West End Letters: Headteacher | Pimlico | Georgina Schueller | Quintin Kynaston

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West End Extra - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published:13 June 2008

Headteacher misses a trick

• WHY is there so much hostility shown to Pimlico “special music” parents (‘Children poisoned against me’, June 6)?
When the funding crisis for this course loomed two years ago, investigations were made into alternative ways to make the course independent from Westminster funding, and to ensure that music could benefit the entire school. After Pimlico went into special measures, Westminster and Jo Shuter hand-in-hand scuppered these plans by refusing to sanction them or enter into any dialogue. On top of this, Westminster has refused to allow the critical mass ensuring “excellence” of 10 per cent selection by musical aptitude. This would have enabled easier funding alternatives.
Westminster gets rid of an area of music excellence, and Jo employs a “Do as I say, not as I do” policy. The academy model is denounced while simultaneously Pimlico is led down that route and Jo wonders why there is criticism. Engaging parents through the media rather than face-to-face is another favourite ploy.
Jo missed an obvious trick.
If only you had been more supportive of our teachers, and not gone to press unjustly slagging Pimlico School off, there may have been more support from parents for a federation with Quintin Kynaston. There has also been much contempt, disrespect and hostility shown to parents, teachers and students.
Meanwhile, Jo seeks Foundation status for QK, to enable those closest to the school to get places regardless of being a Westminster resident or not. I agree that this is fairer. However, since this is not the admissions criteria that Westminster desired, I trust that Westminster will now withdraw its proposed £2million endowment fund for QK should their change of status go ahead.
Georgina Schueller
Pimlico parent

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, West End Extra, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@westendextra.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Wednesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld.
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Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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