School students strike against academy plan at Crown Woods College in Eltham

Students at Crown Woods College in Eltham, south east London, walked out against plans to turn their school into an academy.

The school, recently rebuilt as part of a £50 million project, is set to join Leigh Academies Trust in September. 

Strike organiser, Georgia Abbot, told Socialist Worker, “We don’t want the school to become an academy. It’ll be privatisation by the back door.”

Esther, another striker added, “I’m not happy that we didn’t get a say. Less experienced teachers will get hired and we won’t get as good an education.”

Greenwich National Union of Teachers secretary Tim Woodcock supported the students, saying “I’m here to say the students have a right to stand up for their futures.

“Teachers are nervous about this change because the school’s under pressure from the government.”

Some parents also supported the students, one said, “I’m very disappointed at the lack of consultation, it’s taking the school out of local control.”

The students built support for the strike with social media, handing out letters and collecting 200 signatures against the planned academy. 

Luke said, “The school is fine as it is. They’re doing it for the money— they don’t care about us.”