by KAREN DOHERTY

OLDHAM’S possible new administration is being urged to ditch controversial plans to replace five community secondary schools with three city academies run by sponsors.

The Liberal Democrats are hoping to seize power on Oldham Council in two weeks time after last week’s elections left them the largest party with 30 of the 60 seats.

Some Liberal Democrat councillors have opposed Oldham’s academy proposals, part of its £230 million Building Schools for the Future (BSF) plans to transform secondary education.

A spokesman for Oldham Campaign Against Academies said: “The academies issue is a major reason why the Labour Party’s local election losses were so great.

“The Labour cabinet has consistently failed to consult with taxpayers.

“It has also refused to listen to all the evidence that academies do not raise academic standards.

“It is significant that Councillor Hugh McDonald, the cabinet member for children, young people and families, lost his seat, and it is not surprising that Labour’s biggest losses outside Saddleworth were in wards most affected by the academy proposals.

“OCAA urges the new administration to rethink the BSF proposals, to reject academies in favour of building new community schools and to institute proper consultative procedures before making decisions which will affect our children for decades to come.

“Oldham’s electorate has given the council a second chance, a chance which must not be thrown away.”

The Oldham branch of the National Union of Teachers has also written to Liberal Democrat councillors urging a rethink.

Secretary Bryan Beckingham described Labour’s losses as “self-inflicted” and writes: “We oppose, and believe many voters oppose, academies in Oldham.

“I now appeal to the Lib Dems to at least listen to our case which we have made to no avail to the previous administration.

“Some Lib-Dem councillors have attended meetings opposing academies. We hope at the very least to engage in a debate about this before the deal is done behind false consultation.”

Residents have organised a public meeting about academies at Waterhead Parish Church Hall, tomorrow at 7pm.     

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