Schools take up academy offer

OLDHAM’S three academies are among 407 now open in England. Eleven per cent of the country’s schools are now run by sponsors.

The number of academies has doubled since May, 2010, and include Oasis Academy Oldham, Oldham Academy North and Waterhead Academy which all opened in the borough in September.

The Government says that another 254 schools have applied to become academies, with more applications every week.