Islington Tribune - by MARK BLUNDEN Published: 8 June 2007
Inquiry into city academies
A MAJOR inquiry into the government’s controversial city academies programme will take place on Tuesday. Campaigners from across the country will attend the meeting at the House of Commons, chaired by Labour MP Ken Purchase, a leading critic of the scheme.
Those due to give evidence to the inquiry, supported by the Anti-Academies Alliance, include barrister David Wolfe, from Cherie Blair’s Matrix Chambers, journalist Francis Beckett, and education writer Fiona Millar.
Two academies are planned for Islington, one sponsored by the Diocese of London at St Mary Magdalene Primary School in Holloway, and the other at Islington Green School, sponsored by the City of London and City University.
The inquiry will be held in Committee Room 20 at the House of Commons between 12.30pm and 4.30pm. A report based on the evidence will later be circulated to ministers and the Department for Education and Skills.