CONTROVERSIAL education reforms which would see comprehensive schools turned into "independent state" academies have been condemned by teaching unions in Bolton.

The Bolton-branch of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) said the Government's White Paper "Higher Standards, Better Schools for All" signals the end of the local authority education.

Barry Conway, secretary of the Bolton NUT, said: "We have just set up a group in Bolton against an Academy at the Withins School and now in light of this new White Paper we will have to consider extending the campaign.

"It is a serious threat to the whole concept of comprehensive education. The proposals are the final straw for a lot of us after decades of Government meddling in schools."

The Government wants to create a number of new independent state schools in the UK, which it claims will give parents and children more choice. Known as "Trust Schools," they would be funded by businesses, charities and faith groups and enjoy much more freedom than current state-led schools.

Critics claim the schools would create divisions and inequality - something Education Secretary and Bolton West MP, Ruth Kelly, has denied would be the case.

Mr Conway said: "Most parents want good quality, non-selective, local state education that values its staff and respects their children."

Bolton Branch of UNISON is also backing the campaign.

Education Convenor, Florence Hill said: "The government claims its £5billion academy programme is designed to tackle education underachievement in some of the country's most disadvantaged communities.

"Yet a report published last week showed clearly that where Academies had been set up, the schools were cherry picking' more able pupils from middle class families. The White Paper just extends this policy".

Carole Swarbrick, Bolton Council's executive member for schools, said: "The Liberal Democrats are not in favour of academies and we are opposed to the philosophy behind them. What we want to see is good community schools. Having said that I think that we would be considered to be irresponsible and to be not acting in the best interest of children, if we did not consider the academy at Withins, because of the level of investment it would bring into the area.

"We are working with the proposed sponsors about the delivery of certain aspects of the scheme which we feel are important, for example admission policies and the need to ensure children with special educational needs would be catered for."

A public meeting against the creation of an Academy on the Withins School site will be held in the New Year.

Parents, residents and other interested parties can join the campaign by contacting the group at secretary@bolton.nut.org.uk or ring 01942 821431.