As if the people of North Kensington did not have enough to cope with, they are now having to fight to save their much loved Wornington College. There is a fierce and growing protest at the proposal to merge it with Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College.
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Sadly, it appears to be one of those - 'let's solve a problem, with just one proposal that seems ok to us - and that is the box ticked'. According to local residents, there was little attempt to genuinely consult them.
An open email sent recently to the Governors of the college by Writer and Community Campaigner Annie Redmile, presented many reasons why they should 'think again'.
'I have personally spoken to quite a number of individuals who have enjoyed and valued their education at Wornington Colleg - and care passionately about it - and would hate a large and impersonal college - or being forced to move to one.
'There are very real question marks hanging over the financial history and stability of Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College' Has sufficient attention been paid to those elements?
'There are questions that are being asked, and should be, about the management of Kensington and Chelsea College (KCC) in recent years, under your watch. There is much information now in the public arena - and sadly it does not reassure.
'How can a larger college, out of Borough, with a history of shedding courses and students who do not have average pass rates, rather than staff development, be the best solution for the people of North Kensington?
'North Kensington, now more than ever, has very special educational needs. Those needs must address a multi-ethnic and traumatised community that has to have the best possible help and support for their general wellbeing and future employment prospects.
'North Kensington is the poorest area in Kensington and one of the poorest in the UK. It has many needs and this is a key one.'
And she concluded: 'It is suggested that there has been no real consultation or proper survey of the educational needs of the local community - or indeed a genuine consultation with the different community groups in North Kensington. It is a very real perception!
'Why are no other options being suggested. Surely it is the very least the people of North Kensington should expect?'
Respectfully,
name witheld
Respectfully,
name witheld
We also need to unite to save the Notting Hill Police station for the community - and stop letting the Tories blame its loss on the Mayor of London. Its loss is entirely due to more government austerity cuts that will savagely damage London's policing.
ReplyDeleteThis has already happened.. see previous posts. It is now up to the community which was so concerned, to do something positive and keep the place going.
DeleteWe fully support the need for a college to remain at that site in Golborne and are open to the possibility that a new trust or organisation should be established. RBKC owns the property so there is no evident reason why this cannot be done to satisfy the urgent need of the community. We agree with the comments above that community assets should not be sold or repurposed for commercial activity. As it is there is not enough space for the groups that do important work in RBKC.
ReplyDeleteAdvance keeps on talking about a new trust, previously mentioned for housing. We didn't like the way you came across, no difference to "We hear you but we don't listen, this is what we are going to do (RBKC)" so I don't support your idea.
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Don't know what you have missed, dear Elizabeth. Keep on reading
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ReplyDeleteThe most stupid part of this proposed project is that when the Inner London Education Authority (much loved and much missed) was closed down by Thatcher, the Wornington building and site was GIVEN to the Council. Later, by Tory government dictat, the Council had to GIVE it to the venal folk who currently run the College. Finally, the Council had the ignominious task of having to BUY it back to cover some of the losses incurred by the unrepresentative governors and the former principal. Such a waste of Council Tax payers’ money! But this “opportunity” was seized on by Rock F-M, who intended to knock it down, build some inadequate social housing along the railway line, move the hapless residents of Silchester Estate who were eligible for rehousing (only just over 50% of the actual households on the Estate) and redevelop Silchester with garden squares as “the South Kensington of the North” (direct quote from RFM).
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ReplyDeletePress release (21 Nov 17): A new partnership to deliver world-class care for heart and lung patients - Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust and Kings Health Partners
Deletehttp://www.rbht.nhs.uk/about/news-events/a-new-partnership-to-deliver-world-class-care-for-heart-and-lung-patients/
DECISION: NHS England's Board (30 Nov 17) decided to rationalise congenital heart surgery services nationally, including giving support to the further development of the joint proposal between Guys and St Thomas's and the Royal Brompton for services to brought together on the St Thomas's campus (background in the press release [21 Nov 17]). The board also decided to continue to commission services at the Royal Brompton as the new proposal is developed.
DeleteNHS Royal Brompton Hospital lined up for £1bn sale | Daily Mail Online (3 Dec 17) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5140315/World-class-heart-hospital-make-way-luxury-flats.html
DeleteImperial College London raises concern over NHS review (4Dec 17) they believe the service should be retained in North West London
Deletehttp://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_4-12-2017-9-36-5
Where is rock ?
ReplyDeleteNowhere to be seen.
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