Schools threat branded 'gimmick'

Council leader Peter Thompson has hit back at government threats to shut down three of the borough's secondary schools.

The Tory councillor, who works as a part-time teacher in Kensington and Chelsea, called Schools Secretary Ed Balls' ultimatum issued to close down low performing schools unless they improve results 'unhelpful'.

Hounslow Manor School, Longford Community College and Feltham Community College were all targeted in this week's National Challenge announcement and Hounslow Council now has 50 days to draw up actions plans for the three.

But Cllr Thompson said: "This initiative strikes me as a bit of a gimmick. I think it's pretty unhelpful and unfair on the three schools that have been 'named and shamed'."