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Head quits crisis primary where schools minister sends children
Sri Carmichael, Evening Standard02.04.08
The head of the crisis-hit primary school attended by the children of Schools Secretary Ed Balls has quit.
Carron Adams, 51, walked out as Grazebrook Primary School, in Stoke Newington, faces a devastating report criticising standards.
Verbal feedback and a draft report from Ofsted inspectors during their recent visit warned teachers the school is performing badly.
Mr Balls and his wife, housing minister Yvette Cooper, have sent two of their three children to the school.
Grazebrook could now be forced to adopt special measures, under which it would face intense scrutiny until it improved or was closed.
It is understood inspectors found that the school had seriously inadequate data on pupils' academic achievement, making it harder to track their progress.
Its failure and Ms Adams's subsequent resignation are an embarrassment to Mr Balls, who is spearheading the Government's multi-million-pound drive to raise standards in inner-city schools.
In a letter to parents yesterday, Ms Adams, who has run Grazebrook for seven years, claimed she quit on Friday for "personal reasons".
Grahame Horgan, chair of school's governors said: "The governing body is very aware that speculation about the outcome of the recent Ofsted inspection is causing concern and anxiety among the school community.
"Since the draft inspection...we are able to tell you that the inspection identified strengths within the school, as well as significant areas for improvement. The draft report places the school in a category for improvement."
He added the school, which has about 450 pupils aged between three and 11, could appeal the final report when it is published in two weeks' time.
In 2005, 122 pupils achieved above the national average in tests at Grazebrook, but that fell to 68 in 2006 and 56 last year.
Mr Balls and his wife are said to have moved from Lambeth to Stoke Newington partly because they thought the schools were better.
