Islington News: Eleanor Schooling | Cambridge Education | Director of Children’s Services | Row

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 16 January 2009

Eleanor Schooling

Row erupts over top Town Hall job for education firm boss

Critics warn of potential for ‘conflict of interest’

A DIRECTOR of the private company running Islington’s schools has been handed a top council job, sparking a conflict of interests row at the Town Hall.
Eleanor Schooling will remain an employee of Cambridge Education but has been officially seconded to the role of Islington’s director of children’s services.
She will replace Paul Curran, who took early retirement amid reports of a £100,000 pay-off.
Senior council figures admitted last night (Thursday) that there was the potential for a clash of interests but insisted Ms Schooling would be kept away from negotiations over Cambridge Education’s contracts with Islington.
The company is in line to net two extra years on its present deal, which will mean it manages the borough’s education department until 2013.
Sceptics said the appointment risked looking like an “inside job”.
Former Lib Dem finance chief Councillor Andrew Cornwell said: “Cambridge Education is a private contractor supplying services to the council, so I have deep concerns about the conflicts of interest that may arise. Eleanor Schooling is an excellent manager and a very talented individual, but she will find it hard to serve both a commercial organisation and the public interest.”
He added: “This critical post should be advertised to find the best candidate in open competition, in line with the council’s equalities policy.
“It is particularly important in the wake of the Baby P scandal in Haringey that we attract the right person, rather than rely on an ‘inside job’.”
Labour’s shadow education spokesman Councillor Richard Watts said: “It’s barely credible that the director of children’s services will have little or no input into negotiations about the people who run Islington. The council’s most senior officer involving children must have some say over who is managing our education department.”
He added: “I’m unconvinced that Cambridge Education’s contract should be expanded without wider consultation.” The possibility of an in-house team running schools should be considered, he said.
Trade union Unison deputy secretary Andrew Berry said: “We’d prefer the service to be back in-house.”
Lib Dem council leader Councillor James Kempton defended the appointment. “We’re clearly aware of the potential for there to be a conflict and we’re making arrangements to be sure that Eleanor will be able to do her job and that this won’t be a barrier,” he said.
“We’re confident that this is the best arrangement to improve standards in schools and children’s services.”

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: