having watched your video report on academies I would like to point out [1] sponsors CONTROL academies they decide on the curriculum, control selection of pupils, can change staff contracts and working conditions -all staff, their own governors hold the majority on the Governing Body, [2] After the inital `honeymoon` period which is heavily publicised by Local Authorities, whereby sponsors agree to specific demands, the sponsors can `sell on` the sponsorship or change agreements at will [3] funding is still by Central Government and the local council tax payer but there is no local accountability. Once lost Local Authorities cannot reclaim academies as local community schools [4] many sponsors have not yet `paid-up` on their commitment of £2million, which can be `in kind` [5] Local Authorities and sponsors rely on the new buildings and equipment to sell the vision of academies - new build local community schools would have the same `newness` and attraction [6] the successful academies have altered their curriculum to include fewer of the standard, more recognisable GCSE subjects [7] academies spend less on SEN children and tend to have fewer of these children on their school roll. [8] if oldham did not have academies the much needed funding for new-build and reburbishment of our schools would have been deferred to one of the last `waves` of schools receiving funding. If there was any funding left then ! [9]objectors to academies do not object to the need for new schools better eqipped to bring the educaion of Oldham's children into the 21st century, they object to the total and irreversible loss of control whilst still being forced to foot the bill. They who pay the piper does NOT call the tune with academies

   sponsors are `signed up` before the dicussions on curriculum,teaching strategies and staff contracts begin in earnest