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Islington Tribune - by TOM FOOT
Published: 18 April 2008

Move over teachers... here come transition managers

TEACHERS will be known as “transition managers” and “learning community leaders” when Islington Green School is transformed into a business academy in September.
The rebranding of the school began in earnest this week when staff learned of the new regime at what will become the City of London Academy.
But staffing structures at the academy have angered campaigners worried about the direction the school is taking and fearing pupils will be indoctrinated with “management speak”.
Parent Julie Hunt said: “Despite assurances throughout the consultation period by the council that business would not be an obsession, my fears were justified.
“Privatisation looms heavy over our education system. Increasingly, our children are being seen as business units with pound signs written on them.”
She added: “I take exception to the fact that someone has taken a decision that my six-year-old child, if she wants to attend the secondary school on her doorstep, should at the age of 11 be required to attend a school with a business specialism.”
The school will run special diplomas in finance, business administration, manufacturing, retail and information technology.
Marie Claire, spokeswoman for the Campaign for Plain English, said: “I can understand the academy wanting to spread its ethos by using new terminology. But they should remember that they have to make a connection with their audience.”
Islington Council and City University, the academy’s sponsors, said they were not responsible for staffing issues.

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