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Excellent news today that Beckenham girls school Cator Park has revealed it intends to become an academy, with Harris its possible priority as it already has ties with the education specialist. Reports in the NewsShopper today (which i'l edit in here once back on pc - as I'm writing this on the train on my phone) suggest that the Head of Cator Park has written to Bromley Council with her and the school's governors intentions to hold a public consultation and move forward as quickly as possible.

When we attended their open day a month or so a go, the Head left an open question in the air as to what parents thought about Harris involvement and academies and I was very impressed with how she has turned Cator round and sees the big picture and that funding and ethos of academies like Harris can transform not only schools, but parents attitude and desires to make a school the best and their first choice on the CAF form.

So while Kelsey Park Sports College drags its feet, Bromley Council collude with other Bromley borough schools to try and maintain a status quo, that keeps them happy, but not thousands of Beckenham parents who so need top performing schools in their part of the borough, Cator Park School for Girls has been brave and bold. I wish them well and hope Harris is chosen and it's all done and dusted in less than a year. It was not our first choice, but it is our closest school. If it was a Harris Academy that would change.

More details to follow...

Tags: academy, beckenham, bromley, cator park, council, education, girls, harris, newsshopper, school

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Ah Reg, as I wasn't there for the first meeting (my invite was to the second) and was just observing the comment on Sophie's review I was indeed thinking and meaning those who asked questions, and yes there were lots more parents there all with their own thoughts. I think you are being pedantic, but i'm writing this with a smile and not chastising you. As far as the CPZ goes in 2009, the majority of those who voted in some roads did tip the balance of fors or againsts, but it wasnt every household or even car owner that replied, and our democratic way is to take the result of whoever votes, but as we all know it's not the definitive for or against for something unless all these things were made compulsory to answer. I'm amazed that a handful of people can galvanise the council to set up a CPZ review (money in it for the council), yet 1000+ parents can't get sense out of elected officials or recourse to their views on education of their own children in Beckenham i.e Kelsey Park Sports College. Oh that's because the council would lose money, and annoy constutuents in their part of the borough they come from. That's politics I guess for you. I admire those that take action and even those that stand for public office, but when it becomes a self serving office then it should be looked at, challenged, changed and made better.

Cator Park have also announced their decision on their website - http://www.catorpark.bromley.sch.uk/content/AcademyStatusfromSeptem...

 

Congratulations to the Head and Governors of Cator Park on their decision.

 

Fiona

This one mattered more to us as it's closer than Kelsey and it's marvellous news all round. If Harris does for Cator what it has at its other schools like Crystal Palace then the kids who pass through in the years to come will be very very lucky. Our part of SE London will now very much be over the next few years the place to live and bring up children of all ages, it surely will be an education hotbed! Well done Governors and Head and of course thank you Harris.

Information concerning a meeting at Cator and more info has been posted on The Harris Federation web site - all details on this link:

http://www.harrisfederation.org.uk/138/announcements/announcement/1...

Fiona

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