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From left: Rhian Jenkins, Douglas Ebbage, Jason Curtis, Unison’s Mike Calvert, Robert Collins and (front) ISEP service manager Dave Stone |
Playground builders’ jobs saved
Headteachers defend project which creates schools’ outdoor learning areas
THE private company which runs Islington schools has been forced into a climbdown over plans to axe a revolutionary playground building service that has been running for more than 30 years.
Cambridge Education (CE) has backtracked on proposals to sack five staff at Islington Schools Environment Project (ISEP), which builds playground equipment for schools.
The service will be taken over by Islington Council from September.
ISEP was set up by Barbara Ryan, headteacher of Laycock Primary School in Barnsbury, in 1974 in reaction to the way art was taught at the time.
The project, which involved schoolchildren and students from St Martin’s College, aimed to transform children’s playgrounds from concrete “drill yards” into imaginative learning spaces.
Over the years it grew, taking on playgrounds at schools throughout Islington and beyond, with a workshop based at Robert Blair School in Holloway.
It was taken over by CE in 2000 but this year learned that the firm planned to shut down its manufacturing wing, claiming it did not fit in with its “business mould”. Only two staff would be retained.
ISEP staff say no explanation was given for the closure plan. But after trade union Unison became involved, CE announced last week that the service would be taken over by the council.
Unison branch secretary Mike Calvert said: “ISEP was revolutionary when it was thought up 30 years ago. Unison and the staff believe this service is well worth defending.
“Unison thinks the natural place for a service like this is within the family of council-provided services. We are sorry CE disagrees with us but feel that bringing the service back in-house is the most positive outcome any of us could have hoped for.
“The staff have been magnificent throughout and so have those headteachers who emailed me behind the scenes to defend this wonderful service.”
A Cambridge Education spokesman said: “Construction is not part of Cambridge Education’s future business plan. We offer design and consultation.
“For this reason, Islington Council and ISEP will make a much better fit.”
A council spokesman said: “The details of the transfer are currently being discussed. The really good news is that this means no jobs will be lost.
“The council looks forward to strengthening its relationship with ISEP to help develop quality outdoor learning environments in schools.” |
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