THE leader of Greenwich Council has admitted the authority has failed after another poor showing in the primary schools league tables.

But Labour group leader Councillor Chris Roberts added responsibility has to be shared between all education groups.

Greenwich finished in the bottom 10 of the national primary school league tables again this year, despite controversial changes to both primary and secondary education.

Now Cllr Roberts is admitting the league tables show the authority has failed, but reckons things will get better.

He said: "The council has failed, the directorate of education has failed and, to be frank, some headteachers have failed. That is why 15 have left in the last eight months.

"We needed to change the culture of poor leadership which has existed in our schools for the last 10 years. That is why we are introducing radical reforms.

"We are disappointed with the league table results, but it is a collective failure."

Cllr Roberts dismissed speculation that director of education George Gyte would leave after Greenwich failed to move out of the bottom 10 local education authorities (LEAs) for primary education in the country.

He said: "George is not going anywhere. He is making great progress and he will carry on doing the job. Any speculation about him leaving is ridiculous. We need him to carry on the work and make progress with the changes we are introducing."

Cllr Roberts refused to admit parents would be influenced by the fact Greenwich was named as the seventh worst local education authority (LEA) in the country according to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

He said: "I think parents will make their own minds up about where to send their children to school."

But the National Union of Teachers (NUT) has blasted Greenwich Council for its failure to lift its performance.

Spokesman Tim Woodcock said: "Greenwich councillors have not had the foresight to recognise these changes would have a detrimental effect on the education of children.

"They did not listen to the views of parents, pupils, teachers and members of the public.

"Had it listened to the objections to its policies I doubt if the morale of teachers would be as low as it is."

School league tables on Page 4

December 12, 2001 11:11

Patrick John