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Plan for multi-faith academy is denied

Carl Marsden
14/ 2/2007

EDUCATION chiefs have denied that a deal has been done to add a controversial 'multi-faith' academy to plans to revolutionise secondary education in the borough.

Sir Cyril Taylor, architect of the Government's flagship programme, revealed plans for a 'multi-faith' facility in Oldham last week.

He said the new-style school could act as a model for other areas, by tackling extremism by forcibly integrating pupils from Muslim, Christian, and Jewish backgrounds.

Mr Taylor explained that catchment areas would be redrawn to avoid current segregation problems at Grange school, which has a 99 per cent Bangladeshi intake, and other schools which are almost exclusively white.

But Cllr Hugh McDonald, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said the speech was "news to us" and that the council was still finalising its original plans for two academies.

"We know nothing about a third academy at all," he said. "As an authority, including officers and myself, we didn't know one was on offer and have had no such notification. That news has come from outside of Oldham and our officers will be contacting the Department of Education for clarification."

Ruth Baldwin, executive director, also said Sir Taylor's comments had been made "without any consultation with Oldham Council" and that work was still ongoing on the local proposals.

Officials are currently preparing a consultation document outlining plans that already include the creation of two academies by closing Breeze Hill, Counthill, Grange, Kaskenmoor and South Chadderton schools.

The Catholic high schools of St Augustine's and Our Lady's would also merge with three high-achieving schools - Saddleworth, Blue Coat and Crompton House - expanded.

The document is behind schedule and publication could take a further two weeks. However, the deadline to complete the consultation exercise - which officials estimate will involve about 80 meetings - cannot be moved and must be completed by the end of March.

Bryan Beckingham, Oldham branch secretary of the National Union of Teachers, says those delays - and the content of Sir Cyril's speech - show his members' concerns are not being taken seriously.

He said: "Cyril Taylor said Oldham has signed up to a third academy and I would say to people, 'Trust the teachers, not the politicians'.

"We are opposed to this and the politicians are trying to sell us out. If Sir Cyril is telling the truth and a deal has been done, that is unacceptable.

"We want an assurance from Oldham Council that the consultation will be proper and not just for show. This is the future of our children and schools and proper consultation requires an appropriate length of time.

"We have already held a consultation event where 150 people marched against academies in Oldham, but I don't think they are listening."