| Description | Note: the term “worker” was the preferred term to refer to a staff member of the school. “Stooges” was used to refer to members of the board running the company “First London Free School Ltd”, which owned the school until it ceased being an independent school in 1982. Later, the term “stooge” was used interchangeably with the term “subscriber”.
This folder contains a lot of discussion and disagreement over the school principles and the running of the school. many staff members are named, and some pupils. For that reason the whole folder has been marked as Restricted Access.
Various papers relating to a dispute about changes to the school’s principles, including, among other items:
- Document listing the White Lion Street Free School philosophy and aims, current practices, and code of practice (Spring 1986). A handwritten note indicates that this is a draft which was never implemented.
- Letter to David Mallen, Deputy Education Officer (Schools) at ILEA, dated Friday 14 March (no year). From a “subscriber/stooge” of the White Lion Street Free School, regarding changes of practice occurring at the school.
- Page entitled “7 Years On: The Principles of Operation”, dated March/May 1980. Lists the White Lion Free School’s principles of operation.
- The Constitution/Principles of Operation of the White Lion Street Free School, with a handwritten note to say it was changed 1980-1982, and another note by Nigel Wright indicated that it was never formally adopted. Contains same text as the “7 Years On” document, plus additional paragraphs.
- A page listing seven “points for discussion” about the school’s principles.
- Letter from Nigel Wright to David Mallen, 12 February 1986, regarding an argument over the school’s principles of operation, and enclosing some notes concerning these principles.
- Letter to Nigel Wright, dated 29 November 1985, outlining a strategy to propose at a forthcoming meeting, aiming to convince the staff at the school that the changes made to the school’s principles are not acceptable. There is an attached letter to be sent to parents, current students and past students, asking for their support in this matter.
- Letter to subscribers (“stooges”) of the school, after the second meeting with David Mallen. The letter discusses the differing views held by the subscribers and the workers regarding changes to the school’s principles. Includes a page of pie charts produced by the workers, showing the percentages of children with “special education needs” across the different age groups.
- Nigel Wright’s comment on a letter sent by five “stooges” of the school to David Mallen. He expresses concern that the letter suggests to ILEA that they should intervene in the internal workings of the school; it had been previously agreed with ILEA that they would not exercise their right to do so.
- Letter to parents of children attending the school, from the school staff (“workers”), 16 July 1985. Discusses the problem of bullying and other issues with the running of the school, and invites parents and children to a meeting to discuss the workers’ ideas to make changes to resolve this problem.
- Letter to David Mallen from Nigel Wright, 17 March 1986, correcting a statement which Mallen had made at a meeting regarding an agreement between the school and the Authority.
- Letter from a “stooge”, dated 31 January 1986, in response to a letter sent out to parents the previous day. Expresses concern that the school has moved away from its original principles of operation.
- Page entitled “Procedure(s) for Changing the Code of Practice”, dated 10 February 1986.
- Page of some facts about the free school, including numbers of children who have left the school at different ages.
- Personal thoughts on the dispute about changes to the principles of operation. No date (but later than 9 December 1985), no author.
- Letter from Nigel Wright to the “stooges”, 9 December 1985. Discusses his views on the debate about the school’s principles. Includes page of handwritten additional notes to the letter.
- Letter addressed to “Friend of White Lion Free School”, about the debate over the school’s principles.
- Letter in support of the school workers, in the dispute between “stooges" and workers. Sent by a group of parents and former workers. Explains the connection of the “stooges” to the school and their role in the debate over the principles of operation; provides arguments in favour of changing the principles; outlines the dispute taking place. Dated 10 December 1985. Also includes a draft version of this letter.
- Correspondence and documents relating to the “stooges”, September-October 1985. Includes:
- Proposed agenda of a meeting of the “stooges”, 24 October 1985. Points to be discussed include the role of the “stooges”; the present free school practice; an acceptable constitution for the school; the future relationship of the company owned by the “stooges” to the White Lion Free School.
- Letter from two “stooges” to the other “stooges”, on the disagreement between the workers and “stooges”. Proposes the adoption of a statement of revised principles.
- Letter to “stooges” reminding them about forthcoming meeting to be held on 24 October 1985. Expresses concern and lists issues about the draft “General Statement of Aims” and “Basic Agreement/Code of Practice” drawn up by the school workers.
- Letter outlining the process for changing a school principle/code of practice, as decided upon by the workers.
- Document outlining the policy and aims of the school, as seen by the General Meeting in September 1985.
- Several pages, dated September 1979 and c. 1981, about why the White Lion Free School is not working well. Mentions organisational problems, and problems with the school’s philosophy, such as “bourgeois individualism”.
- Letter, dated 26th January 1983, about the receipt of written objections to the school’s principles of operation. Includes an agenda for a meeting, including discussions on various principles and coming up with a temporary agreement of principles of operation for submission to the management committee.
- List of proposed principles of operation.
- Letter from Nigel Wright , dated 2 March 1983, regarding the discussion about the free school admissions policy.
- Page of suggestions towards the principles, December 1984.
- Essay entitled “White Lion Street Free School”, discussing the school’s founding principles and aims, and the dispute over changing these principles.
- Letter to the workers and “stooges”, about the debate over the principles of operation.
- Page of handwritten notes of various questions, presumably to be asked to “stooges”.
- Letter dated 17 September 1982. Discusses the gaining of ILEA funding and the agreement that ILEA would respect various unalterable principles of operation of the school; the role of the “stooges”; changes being proposed to the principles, and settling the statement of principles before the new management committee is constituted. Includes the latest version of the principles (as seen by the writer of the letter), as well as comments on the principles.
- Copy of a handwritten report to the AGM on behalf of the workers, December 1984. Includes mention of the problems caused by the school’s temporary premises; a number of workers leaving during this time; the return to their premises at 57 White Lion Street. Notes in ink also discuss the issue of selection, and views of various attendees of the meeting.
- Handwritten letter to parents about the dismissal of one of the school’s workers.
- Page outlining the “Status of the Principles”.
- Page with suggestions and amendments to a document about the school principles.
- Page on the free school code of practice being compiled.
- Letter to children, parents, and workers, dated 18 December 1985, from a staff member at the school. Expresses the view that the changes to the code of practice made by a group of workers put the school at risk.
- Letter from Frances Morrell, leader of the ILEA, to David Mallen, 7 July 1986. She would like to have a proposal drawn up for resolving the school’s difficulties within the democratic framework of the school.
- List of changes to be made to the principles, with reasons as to why these changes are necessary.
- The principles of operation and code of practice of the school, set in two columns alongside each other.
- Letter from a group of former workers expressing concern over changes made by a group of workers, which “put the free school at risk, removing basic rights of children and parents and threatening its agreement with the Inner London Education Authority”.
- Handwritten pages about the dispute, with tasks to be done, a list of the basic principles, and arguments and counterarguments.
- Letter to David Mallen from the group of workers, about the dispute with the “stooges” over the running of the school. Dated 31 January 1986.
- Letter to the “stooges” about the result of a meeting called by David Mallen on 18 February 1986. Discusses issues about the school’s catchment area, “non-selection”, “selection out”, and “democracy”. There are also pages of notes (including a duplicate copy) of this meeting.
- letter dated 19 June 1986, regarding an inspection and expressing concern about the state of affairs of the school. Includes an enclosure about the conflict between the workers and “stooges”, expressing the belief that the school has moved away from its founding principles and ideals.
- Report of a visitation made to the school in June 1986, which was requested by six workers because of the dispute between themselves and the “stooges”. Includes discussion followed by recommendations about the children’s learning and the parents’ involvement in the school’s decision-making; the role of the workers; the use of outside agencies and resources for curriculum extension and work experience, support for children, and advice for workers; the school building and resources; the curriculum.
- Letter dated 21 March 1986, to the Divisional Office of ILEA, from the worker group at White Lion Street Free School, requesting an inspection of the school to determine whether it is the school’s principles of operation which are at the root of the current difficulties, or the ability of the staff to put these principles into practice.
- Draft letter to David Mallen, discussing points agreed during a school meeting, such as modifications to the Code of Practice (enclosed); the desire not to maintain ties with members of the First London Free School Ltd (the “stooges”) as a body, and the company’s lack of legal entitlement to control the affairs of the school; a request to establish a Committee of Management for the school. Includes notes on a meeting with Mallen, and thoughts of one of the staff members about whether to negotiate with the “stooges” with Mallen as arbitrator.
- Letter from David Mallen, dated May 1987, following on from the dispute about the school’s operation. Mentions that further funding from ILEA will be conditional on the school operating according to the principles of operation which have been adopted by the Council to First London Free School Ltd, and asks the Council to reassert the principles and make appropriate appointments, in consultation with the school community and subject to ILEA approval. Outlines the short-term role of the Council.
- Letter to David Mallen, dated January 1986, expressing concern by the “stooges”/subscribers that the basic principles of the school, and the reasons for ILEA funding for it, are under threat due to the workers introducing changes. Proposes that ILEA should establish a management committee to protect the principles of the school. Includes enclosures discussing the legal relationship between the school and the First London Free School Ltd company; the 1978 statement of principles of operation, an improved version of the principles, and the evolution of the principles and their significance in gaining ILEA support for the school; the workers’ code of practice; recent correspondence sent to the workers and “stooges”/subscribers, dating from November 1985 to January 1986. One letter refers to the dismissal of one of the school’s staff members.
- Letter from a worker, dated 18 May 1986, asking for advice on a draft document on the philosophy, aims, and practice of the school. Also outlines the problems of the school, leading to the workers’ inability to achieve the aims of the school and meet the needs of the children. Advice is requested particularly on the admissions policy. Followed by a copy of this draft document.
- Draft amendment to the code of practice, focusing on admission to the school.
- Document about the school’s admission policy, outlining the different views held by those who want the school to be non-selective, and others who want a form of selection.
- Copy of the White Lion Free School Constitution.
- Copy of a handwritten list of rights and responsibilities of the members of the school, drawn up after consultation with children and parents. Includes procedures for violating the rights of others, or not living up to their own responsibilities.
- Letter to the workers, dated 4 December 1984, regarding the ongoing discussion of the principles of operation, and disagreements between workers and “stooges”. Followed by a letter to “stooges”, with enclosed copy of the letter to the workers. It is argued that if no agreement is reached between workers and “stooges” over basic principles, First London Free School Ltd should become dissociated from White Lion Street Free School.
- Letter to parents, dated 1 July 1986, with an enclosed document on the philosophy, aims, and practice of the school (as drafted in earlier letter of 18 May 1986). Highlights the main proposed changes to the Code of Practice. A month will be given for people to suggest any changes, and if an agreement has been reached the document will then be adopted as official policy.
- Agenda of the annual general meeting, held on 5 December 1983. Overleaf are notes by a “stooge” about the activities of the “stooges”, and the poor amount of contact between the “stooges” and the school. Includes suggestions on some specific activities which the “stooges” could undertake, such as organising a system to provide feedback to the school from people working in related areas, publicity, and fund raising for the school.
- Minutes of meeting on White Lion Street Free School constitution, 17 January 1985, discussing the school principles.
- Handwritten report of a meeting of the “stooges”, discussing the dispute between the “stooges” and workers over the school principles. Notes that the “stooges” had started referring to themselves as “subscribers”.
- Letter to workers, dated 4 November 1985, following a Special Meeting of “stooges”/subscribers held on 24 October 1985. Expresses dismay at the document produced by the workers on the policy and aims of the school; expresses concern that the agreement made to operate on the basis of the principles has been contravened, and notes that this puts the school in jeopardy as it breaches the legal relationship with First London Free School Ltd; insists on reassurance that the workers will return to operating according to the school’s principles.
- Letter to the “stooges”, dated 15 September 1985, proposing that at a special meeting they adopt the statement of principles as revised by the ad hoc working group, plus a non-selective principle.
- Blank form asking for preferences regarding the way in which people can learn about the dispute, such as through a meeting or other options. Includes a copy of a handwritten schedule for the end of term week, December (no year given).
- Letter from a school worker, dated 6 December 1985, to former workers and students. Explains that there is a letter enclosed which was sent to current parents and students, providing information about the school’s situation, and asks if help or support can be offered to the workers.
- Report of the Council of Management of First London Free School Ltd for the year ending 31 March 1983. Lists the amount of deficit made by the company, and the names of members of the Council of Management during the year.
- Typed notes about White Lion and its principles, implying that the school itself is more important than its principles and that ultimately the workers have the responsibility and decision regarding implementing the principles.
- Summary of results of a questionnaire returned by “stooges” and workers. Differences of opinion between the two groups arose over questions regarding the decision to change principles, the expulsion of a bullying child, ground for admission, and procedure for when a worker hits a child.
- Handwritten letter to the “stooges” from the workers, regarding the working party which was set up to reword the principles of operation. States that they have produced a statement of aims of the school, and a code of practice.
- Draft of the school’s principles, prepared by an ad hoc working group of workers and “stooges”, dated January 1985.
- Copy of a handwritten letter regarding the reorganised principles, with a few amendments.
- Draft of the school’s principles, with handwritten annotations and emendations. Dated January 1985.
- Letter to parents, dated 5 March 1986, regarding the meeting with ILEA which had taken place about the dispute. Invites parents to a meeting to discuss the suggestions which arose from that meeting. |