EDUCATION - ISLINGTON MUST FILL VACUUM

The Islington Education Commission has told the London borough it must address the leadership vacuum at the head of its failing education service.

A report by the commission, set up in the wake of a damning Ofsted report last year, says: 'It isn't now clear who is ultimately responsible [for education]. That lack of clarity could so easily lead to drift and inaction on so many matters.

'We recommend Islington accepts the leadership role overall, identifies project leaders to progress the more complex proposals, accepts responsibility for their progress and identifies a timetable for action.'

Pupils only spend 15% of their time in schools and 'the council has a key role to play in orchestrating the support of other agencies and the community in overcoming the 'beyond schools' issues.'

But education contractor Cambridge Education Associates should also provide leadership, the report says.

Pupils and staff ought to feel part of a 'beyond school' learning network which should be organised by schools and, perhaps, further and higher education establishments. The council should take responsibility for such developments but not exercise power over them.