There could be a political Eton mess in Middlesbrough brewing

MPs and councillors across Middlesbrough have reacted strongly to the government’s decision to review the plans for Eton Star Teesside.

From top left to bottom right: Cllr Storey, Sir Simon Clarke, Andy McDonald MP, Cllr Smiles, Middlesbrough Town Hall, Cllr Clynch.
Author: Daniel Hodgson, LDRSPublished 25th Oct 2024

A week after the Eton Star Partnership said that “progress towards opening Eton Star Teesside continues to gain momentum,” ministers have paused plans to open the new college in Middlesbrough, as part of a wider review of the 44 new state schools, put forward by the previous government.

The proposed Middlesbrough sixth form for 480 students, led by Eton College and Star Academies, was first announced in 2022. This was followed by the previous government giving the plans the green light last year.

Earlier in the week, education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “We will look at whether the schools meet a need for places in their local area and offer value for taxpayers’ money.”

The education secretary also said: “Our priority is to ensure children thrive in education, whatever type of school they are in – including free schools. Capacity varies from place to place, so we will continue to open new schools where they are needed.”

The Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor and Executive member for education, Labour Councillor Philippa Storey was quizzed at the Overview and Scrutiny Board on Wednesday October 23, about the progress on Eton Star. She said “having another sixth form where we don’t necessarily need one would have a huge drain on services that we have.”

When speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, earlier in the day, Cllr Storey said that “what’s been supported by Mayor Cooke and myself is funding for our children in Middlesbrough, not Eton Star as a building, because it would have significant impact on our current further education provision.”

The decision by the Secretary of State has been welcomed by local teacher and Park ward Labour Councillor Edward Clynch who said that “Eton will take some of Middlesbrough’s best teachers from our current sixth forms and secondary schools. These teachers will no longer be able to help some of our most disadvantaged students achieve their full potential. This will hit hardest with maths and science teachers already at a critically low level.”

He said that there were better ways for Eton to invest in Middlesbrough’s children and that “Eton will also damage our existing sixth form providers. Already over 90% of Middlesbrough’s post-sixteen providers are either good or excellent. A new Eton sixth form will damage these colleges and force them to reduce the offer they have available and with it reduce the opportunity of social mobility.”

Conservative Councillor Mieka Smiles, a long time advocate of the Eton Star Academy, had a different view on this week’s development. She said: “I am absolutely dismayed at Labour’s pause on the Middlesbrough Eton/Star Academies sixth form. This pathetic decision by the education secretary Bridget Phillipson is just another example of her war on aspiration.”

She continued, outlining her view that “sadly it just backs up the approach from the local Labour lot who have hated the project from the get go, unable to wrap their heads around why it is absolutely crucial for our town and its future.

“Given the chance, this project will transform the life chances for the most talented children in our town from some of the most challenged backgrounds with expert input and funds from one of the world’s top schools. I will keep fighting to make sure that Middlesbrough kids get the opportunities they deserve.”

Former Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, Sir Simon Clarke shared this sentiment, he said that: “This is a tragic decision that I fear effectively kills off a life-changing opportunity for talented young Teessiders”. Much like Cllr Smiles, he asserted the college would benefit “underprivileged” children.

“Labour never made any secret of how much they hated this proposal, with Andy McDonald publicly saying he didn’t want it for our town. The politics of levelling down are on full display here and this is a very sad day for Teesside.”

Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, said: “I am hugely ambitious for all of our children here in the Tees Valley and we need education provision that will nurture and bring out the talent of every young person.”

He outlined how there is already “a surplus of sixth form provision in our region” and that Eton could “support the existing institutions as long as it is in a way which does not undermine the comprehensive provision of existing quality education.” While speaking to the Overview and Scrutiny Board, Cllr Storey had echoed this, saying that she hopes Eton will still invest in the “structures that are already here”.

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: “The Council received more details of the Department for Education review following a statement in the House of Commons on Tuesday. Our officers expect to meet with the DfE and Eton-Star in the coming weeks.”

A spokesperson for the Eton Star partnership said: “Eton and Star are totally committed to the Eton Star partnership in the long term and its vision of working to improve social mobility for young people across the country. We have a number of exciting projects in the pipeline.”

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