The first London Development Agency backed ‘Mayoral education Academy’ is to open in Edmonton at Turin Grove School next September it was announced yesterday.
The academy is expected to be the first of several opened with the backing of Mayor of London Boris Johnson and will be sponsored by a partnership between the LDA and Academies Enterprise Trust (AET).
Johnson has pushed ahead with plans for the academies despite criticism from members of the London Assembly, including a number of Tory AMs who have publicly called on him to pursue and ‘small government’ approach to his administration.
Green Party AM Darren Johnson accused the Mayor of “making a big mistake in funding academy schools”, adding: “They reduce local accountability and there is no evidence that they provide a better education. A recent study by the LSE found that the performance of academies was ‘statistically indistinguishable’ from that of similar comprehensives.”
Speaking yesterday the Mayor said: “Every child in London deserves a good education, which is why I’m developing Mayoral Academies to support struggling schools.”
“When Turin Grove opens its doors next September, I want students to feel both challenged and supported to be the best that they can be. They will be able to take full advantage of the strong educational and vocational opportunities on offer. Pupils should hold their heads high and be confident they are part of an exciting new school which their community can be proud of.”
