Ballot call over academy plans

CAMPAIGNERS want a ballot on whether Oldham should have controversial academy schools.

Oldham Campaign Against Academies (OCAA) has written to Oldham Çouncil chief executive Charlie Parker urging him to “re-evaluate” the plans.

Oldham wants to replace five high schools with three academies run by sponsors, part of a £230 million overhaul of secondary education.

OCAA says that “glossy” public consultation on the proposals gives little detail on what academies are, and that there is no evidence that they succeed.

It claims people are wrongly being told that the council will only get money from the Government’s Building Schools for the Future Programme if it builds academies.

The letter adds: “We do not understand why there cannot be a formal ballot of parents and local taxpayers asking for a straight yes or no on the academies issue. Sheffield is one example of a local authority carrying out a ballot.

“The effect of decisions made by our leaders will affect Oldham’s youngsters for decades to come. We must not introduce a scheme in which people have so little confidence.”