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Birmingham School rejects ARK as Academy sponsor

IMC Birmingham | 15.09.2008 23:06 | Education | Workers' Movements | Birmingham

The Governing Body and the Head Teacher at Harborne Hill School, Birmingham, have rejected Absolute Return for Kids (ARK), the controversial sponsors of the proposed Harborne Academy, from taking over their school.

The Governing Body unanimously voted to stop ARK after it emerged that they were intent on destroying vital educational ties with local partnerships and organisations built up by the school over years. They were also shocked to find out that, despite Birmingham City Council saying that staff terms and conditions were ‘sacrosanct’, ARK refused to give any meaningful guarantees to their prospective employees. This means that ARK can refuse to acknowledge unions or any national agreements on pay and conditions. Their short track history so far has shown their contempt for their employees.

Newswire Reports: Harborne Hill School rejects ARK as Academy sponsor – so should St Alban’s! | Oppose Orimiston Academy!

Related News: Occupation of ARK by Wembley teachers in pictures | Furious parents occupy the lobby of venture capitalist firm | Video: Smash School Privatisation: The Wembley Tent City Eviction

Previous Feature: Teachers Occupation Defends Wembley Sports Ground From Privatisation



ARK currently run 4 schools in London but seems to be having resistance opening their next school in Wembley. Local residents and school staff have occupied the land of the proposed building site, a community sports ground, for over 6 months. The venture capitalists, headed by Arki Busson, (a French multi-millionaire playboy who’s recently engaged to actress Uma Thurman) also plan to open 2 academies in Birmingham by 2009 and another in Redbridge by 2012 with plans for many more.

Birmingham City Council have now agreed that ARK are unacceptable for the children and staff at Harborne Hill. ARK will no longer be sponsoring the proposed Harborne Academy. Yet despite all this, Birmingham City Council still promotes ARK as a sponsor for the proposed Academy at St Alban’s School! If Birmingham City Council agrees that ARK are not right for Harborne Hill, why do they think that ARK are acceptable for the students, teachers and other staff at St Alban’s?

The debacle at Harborne Hill proves the danger of handing our schools over to unaccountable interest groups. ARK are not acceptable for our schools, and Academies not acceptable for our kids.

IMC Birmingham


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