School plan in doubt after Straw resigns
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.CONTROVERSIAL PLANS to rebuild the school attended by Jack Straw's son and daughter could collapse after the Home Secretary resigned as its chair of governors. Some governors of Pimlico School in central London are urging Mr Straw to stay on until a contract for the project is signed.
A vote on plans to knock down the landmark Sixties building and replace it with a privately built school and housing development was passed by 10 to 8 in July with Mr Straw's support.
Now the Home Secretary is likely to be replaced, at least temporarily, by a vice-chair who is opposed to the idea. His fellow parent-governor, who also voted in favour of the plan, has stepped down from the board altogether and his seat will almost certainly be filled by an "anti".
Mr Straw's son has left to go to Oxford University, and his daughter is in the sixth form.
Sources close to the Home Secretary said he had always planned to step down once July's vote on the public-private rebuilding initiative was over.
Supporters of the schemehave suggested Mr Straw was shaken by bad publicity over the plan, which is opposed by most parents and staff, and that he did not want to be involved in further controversy. After governors voted for the plan in July, parents passed a motion of no confidence against him. Jenny Bianco, chairman of Westminster City Council's education and leisure committee, said: "I am very sad Jack Straw felt he had to resign.
"I am disappointed he isn't there to see it through. The contract should be signed by the turn of the year."
The building's radical design, of concrete and glass, overheats in summer and leaks in winter. It is also short of space. But most parents and staff want to refurbish the existing building. They say the school will be blighted by being a building site for years.
Westminster council and a narrow majority of governors say the building is irredeemable and that a bid by the St George's Partnership to combine a new school with 140 flats is the only viable option.
Michael Ball, the chair of the school's parent-teacher association, said: "The change of chair makes it more likely that the governors will see sense and start steering away from the rocks they have been steering towards."
Steve Barlow, a teacher governor, believes the project could destroy the school. He said: "There will be considerable disruption for perhaps five years. Many parents are bound to withdraw their children."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments