LABOUR Councillor Vikki Hartstean – Thurrock’s Education supremo, has spoken out over the controversial plans for the Mossbourne Federation to take over three Thurrock Schools.
Mossbourne Federation is poised to take control of Hassenbrook Academy and Gable Hall Schools – as well as Corringham Primary School – from the troubled Ortu Federation, fuelling concerns over a reduced GCSE curriculum and possible job losses.
Councillor Harstean said:-
“While the running of these schools is no longer within the remit of the Local Authority, we do have a vital role to play as a critical friend to Academies. With Gable Hall rated as inadequate, by Ofsted, and Hassenbrook as requires improvement, it is clear that decisive action is needed.
“Unfortunately, previous cabinet members appear to have neglected this important part of the role and have allowed the situation to persist unchecked for far too long.
“The Ortu Academy Trust has clearly been failing its pupils for some time, losing both the trust and the confidence of parents. Something needed to change, and my only regret is that it has taken so long.
“I met with the Department for Education (DfE) to discuss the situation in detail and made it clear that the Mossbourne Federation, the Trust taking over the schools, must put our children first. Mossbourne Federation must deliver—and we’ll be keeping a close eye every step of the way.
“Our primary focus as a Council—and mine as the Councillor responsible for these matters—is to ensure that the Mossbourne Federation prioritises delivering the high-quality education and opportunities that these pupils have been unjustly denied for so long.
