Teachers in new Withins academy protest

12:27pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

TEACHERS opposed to plans to transform a secondary school into a privately-funded academy staged a protest to coincide with a visit from the scheme's sponsors.

The demonstration was held outside the gates of Withins School in Breightmet yesterday evening as representatives from the sponsors arrived to address the governing body.

The rally - organised by the national Anti-Academies Alliance (AAA) - came just days after members of the National Union of Teachers at the school staged a one-day walk-out over the issue.

Funding for the proposed Withins academy is coming from the Diocese of Manchester and Rochdale-born David and Anne Crossland, who founded travel firm Airtours. They will have a say in the running of the school and what students are taught.

But teachers are worried that the move could adversely affect their working terms and conditions.

Teacher Neil Goulding said: "The issue of terms and conditions is a worry. We are being given promises that the issue will be looked into, but no guarantees."

Phil Roberts, NUT representative at Withins, said their campaign was "going extremely well" and it had the backing of parents and children.

Jim Sherrington, chairman of the school's governing body, said the issues raised by the teachers would be discussed with the union.

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