The temperature in the debating chamber went up several notches as education looked like becoming the main battleground for next May's local authority elections.

Tories and Labour councillors clashed over school policy during one of the most bad-tempered meetings this year.

Members used the debate to sharpen their knives for what will undoubtedly be a bitterly-contested battle next year.

Conservatives used the policy conference on Thursday last week to call for the resignation of Councillor Alison Moore.

Tory education spokeswoman Vanessa Gearson attacked her over teacher shortages, exam results, special educational needs provision and strategy.

"I have asked you time and time again to address these issues problems which are raised with me on a weekly basis by teachers and you merely respond with lists of initiatives rather than proven delivery," said Mrs Gearson.

The final straw for Tories was the report into sex allegations against a five-year-old pupil which led to a mass parental boycott of St John's School in Crescent Road, Friern Barnet.

Despite Ms Moore being the cabinet member for education, her name did not appear once. Mrs Gearson said the buck must stop with Ms Moore and council leader Alan Williams.

"Your repeated abdication of your executive responsibilities can no longer be tolerated by this council or the people of this borough," she said.

In response, Ms Moore said: "Barnet is one of the highest performing LEAs in the country our primary schools rank fifth in the country."

She said the borough's two secondary schools in special measures Christ Church in North Finchley and Ravenscroft in Barnet both had Tories heading their governors who then resigned. She accused Conservatives of "cut and run" policy.

"They were at the helm they did nothing to stop those two schools going into special measures," she said. "When the schools were named, they couldn't stomach the hard work to get them back on track."

This was angrily denied by Tory councillor Kevin Edson, former chairman of governors at Ravenscroft, who heckled Ms Moore.

December 17, 2001 13:55

MATTHEW NIXSON