Speak out on academies

Jan 13 2009 by Paul James, The Journal

PARENTS are being offered the chance to have their say on controversial plans to create three new academy schools in County Durham.

The county council is proposing to create the academies in Stanley, Consett and Durham City and yesterday began a major consultation programme that will run until Friday, March 20.

The three new academies would follow those already created or approved for Newcastle, Sunderland, Northumberland and Middlesbrough – which have all attracted similar opposition.

Teachers’ unions have opposed the creation of academies since they were announced by the Government in 2000, arguing against the involvement and potential influence of their private sponsors who invest £2m in the schools.

Sites for each proposed academy have yet to be identified but it is anticipated they would open in September 2012.

An academy for the Durham City area would have 1,200 places for pupils aged 11-16 and would replace Belmont School Community Arts College and Durham Gilesgate Sports College, although sixth- form provision in Durham City would remain.

The proposed academy for the Stanley area would have 1,800 places for pupils aged 11-16 and would replace Stanley School of Technology, Greencroft Business and Enterprise Community School and Tanfield School Specialist College of Science and Engineering.

In Consett the proposed academy would have 1,500 places for pupils aged 11-16 and would replace Moorside Community Technology College and Consett Community Sports College.

Claire Vasey, council cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “As we move forward with our proposals for academies, it is vital that we have the views of people in the communities concerned, so I would encourage all those with an interest to take part in the consultation process.

“We particularly want to hear the views of people with children currently at nursery and primary schools, as these are the pupils who would ultimately attend the academies.”

Meetings for the three areas take place at the following:

STANLEY

Stanley School of Technology on Thursday, January 15, at 7pm; Burnhope Primary School on Tuesday, February 3, at 7pm; Lanchester Endowed Parochial Primary School, on Wednesday, February 4, at 7pm; Tanfield School Specialist College of Science and Engineering on Monday, February 9, at 7pm; Tanfield Lea Community Primary School (Lower School Hall) on Tuesday, February 10, at 7pm; Greencroft Business and Enterprise Community School, on Wednesday, February 11, at 7pm; Burnopfield Primary School on Thursday, February 12, at 7pm. An information sharing event for the wider community will be held at the Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley, on Monday, February 23, at 7pm.

CONSETT

Moorside Community Technology College on Wednesday, February 11, at 7pm; Ebchester C of E Primary School on Thursday, February 26, at 7pm; and Consett Community Sports College on Tuesday, March 3, at 7pm. An information sharing event for the wider community in the Consett area will take place at the Civic Hall, Medomsley Road, Consett, on Monday, March 2 at 7pm.

DURHAM CITY

Cassop Primary School on Thursday, January 22, at 7pm; Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth- Form Centre (Bradford Crescent site) on Tuesday, February 10, at 7pm; Laurel Avenue Community Primary School on Thursday, February 12, at 7pm; Belmont School Community Arts College on Monday, February 23, at 7pm; and Sherburn Village Primary School on Tuesday, February 24, at 7pm. An information sharing event for people in the Durham City area will take place at County Hall, Durham, on Wednesday, February 25, at 7pm.