Tory Education Secretary Michael Gove was told yesterday to respect parents who have voted resoundingly against plans to privatise their children's school.
Seventy-four per cent of parents voted against plans to force Dorothy Barley primary school in Dagenham, east London, to become an academy.
Barking and Dagenham Council called the referendum after parents complained that the consultation over academy plans was a sham.
MATT WRACK issues a clarion call for a rejuvenation of public services for the sake of our communities and our young people
With 170,000 children living in poverty in north-east England and teachers leaving in droves over 20 per cent real-terms pay cuts since 2010, all while private companies siphon off billions, it is time to unite and fight for education, writes MATT WRACK
We face austerity, privatisation, and toxic influence. But we are growing, and cannot be beaten



