Anger grows over plans for Durham academy

Feb 28 2009 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

OPPOSITION is growing towards plans to merge two schools into one new academy.

A public meeting at County Hall in Durham found parents remained opposed to a proposal to merge Belmont School Community Arts College and Durham Gilesgate Sports College.

If created, academies in Durham City and Consett would be sponsored by the Durham University-led consortium DEEP (Durham Excellence in Education Partnership), a combination labelled a “dream ticket” by its supporters on Durham County Council.

But following Wednesday night’s public meeting on the plans to replace two schools in Durham with an Academy, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson Carol Woods called on the Government “to go back to the drawing board”.

She said: “At last night’s meeting, opposition to the Academy was as strong as it was at the first meeting over a year ago when not a single person voted in favour of the plans to close these schools.

“Yet here we are now being asked what type of Academy we would like. Once again the people that matter, the parents, the pupils and the staff, are being ignored as the Labour party steam ahead regardless. This is such an important issue, Labour cannot be allowed to force through plans with no support. A full range of options should be provided and the views of those affected should be listened to and acted upon, not brushed aside as is happening now.”

Coun Claire Vasey, cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services at Durham County Council, said: “The development of academies in County Durham provides us with the opportunity to have brand new school facilities for 21st century teaching and learning, supported by sponsors with outstanding track records in the world of education.

“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.”

The consultation period will end on March 20. Following the consultation period details of the responses will be considered by Durham County Council’s Cabinet before the decision is made on whether to proceed.

But Coun Woods pointed out: “At the Durham Johnston school, at which the MP Roberta Blackman-Woods happens to be a governor, they are having a new school built without becoming an Academy and selling off control.

“Why can’t Belmont and Gilesgate school have the same ‘no strings attached’ investment?

“In fact, the discussion at the meeting last night even raised the prospect of creating an Academy without building a new school, as the Government looks to tighten its belt during the recession. This would be the worst of both worlds.”