Parents rejoice as government scraps plan to force Snaresbrook Primary to become academy
About 20 pupils and parents gathered outside the gates of Downing Street to hand in the petition - Credit: Archant
The organiser of a group of parents who rallied against government plans to change a school into an academy has said he is “delighted” plans have been dropped.
Parent Paul Daintry (left) and MP John Cryer, in blue shirt - Credit: Archant
Proposals to turn Snaresbrook Primary, in Meadow Walk, South Woodford, into an academy have been halted, according to the Department for Education (DfE).
Paul Daintry, 48, of Granville Road, South Woodford, headed the campaign against the changes and was one of six to hand in a petition with more than 2,500 signatures to Downing Street.
Jubilant
“We are delighted,” Paul said. “We wanted the opportunity to show it’s a great school. It is already improving and now it has being given the chance to continue improving and that’s fantastic.”
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Paul, together with his nine-year-old son, Will, who is in Year 4 at Snaresbrook, and four others went to give in the petition supported by 20 more students and parents at the gates of Downing Street on Tuesday.
John Cryer, MP for Leyton and Wanstead, said he would continue campaigning until he had the dropping of the plans in writing.
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He said he still planned to go ahead with a debate in Parliament today (Thurs) against the school becoming an academy.
The school was put into special measures in June by Ofsted, but improvements have since been made.
A DfE spokesman said: “Snaresbrook does not have a history of underperformance and has made significant progress. We therefore do not plan to intervene to convert it to an academy.”
However, the spokesman did say the school would be closely monitored.
