VOTE: Teachers want Withins Academy plan delay

10:15am Wednesday 28th May 2008

TEACHERS want plans to turn a Bolton secondary school into an academy put on hold so a full consultation can be carried out.

Staff at Withins School in Breightmet say their concerns are being ignored and have sent a letter to the school's governing body outlining their worries.

They fear the terms of their employment will change under an academy regime and have raised a number of issues surrounding pupil welfare and selection.

Information and technology teacher Vincent Flute said: "This letter we have sent is not anti-academy. It is about legitimate concerns being addressed by the governing body.

"Our concerns were raised two years ago when the plans were first announced. Those concerns still have not been answered.

"We want the academy programme to be put on hold and a formal consultation to be held with staff, parents and the wider community."

The school is set to become an academy in January as part of controversial Government plans to raise educational standards in deprived areas.

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.

The academy plans recently led to members of the National Union of Teachers staging a one-day walk out in protest. Another day of action is being planned by the union.

Schools with academy status are taken out of council control and the private organisations have a big say in how they are run.

Concerns outlined in the letter include terms and conditions of teachers' employment and pupil selection and exclusion procedures.

Mr Flute said: "This letter has been drafted by teachers and support staff at the school who are members of different unions.

"Around 60 staff members, including those who are also members of the governing body, have signed the letter."

Mr Flute stressed that any action planned would not affect children's education.

He said: "Disruption to children at the school will be kept to a minimum and will not affect their learning."