Judge decision on judicial review of Downhills Primary School due next week (From Haringey Independent)

Judge decision on judicial review of Downhills Primary School due next week

3:17pm Friday 10th August 2012 in News By Bruce Thain

A judge will decide next week whether parents will be able to seek a judicial review of Education Secretary’s decision to turn a primary school into an academy.

The Save Downhills Primary School campaign submitted legal papers to the high court asking for a judicial review of Education Secretary Michael Gove’s decision to force the school to become an academy.

Next Tuesday a judge will decide whether parents are able to seek a judicial review to challenge the decision.

Parent Susan Moyse said: “Although this is just the first step in court, it’s a great opportunity for a judge to see that this is a thriving, improving school set to achieve even better results this year.

“He’ll see that our community has been ignored. 94 per cent said no academy, but Michael Gove was determined to push through his academy policy at Downhills.”

Earlier this year Mr Gove ordered that the school must become an academy led by the Harris Federation in September, despite a six-month campaign by parents and staff against the plan.

Campaigners and parents will be meeting outside the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday morning in support of the campaign.