Academy plan hits another obstacle

6:19pm Friday 6th June 2008

PLANS to open Bolton's first academy school could be in tatters after a primary school central to its development refused to back the controversial proposal.

The governing body at Top O'th Brow Primary in Breightmet has deferred a decision on whether it wants to become part of the Withins Academy.

Governors say they will not make a decision until a number of concerns they raised in January are addressed.

Rod Ashworth, chairman of governors at Top O'th Brow, said they want assurances the academy plans will be in the best interest of staff, pupils and the community; that the new development will provide nursery provision; and the school will retain control over its innovative curriculum.

He said: "We have not made a decision either way. It is not that we are digging our heels in. These questions are nothing new and cover important areas. We are awaiting a response from the sponsors.

"The nursery provision and the curriculum, the international baccalaureate, has helped this school become successful. We want this success to continue."

The move by Top O'th Brow governors is the latest blow to the scheme.

Recently teachers, who are members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), at Withins School staged a walkout in protest over plans to take it out of the control of Bolton Council and into private hands. Another walkout is also being planned.

Under controversial Government plans to raise educational standards in deprived areas, Withins School is set to become an academy, where existing pupils along with those from Top o' th' Brow Primary will be taught.

Whitehall contributes about £25 million to an academy's development, while private organisations put up £2 million - in this case Manchester Diocese and Rochdale-born David and Anne Crossland, who founded travel firm Airtours. Sponsors effectively take control of the school from the local authority.

Mr Ashworth has stressed the governing body's actions are not political but have been taken in the interests of staff, pupils and the community.

Secretary of the Bolton-branch of the NUT, Barry Conway said: "We are extremely pleased the governing body at Top O'th Brow is thinking again. An academy is the wrong decision for the local community."

Bolton Council was unavailable for comment.