a child at the school and I'm unhappy that the proposal to sell off the school to any private sponsor who will take them is being so actively chased despite the fact it is proven that academies have not worked and not brought the ‘step’ change in improvements they were expected to bring.
Edutrust the proposed sponsor were threw out in Bradford. Ask yourself why? They have also been rejected at Fir Vale by the governors there; so if they are not deemed suitable for Fir Vale or Rhodesway then why should they be allowed to experiment on kids at Parkwood?
Blunkett’s comments about the far left is interesting as he is desperate to be seen as far right in order to get back in with the Labour party hierarchy in order to get his ID cards scam back on track. It’s a real disgrace and for the record I am not a member of any far left organisation although it must be agreed that they seem to care more about the futures of local kids than the current political power brokers. I personally cannot wait for the next stage of the consultation process, when we will see the ‘vision’ and be able to pick it apart and maybe just maybe one of the brokers of it might just be able to answer the odd question about it honestly rather than the spin they put on it as it currently stands.
I end by asking Mr Blunkett a question: Do you agree that Edutrust’s performance in Bradford is one you'd advocate at Parkwood?
Mick Ibbotson
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