MilL Hill News - Etz Chaim School - Response from action group

Guest Blog by Zoe Samuelson,

Thank you for the invitation.  

We have met and corresponded with the proponents on a number of occasions.

We have been clear all along as our objection letter shows that we support the school just not in that location and thousands of objection letters submitted to the council confirm this. We also made it clear that we support the school in any close location.

At a meeting we offered a number of locations including another site which was only refused on the grounds of being only financially suitable for a 3 form entry school. This was strange as only the week before it was quoted in the press that for every place there were 3 applications. In reality the projected uptake will fall in the next 2 years. Their words, not mine. 

Had consultation taken place all the way along they would have realised what the centre means to so many people. However, despite numerous requests for the Councillors, planning team or school to go and speak directly to the elderly and disabled in the community, they have refused, each and every time.

The individuals who use the site for rehabilitation and treatment as part of their services to the Borough residents include many service providers from Barnet funded centres and social services. Adults with learning disabilities in particular are the hardest group to be able to make sure that every day counts. To take away a resource is selfish. I cannot think of one reason why a school cannot deliver just as good an education on an alternative site. 

I have read all the documents and would like to share my observations. 

1) Primary school place shortages list does not include Mill Hill 

2) There is not one child of school age marked on the school catchment map in the immediate area down to go to the school and only 2 children of nursery age.

3) According to the catchment shown it is likely that 150 – 190 cars (including staff) will drive to this location.  This is matched by comparisons with other schools in the immediate area.

4)The community use offered is acknowledged as being no different to what is already available, is costly, discretionary and you’re right, can only be used if you are Kosher (and can afford to provide kosher food for your guests). Athletics and dance are hardly suitable opportunities for the elderly and disabled. In any event the school will exclude all day centres and colleges as community use is offered out of school hours. What of the service providers? How do you replace this resource for them? Horticulture, independent living, out and about for the mentally ill, stimulation from the aquatics centre, exemplary access which includes mobility scooters. Space to breath and interact. 

5) We have heard that it could be a Tesco. Yet Barnet Council acknowledge that they have received no other enquiries for the site, despite the rumours and misinformation put out by the School’s proponents. Ask the Council. We did in an FOI. In any event, Mill Hill is one of their top performing centres and if they weren’t being offered an inflated price and have a chairman on the Free School Government think tank, they have no reason to sell. However, it is the site for the community we support. This site has always existed for the good of the entire community and not just a small section.

We have asked to work with Adam and his team but they have steadfastly refused.

The solution. Open the school in the Sea Cadets building in September. Move to the JMI School in Barnet which will be vacated by the current tenants when their new school, currently being built in Hale lane is ready next spring. From there, find and develop a permanent site which will not remove the heart of the community from the community. 

The school did not have to open this year as every child has also had an offer from Barnet. I cannot think of a worse start for a community school. This is not how it should be.

Zoe Samuelson

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Zoe Samuelson is a member of the Action Group opposing the closure of Mill Hill Garden Centre to facilitate Etz Chaim Free School. This blog was published in response to a blog posted by the Barnet Eye, where we asked for statements from opponents and supporters of the School. This does not represent the views of the Barnet Eye.  Guest blogs are always welcome on any subject relevant to life in the London Borough of  Barnet.