Massive snub for academies

NO Oldham schools have applied to become part of the Government’s new wave of academies.

Education Secretary Michael Gove wrote to every primary, secondary and special school in the country in May to invite them to register an interest.

Eight of the borough’s schools were among the 1,900 nationally which did so.

But they are not among the 153 which have formally applied to change their status.

Schools that become academies would receive extra funding, run their own finances and curriculum, and could be managed by outside companies.

The National Union of Teachers is already planning to target parents in a campaign against academies.

It is drawing up leaflets which will warn of the “threat” to their schools. These could initially be given to parents at Blue Coat and Saddleworth schools, which the union believes have the strongest interest.

Now Oldham Campaign Against Academies is warning governors about what it describes as the dangers of academies.

Press officer Stuart Paulley said that governors would be personally financially liable if their schools faced any legal action.

He added that academies would have to foot the bill for local authority services such as school meals, educational psychologists, insurance, redundancy and damage to buildings.

Others concerns include academies replacing traditional subjects with easy exams, inadequate provision for children with special needs, more unqualified teachers, high staff turnover and lack of accountability.

Mr Paulley added: “Are governors prepared to accept the stigma of taking their school out of local authority accountability for ever?”

“The current Academies Bill allows schools to become academies without any consultation at all, not even with current parents.

“Have governors considered how their successors will be appointed?

“At present governors are appointed by outside agencies or by elections, eg parent governors. In 10 years time the academy could well be run by a cartel of people who have a particular slant on what should be taught.

“Will governors be comfortable with the knowledge that, by accepting more funds, they will be depriving the local authority of funds needed to provide a comprehensive support service for all children?”

Other Oldham schools which have expressed an interest in becoming an academy are: St Chad’s, Uppermill; St Joseph’s, Shaw; Limeside; Mills Hill, Chadderton; Glodwick; and New Bridge, Hollinwood.