Academy-switch schools ‘selfish’

A TEACHING union has blasted Oldham’s top two state schools as “selfish” after they decided to become academies on August 1.

The news comes after governors at Crompton House and Blue Coat decided to break away from local authority control.

But the move by the CE secondaries has been met with fierce criticism from Tony Harrison, Oldham’s branch secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT).

He said: “Any additional funding these schools receive will come out of the budgets of other schools. I do not think this is compatible with the ethos of these Church of England schools. We do not think this decision will help the students, parents or staff. There is absolutely no evidence that academies improve performance and we deplore this selfish decision.”

Previously a replacement for underachieving schools, the Government invited all top-performing schools to convert to a new generation of academies.

They receive their funding directly from the Department for Education and have more freedom over their finances, admissions, term dates, curriculum and teachers’ pay and conditions.

New academies do not have to be run by a sponsor unlike Oldham’s existing ones: Oldham Academy North, Oasis Academy, Oldham; and Waterhead Academy.

Both Crompton House and Blue Coat said they had consulted with staff, unions, pupils and parents.

Blue Coat said there was increasing pressure on the public sector to adapt and evolve and that the move would ensure it could use all its resources to improve provision.

Chairman of governors John Lees said: “Inevitably, there are concerns when changes take place.

“These have been expressed openly and professionally, and the the governing body has responded and reassured staff.

“We will continue to work together for the benefit of our students and for the future of our school.”

Teachers held a second one-day strike at Crompton House yesterday in opposition to its proposals.

Governors voted overwhelmingly to convert and chairman Leon Ashton said: “The governors wish to thank everyone who has given thought and helped them in this process.

“They acknowledge the hard work and dedication of all the staff and wish to work positively with them on the next stage of this exciting process which we are sure will mean Crompton House continues to be one of the best schools in the country.”