Union blast as school looks into academies

CROMPTON House School has formally lodged an interest in becoming one the new wave of academies.

Governors say that the move will allow them to find out more about the scheme. They would then decide whether to follow Blue Coat which has applied for academy status.

But unions opposing the move say meaningful consultation has not been held with staff and parents at Crompton House.

Academies are state-funded schools outside local authority control with more freedoms over the curriculum, term dates, and teachers’ pay and conditions. A flagship Labour policy to turn around under-achieving schools, all schools are now being invited to become academies under a massive expansion by the coalition Government.

One person who contacted the Chronicle said that Crompton House teachers could strike over the move.

But Tony Harrison, secretary of Oldham National Union of Teachers (NUT), stressed that no decision had been taken on industrial action at this stage.

The main unions at the school have jointly asked for negotiations.

Mr Harrison added: “We are opposed to schools becoming academies because it is based on dogma. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that they improve pupils’ education, they take money away from other schools and parents have less say.

“Crompton House is saying that it wants to protect staff terms and conditions, but we do not know what will happen a few years down the line when there is different management.

“The decision of the governing body to register its interest came before the school had held meaningful discussions with staff to judge whether there was professional support for this proposal.

“No final decision has been made about what action members will wish to take in response and we are hopeful that we can resolve the issue through negotiation.”

A joint statement by head teacher Elsie Tough, chairman of governors Leon Ashton and the school’s two NUT reps said: “The governors have registered an interest in becoming an academy, as agreed by the governing body following a presentation to them at the beginning of term.

“This allows the school to obtain further information and advice from the Department for Education. It is not a formal application to become an academy.

“No decision has been reached as to whether or not we will seek academy status. We are now gathering information so the governors can make an informed decision and have already started discussions with staff, who will also be given more information as further consultations take place.

“We also intend to discuss all the issues with parents at the appropriate time. Whatever decision is made it will be made in the best interests of our children.”