Rivals block Islington plan

Tony Blair and Andrew Adonis, the minister in charge of academies, will be pleased with plans for Southwark and Lambeth but dismayed at a decision to reject an academy in New Labour's Islington heartland.

Governors and headteachers of rival schools have vetoed plans to build an "all-through" academy for four- to 16-yearolds-They are unhappy that an existing primary, St Mary Magdalene, would be closed to become part of the St Mary Magdalene Academy.

Because a unanimous agreement in the local school organisation committee could not be reached, the decision has been referred to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator.