Just before Christmas, I was sent a spreadsheet setting out how much ‘Pupil Premium’ will be received by local schools next year. The Pupil Premium is a Lib Dem initiative to target extra money at schools in the most disadvantaged areas. Next year each school will receive£600 for each pupil in receipt of free school meals. The money can be spent however the headteacher thinks best – and will benefit the whole school.
According to the Government data, our three local primary schools are are due to receive significant sums:
- Weston Park Primary School on Denton Road will get £18,000
- St Aidan’s Primary School on Albany Road will get £23,400
- Stroud Green Primary School on Woodstock Road will get £107,400
Because of the way the Pupil Premium is targeted, Haringey is a massive beneficiary - with £8.8 million planned to go to our schools in 2012-13. Nearby High Schools used by Stroud Green children will also get large sums – for instance Hornsey Girls School is getting £385,000, Highgate Wood £270,000 and the Grieg City Academy £378,600. Schools in the east of Haringey, where over two thirds of pupils can be on free school meals, will quite rightly receive very large amounts of Premium.
For five years I was a governor at Weston Park Primary School, and chair of the schools resources committee – so I know that this money will make a big difference and will be put to good use in our local schools. It’s great to have some good news about school funding amongst all the gloom in these very difficult times.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The Friends of Stationers Park have organised a public meeting with the Council’s new bin contractor Veolia, to discuss the ugly fenced depot they have been allowed to build in the middle of Stationers Park. The meeting will be this Tuesday evening (15th) at 7.30pm in the Hornsey Vale Community Centre on Mayfield Road and is open to all members of the public.
Council officers have revealed the results of the consultation to extend the Stroud Green Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) into the vale roads north of Ridge Road. 54% of respondents were in favour of the expansion with 42% against (and 4% unsure). There were 186 responses.
The Council’s consultation on whether or not to extend resident’s parking controls into the Hornsey Vale area closes in the next few days. Therefore, I’m urging all residents on the affected roads to have their say on this controversial issue.
Last week I attended an ‘emergency’ meeting of the Friends of Stationers Park to discuss the state of the park, which has declined rapidly since Reg the park keeper retired. High on residents’ list of concerns is the large metal fence that Veolia (the Council’s new waste contractor) have been allowed to erect round the old maintenance hut. It is very ugly and visible across large parts of the park. It seems to have been put up without any warning, consultation or planning permission.