QPCS 3G pitch agreed despite residents' opposition. Danger of crime and gangs cited by headteacher as reasons for after school provision on school premises

 

 I have just caught up with the Planning Committee Meeting that considered and approved plans for a 3G all-weather pitch at Queens Park Community School (QPCS).

It was a controversial application where both sides, Brondesbury Park Residents Association (BPRA)  and QPCS, brought in some big gun experts to advise on their case,  which must have been at considerable financial costs. It was a very lengthy meeting with public representations made on both sides and Cllr Gbajumo speaking on behalf of the 3 ward councillors in support of the school's application.

BPRA had submitted a petition of c300 signatures opposing the application. They pointed out that most objections were from nearby homes whilst supporters were mainly well outside the area. They expressed the view that the views of those that lived nearby should be given more weight but were told that this was not within planning guidance. They noted that only 20% of the 1200 pupils had written in support of the application. 

The speaker on behalf of the BPRA claimed that they had been lied to by the school  throughout their dealings and questioned their integrity.  He asked if the appplication was for the benefit of the school and the local community or mainly for commercial reasons. Out of school hours use would be for 67% of the time.  The headteacher had said the school was cash rich but to make it commercially viable they would have to have the commercial usage applied for.

Cllr Kelcher asked about the potential benefits of the pitch. The BPRA speaker replied that at first they did not want the pitch at all but wanted to negotiate but could not do so because the lines of communication were severed. They felt that other pitches were available in the area and these were more appropriate as not near people's homes. The fact that the pitch would be open until 9pm. Monday to Friday, 6 or 7pm at the weekends, would be harmful to the community and its way of life. BPRA suggested a weekday cut-off of 6pm for both school and community use. Questioned by a councillor he said that if the finish time was 6pm he would probably write a letter of support for the application himself, probably with conditions such as a more enviromentally suitable pitch surface.

There was some discussion about alternative sites with some dispute about how long it would take pupils and residents to walk to Capital City Academy. 

Another local resident addressing the committe said, 'We would like to keep our evenings. Our children's bedrooms will overlook the pitch.' She said that her 5 and 6 year old went to bed at 7.30pm. The school had acknowledged there would be increased noise. She did not have an objection to children, it was adults yelling  from the pitch that concerned her.

A local resident, who said he was a member of the BPRA but had not attended any of their meetings because as far as he knew none had been called, spoke in favour of the application. He lived 250 metres way from the site and loved to hear people playing. He said there was a shortage of pitches in Brent and Kilburn based on his personal knowledge as a football player.  QPCS and Brent had a proud record of providing top players. He had played on the current grass pitch. It was water-logged in the winter and rock-hard in the summer. He spoke of the importance of sport and exercise for people's well-being and physical health.

The headteacher of QPCS, speaking  for the application, said that an all-weather 3G pitch was needed to enable her pupils to access the full physical education curriculum. At present pupils were unable to choose to do A Level PE because the necessary  facilities were not available.  Pupils from poor housing where there was not safe access to outdoors, needed the proposal facility that they could use after school. Brent Council was contributing £95,000 Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levey monies to the pitch deveopment. It would promote health and wellbeing and contribute to pandemic recovery. The school would balance community and commercial interests. 14 community organisations were supporting the provision including Brent Sports, QPR Hub and Brent Centre for Young People. The latter used football to help teenagers express their emotions in life-changing work. She concluded on the public good of the application, 'We all want a better society where young people are no longer at the mercy of local gangs or crime.'

Questioned by councillors the headteacher said Claremont and Capital City had received no complaints about their pitches, despite them having been opposed. Capital was open until 10pm.  Both had been fully booked.

Responding to a question about the need for commercial revenue from after hours lettings she said that the overall  capital cost would be £300,000 with £95,000 of that provided by the council.  The school would be committing £200,000 of its reserves  that trustees/governors would seek to recoup from commercial lettings over the next 3-5 years. This would replenish their reserves for other earmarked uses including school boilers.

The QPCS headteacher outlined to the committee the context of children travelling outside their postcode. Children's safety could be a deal-breaker with parents relecutant to let their children travel outside the area. There was a significant risk for young males from gangs, there were muggings and females risked sexual assault. This meant that provision at school, at the end of the school day was safer and would reassure parents.

There was a limited discussion about environmental concerns regarding the 3G surface of rubber crumb. BPRA had wanted a more envirommentally friendly surface The head said that staff had been concerned about this and were satisfied that the material would have a minimal impact on the environment.

Cllr Erica Gbajumo, speaking on behalf of all three Brondesbury Park Labour councillors said that they supported the proposal. Later opening was necessary because of people's working hours. She invited the committee to agree that some of the BPRA's claims were 'over-the-top'.

Cllr Kelcher, suggested that the councillors were taking a risk, ahead of the May local elections, in supporting the application despite residents opposition. Cllr Gbajumo responded that there were residents in favour but in any case it was not about the election but doing the right thing.

After further discussion the committee agreed suggested amendments to the conditions and voted unanimously in favour of the application.

From Brent Council website:

Granted planning permission subject to the conditions (as amended below) and informatives set out in the report and supplementary agenda:

 

Condition 7 – Community User Agreement to include clarification on the definition of Community Use, the availability of the facility for community use and the cost

 

Condition 9 – Tree report/planting schedule to be amended to allow flexibility in the location of new trees, to allow additional planting between the pitch and Aylestone Avenue and to provide for an increase in the number of new trees to be planted.

 

Officers' Report to Committee LINK

Statement on behalf of Brondesbury Park Residents Association LINK

A video of the Planning Committee discussion on this item (c90 minutes) can be see HERE

 

Queens Park Community School 3G pitch at Planning Committee on Janary 26th - chief planner recommends approval

 BRENT COUNCIL NOTICE

Re: Queens Park Community School, Aylestone Avenue, London, NW6 7BQ 

 

I refer to the planning application for the above site which proposes:- 

 

Construction of an artificial turf pitch, ball stop fencing with access gates, acoustic all weather timber fence, flood lighting units 2 x double floodlights on the half way masts and single floodlights at each of the 4 corner masts (mounted onto 6 steel columns) and a dry pond detention basin and earth bund in a designated area within the school grounds 

 

The application will be formally considered at the meeting of the Planning Committee on 26 January, 2022 starting at 6pm. 

 

As a result of the current regulations allowing the Council to hold meetings of the Planning Committee remotely coming to an end, the Council is now required to hold this as a socially distanced physical (face to face) meeting. 

 

This meeting of the Committee has therefore been arranged to take place in the Conference Hall, at the Civic Centre. 

 

As we are still operating under existing Covid restrictions, capacity within the meeting venue has been strictly limited to ensure compliance with the necessary social distancing guidelines. 

 

We are therefore encouraging those who wish to observe proceedings to continue doing so via the live webstream which we will continue to make available on the Council’s website: 

 

https://www.brent.gov.uk/your-council/democracy-in-brent/local-democracy/live-streaming/ 

 

It is possible to speak at the Committee Meeting, which (in advance of the current restrictions coming to an end) can continue to be undertaken online (including via the telephone) or now, as an alternative, in person at the meeting, subject to the restrictions set out in the Council's Standing Order. These provide for one objector and/or one supporter of the application to speak. The Chair has the discretion to increase this to two people from each side. In doing this, the Chair will give priority to occupiers nearest to the application site or representing a group of people. 

 

To address the committee you must notify Executive and Member Services by 5 pm on the working day before the committee meeting. Please email committee@brent.gov.uk or telephone the Executive and Member Services Officer, Mrs Dev Bhanji, on 07786 681276 during office hours. If you would prefer to attend the physical meeting to speak in person then please could you indicate this when notifying us of your request, as attendance will need to be strictly managed on the night. This may involve you having to wait in a separate area outside of the meeting room until you are called to speak.

The Chief Planner's recommendation for this application is to Grant Consent

 

Cllr Gill taunts "well resourced families'" concerned about QPCS 3G plans

Cllr Gill, (Brondesbury Park), is very dismissive of residents concerned about noise and light pollution from the proposed 3G pitch installation at Queens Park Community School. As well as school and community provision the facility will also be a commercial enterprise open at weekends and until 9pm at night.

On his comment LINK in support of the school's planning application he say on light pollution, 'The very well resourced families opposite can get black-out blinds' and on noise pollution, 'The very well resourced families living opposite can get double or even triple glazing.'

He adds, "Over the next ten years THOUSANDS of people (mainly local CHILDREN) will benefit from this pitch and for only a very small number of people (less than half a dozen families, who are very well-resourced and thus well able to offset the very minor issues this will cause them) will it have any negative impact."

Directing divisive comments at specific local households hardly seems to conform to the standards expected of councillors.

Cash-strapped QPCS Academy withdraws licensing application after residents claimed 'You're turning the school into a pub or night club'

A licensing application made by Queens Park Community School that had  attracted strong opposition from some neighbouring residents as well as minority support from some concerned about education funding cuts has been withdrawn according to the Kilburn Times LINK . An application for a 3G floodlit football training pitch is going ahead. The school said it had 'heard residents concerns' about the licensing application but would use the income from lets of the pitch to the benefit of pupils.

Opponents claimed that the licensing hours of 10am to 23.30 (including 'drink up time') were unreasonable with some claiming that this amounted to a change of use from an educational premises to an entertainment venue. Noise and anti-social behaviour were cited as having a negative impact on a residential area while others questioned whether alcohol should be served when children are present on the premises.

An example of the  objectors' arguments can be found HERE.

Those supporting the application included some governors and ex-governors of the school who said that the school needed to generate an additional income in an era of education cuts and that entertainment offered at the school (live entertainment, recorded music, performance of dance, film screenings) would be to the benefit of the community as well as making an offer of a large venue for weddings, celebrations etc. They claimed that the school has promised sufficient detailed safeguards to address residents' concerns. A example of a supportive comment which details the safeguards is available HERE.

There were 67 objections and 19 supportive comments.

A key aspect of any licensing application is the view of the local police. They objected to the application and listed  conditions that would need to be met if it were to be approved. HERE

Queens Park Community School is not run by Brent Council. It is a Co-operative Society Academy.

 The applications are symptomatic of the increasing desperation of schools to win additional income streams from their premises faced with funding cuts. Brent Council recently took action against local schools that let their playgrounds out for Event Day parking cutting off that additional income stream.

BRILLIANT BRENT! Winners of Brent Schools' 'Speak Out' Challenge - empowering youth

Aisha Abdirahman of Ark Elvin Academy in Wembley (formerly Copland High School) was the winner of Brent's Regional Final of the Jack Petchey 'Speak Out' Challenge! with a speech entitled 'Apologies'.

Tykayla De-Gale of Capital City Academy was runner up at the 2017-18 “Speak Out” Challenge! Brent Regional Final with a speech entitled ‘Gone Too Soon’



Kaliyl Morris of Queen's Park Community School took third place at the 2017-18 “Speak Out” Challenge! Brent Regional Final with a speech entitled ‘Black History Month’

TUSC sweep to victory

The Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) may not have stood in the General Election but this did not stop them sweeping to victory in the election held at Queens Park Community School on Wednesday.

The result was:

TUSC                              123
Labour                              83
Womens Equality Party   56
Liberal Democrats           49
Green Party                      42
Sinn Fein                          17
Spoilt papers                      6

The TUSC candidates Femi and Sean will now meet with the headteacher to discuss their policies asking for shorts to be allowed as regular uniform in hot weather and for the freedom to eat lunches anywhere in school.

TUSC standing in Brent election

When I was a teacher I always enjoyed running mock school elections. They are a great educational resource combining an introduction to democratic processes (and their limitations) and writing, speaking and debating skills. I was interested to see campaigning posters at Queens Park Community School when I attended Education Question Time at the school on Friday.

TUSC is standing in the school election although they are standing down nationally in order to back a Corbyn led government LINK.

The election will be held on June 7th, the day before the General Election proper and I look forward to hearing the result.

These are the Lib Dem and Labour posters. I will be happy to publish any from other parties standing at the school that weren't on display in the foyer.

Investors needed for school solar energy co-op in Brent

Details and documentation HERE

School Solar Energy share offer will be launched tonight at QPCS

 

solar panels installed on a school

A new Brent community energy group are launching a share offer at an event tonight at Queens Park Community School. Brent Pure Energy are organising the event at the school in Aylestone Avenue at 7pm. MP Barry Gardiner is amongst the speakers attending.

Brent Pure Energy is a new innovative community-based project to bring cheap, renewable energy to Brent by putting solar panels on public buildings. Their first project will be at Queens Park Community School (QPCS). Speakers at the launch will be: Barry Gardiner (MP for Brent North), Giles Clark (Primrose Solar), Damian Tow (Brighton Energy Co-op), Mike Hulme (Head of QPCS) and the directors of Brent Pure Energy.

Ian Saville, Chair of Brent Pure Energy said:

We are seeking investors to support the installation of solar panels in local schools, and are delighted to launch our venture at QPCS. Our share offer is a great opportunity for people to invest in clean green solar energy which will benefit schools and the wider community. Shareholders can expect an attractive return of at least 4% on their initial investment - higher than current interest rates from banks or building societies, with the added bonus that the money will also benefit the community and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.

We plan to raise £60,000 for the solar project at QPCS and anticipate that shares will sell quickly - so we encourage people to apply as soon as possible. The minimum investment is  £100.

All are welcome to attend this free event to find out more about Brent Pure Energy and how to get involved or invest. The event will take place at 7pm on Thursday 28^th April in the Conference Room at QPCS, Aylestone Avenue, NW6 7BQ. There will be a bar and light refreshments available. For more information see http://www.brentpureenergy.org.uk/ or email nick@brentpureenergy.org.uk.

The DfE's 'Big Sister' sends another disdainful missive to Gladstone Park

The lofty, superior and high-handed attitude of 'Big Sister' at the DfE can be seen in her latest letter to the Gladstone Park Primary Chair of Governors.

The letter written by Caroline Cane of the Brokerage and School Underperformance Division (now there's a friendly child-centred name for you) is notable for taking a swipe at the National Governors Association:

Firstly, I would like to make it clear that the National Governors’ Association (NGA) guidance mentioned in your letter is not statutory

As an independent body, the NGA’s views and advice do not necessarily reflect the Department’s position on how Academy sponsorship is brokered

So it is not only the governors at individual schools that are ignored but also their National Association. Remember, these are unpaid volunteers who give up hours of their time and despite the DfE's disdain are held accountable for the strategic and financial management of their schools with an ever-increasing workload. It is hard to discern any respect for this in Ms Cane's missive.

She goes on later in her letter:

With regards to your final point on consultation, the Department’s view on when this is most meaningful was set out in my letter of 24 January.  The legislative position on Academy consultation is defined in the Academies Act 2010, not guidance produced by the NGA.  The legislation states that ‘the consultation may take place before or after an Academy order, or an application for an Academy order, has been made in respect of the school.”

That is a wonderful definition of consultation. If it applied to the NHS the surgeon  could 'consult' with you about amputation after she had removed your leg!

It is clear the Big Sister always knows best:

Where a school is underperforming and eligible for intervention, it is not the case that schools are usually given a choice of sponsors. The Department leads on identifying potential sponsors as we have the complete view on individual sponsor's capacity and capability to deliver.

On the possibility of an arrangement with Queens Park Community School via the Cooperative College her remarks have a sting in the tail:

The Co-operative College is not an approved Academy sponsor and our records show we have not received an application from Queen’s Park School .  As a secondary school wanting to sponsor, its GCSE performance and Ofsted judgement would be taken into consideration.  It would also need to demonstrate that it has experience and a proven track record in working with and improving primary schools.  I note that in 2012 the percentage of pupils achieving 5+ A*-C GCSE’s including English and maths at Queen’s Park was 53%.  This is a drop of 9% percentage points compared to 2011 and means it is currently performing below the national average, so this school faces a number of challenges of its own

Mary Arnold: Consider the wider impact of academy conversion

Cllr Mary Arnold,  Lead Member for Children and Families, London Borough of Brent has made the following contribution to Queens Park Community School's debate about academy conversion:


Brent Council is committed to continue to work collaboratively and inclusively with its Family of Schools which is a ‘mixed economy’ of maintained community and foundation schools, including a range of faith schools together with four sponsor academies and more recently three ‘converter’ academies.

The government’s school reform legislation, the huge reduction in capital spending just at a time when population increases demand school expansion in Brent (and London-wide) and the diversion of funding away from local authorities towards academies is changing the education landscape and putting significant pressure on local authorities. Brent will continue to lobby the government on the following issues

 The central importance of local authorities in the strategic planning of school places and Special Educational Needs arrangements ,the regulation of fair admissions and the development of an authority wide school improvement strategy

 The vital role that elected members and local authority governors play in a locally accountable, democratic system

 The need for fair funding allocation for all schools which does not disadvantage maintained
schools in favour of academies and free schools

 The need for a realistic level of capital funding which will address the London-wide shortage
of school places

The government has created financial incentives for schools converting to Academy status.However conversion means the Local Authority’s budget is reduced through a topslice by the Department for Education and this inhibits its ability to deliver statutory requirements particularly impacting on vulnerable children.

In Brent we have much to be proud of and a strong record to maintain:

 education outcomes are continuing to improve at all key stages
 attainment at Key Stage 4 is in the top 25% of authorities nationally within the context of high levels of deprivation
 the gap in outcomes for under-achieving groups in Brent is closing
 permanent exclusions are reducing year on year

This represents fantastic work undertaken by individual schools. However, it isn’t the whole picture. What is special about Brent and has been a key feature of success is the co-operation across Brent’s education community – schools and the local authority – and the sense of collective responsibility.

It is vitally important to maintain high levels of collaboration across Brent’s education community and avoid the risks of fragmentation from academy conversions. The Local Authority continues to have key statutory duties and responsibilities across the whole system and needs to have the capacity to discharge its duties effectively, particularly in relation to the most vulnerable. This is brought into even sharper focus with increasing levels of poverty in Brent, higher unemployment and changes to the housing benefit system.

Brent Local Authority is not standing still but is developing new ways of working in the changing landscape. We know that many services provided by the Local Authority, particularly School Improvement Services, are highly valued. We also know that many schools recognise the importance of a shared moral purpose that transcends individual schools.

Therefore Brent has developed a comprehensive Traded Services offer for 2012/13 and is also developing with schools a partnership model for future delivery of School Improvement Services from 2013/14 onwards, with schools as leading partners. Over 100 governors attended the recent meetings and there was a very positive response to partnership working between schools and the Local Authority to secure the best outcomes for Brent’s children and young people.

In summary, in making decisions about your school, we would ask you to consider the wider impact on Brent’s education community and the importance of working together in the Brent Family of Schools for the benefit of all Brent students.

Queens Park parents voice concerns over academy conversion

Queens Park Community School is currently balloting on a possible conversion to a Cooperative Trust Academy. A group of parents have put  forward their views:

Message to All Parents and the QPCS community from Parents with deep misgivings about conversion to academy status:

14 May - 2012

Many parents, long term enthusiastic supporters of QPCS, are deeply concerned at the prospect of our school becoming an academy.

Our main concerns are:

o Academies are less democratic than the current arrangements, and rules regarding oversight of governance and finance are significantly less rigorous than for Local Authority schools.

o Academies are not required to follow national guidelines for Teachers’ pay and conditions. While we do not suggest conversion would impact teacher remuneration or conditions immediately, there are no guarantees that fair pay and conditions for teachers, who are the bedrock of QPCS, can be secured.

o Brent schools – including those within the Local Authority and those with academy or foundation status – currently work together with the Council to address borough-wide educational issues. There is no certainty this will persist long-term as academies develop independence, to the detriment of the school community.

o Conversion to an academy may put the current QPCS ethos at risk because it is impossible to guarantee that future management teams will maintain values of inclusion.

o Any financial gain to the school will be short term: we shall be averting a crisis now only to encounter one in a year or two

o There is no guarantee we will get the large sum stated at the meeting with parents. Recently, the Financial Times pointed out that the Department for Education has overpaid £120 million to some schools converting to academies and those schools now face a repayment crisis – the “bribe” has been overestimated and is not sustainable. What’s more, a recent Government consultation paper suggests that the cost of academies is already £600 million more than estimated. Consequently, there is now no guarantee that schools converting will receive any additional funding at all. If the money stops next year, QPCS will have cast itself adrift in a potentially dangerous situation.

We are trying to find another way through this crisis and will meet the leader of Brent Council, Ann John, this week. We will ask Brent to explain its future policies and funding, and whether it believes it can offer an effective alternative strategy to the academies. We are also taking a letter of opposition to the Department of Education on the morning of Friday 18 May, and have also asked the secretary of state, Michael Gove, to meet us.

QPCS been transformed by the efforts of the current and previous head teacher, with tremendous support from the teaching staff, the governors, pupils and parents. We are now concerned that our high-performing and immensely popular local school is being driven down this road just because our governing body feels it has no choice.

We are also concerned that many teachers feel bad about the situation, even though they may vote for conversion in the face of threatened redundancies. Brent has not been regarded as the best borough in providing services to education. But the pressure should be on provision of better services, not privatizing the schools in a world where the comprehensive ethos is thrown out of the window!

Brent school students, teachers and governors turn out for rally and lobby

School students, teachers, governors and parents were out in force yesterday for the rally and parliamentary lobby over the cuts in the Building Schools for the Future programme and the Academies Bill.

School students from Copland, Alperton and Queens Park Community School were among those attending the rally and who met with Brent MPs to press the case for their schools. Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent North, said that he was going to concentrate on the BSF issue but said that he would also sign the EDM on academies consultation.

Meanwhile the Guardian has published a LIST of those schools who have applied for academy status. In Brent only two schools, both religious schools, are listed: The JFS (Jewish Free School) and the Convent of Jesus and Mary. Claremont, whose head expressed an interest some weeks ago was not included after the governors decided to take time to research the issue.

The Methodist Central Hall, where the rally was held, was packed and an overflow room had to be opened. The mood was militant and it was good to see school students out in force to fight the cuts.

Fight Tooth and Nail for Decent School Buildings

Brent Council confirmed the impact of the BSF programme on Brent schools with the following release.

Head teachers and students in Brent were shocked at the announcement  by the Government to axe the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

The timing couldn't have been more poignant for Brent's schools. As the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, addressed the House of Commons, students from Alperton Community School, Queens Park Community School, Copland Community School and Cardinal Hinsley Mathematics and Computing College were presenting to Brent Council their ideas and plans for their future buildings.

The four schools had been allocated £80m under the BSF programme.

Maggie Rafee, Head teacher at Alperton Community School, said: "There can be no denying that the news about the BSF programme being axed is absolutely devastating.

"This will mean our school will face uncertainty while we await the outcome of the review and go through whatever new hoops are set to secure the capital monies that the minister announced will still be available for schools in the greatest need. Our school will do whatever is necessary to make politicians sit up and take notice."

Students at the school have written to the Secretary of State for Education and invited him to visit the site and see why the investment is needed.

Councillor Ann John, Leader of Brent Council, said: "Yesterday's announcement will have a devastating impact on the educational opportunities of Brent's students for generations to come.

"The rising population in the borough has meant a shortage of school places and, with many of our schools in poor condition, this investment was vital.

"We will be drawing on the support of our MPs to argue our case to Government for this much-needed investment that goes beyond new buildings. Without funding Brent will not be able to meet the demand for pupil places in the future."

The axing of this programme along with the Coalitions claim that 'free schools' can be housed in closed down factories and warehouses, empty shops and disused churches, shows that they are completely out of touch with the needs of schools. We will be returning to private affluence (from whence most of them came) and public squalor.

I started teaching in the 1970s and remember classrooms with carefully positioned buckets catching rainwater leaking through ceilings, windows held together with tape and string,  walls covered with sugar paper to hid cracked and mouldy plaster. Are we really going to put up with this Government returning us to that state - along with oversized classes and shortage of text books and resources? 

The message given to pupils in such schools is: You don't matter.

We must fight tooth and nail to ensure our children have decent, sustainable school buildings which are fit for purpose.