Academy’s race conflict fears

FEARS of racial tension at one of Oldham’s planned showpiece academies were revealed by white and Asian pupils last night.

BBC’s “Newsnight” programme examined plans to merge two segregated schools — Breeze Hill and Counthill — claiming it was “a bold bid to bridge the racial divide.”

Pupils will move into the new Waterhead Academy in 2012 — if the scheme escapes Government spending cuts.

Presenter Catyn Nye said the town’s race riots nine years ago revealed deep divisions between its white and Asian populations.

The Home Office report said there was “deep-rooted” segregation with communities leading “parallel lives”.

She said many felt little had changed, and some feared the education of Oldham’s children could be overshadowed by potential racial conflict.

Pupils interviewed from both schools were worried that racism and a clash of cultures could pose problems and create stressful situations with pupils taking their anger out on each other. Hifsa Munir, a pupil at Breeze Hill where 90 per cent of pupils are Asian, said whites were still against Asians.

“They don’t like us — we live separate lives,” she added.

At Counthill, where the majority of pupils are white, Hannah Coombes, said: “There are still many prejudices — Oldham’s history may be too difficult to overcome.”

But Charlie Parker, Oldham Council’s chief executive, rejected the programme’s claim that pupils education could be damaged.

“The merger of the schools is part of a much broader plan to improve education throughout the town. People will be nervous, but we must allay those fears,” he added.

“Newsnight” plans to monitor the merger.