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Tuesday, 9th February 2010

Parents in school 'auction' protest

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Published Date: 04 September 2004
Internet jibe at academy plan
A YORKSHIRE school is the latest in a series of bizarre items to go under the hammer on the Internet.
James Reed
Education Correspondent
Northcliffe School follows friendship, virginity, a vote and England footballer Kieron Dyer as the latest novelty sale on the popular eBay auction website.
Parents who oppose moves to replace the school with a £20m academy sponsored by multi-millionaire Sir Peter Vardy are behind the tongue-in-cheek idea.
Academies are new state-funded schools where 10 per cent of the start-up costs are met by a private or charitable sponsor. In return, the sponsor controls the governing body and ethos of the school which exists outside of the local education authority.
Campaigners against the proposed academy argue that local schools should remain in the control of local people.
On the website, the seller of the school, in Conisbrough, near Doncaster, says: "For a 10 per cent contribution you too could take over a Comprehensive School and turn it into an Academy!
"You can teach whatever you please and the Government won't bat an eyelid!! In fact they will praise you for it!
"The children and staff at the school don't want it. Most parents don't want it. As a parent of a child at this school I feel helpless and have no say over my own child's future.
"How is it that £20m is available, but only with strings attached? If we don't accept this academy and its sponsor, the money gets snatched away."
The website entry, accompanied by a picture of protests against the plans, also highlights concerns raised about the content of lessons in schools sponsored by Sir Peter, particularly the teaching of creationism as a scientific theory.
Campaigner Tracy Morton, from the Conisbrough and Denaby Parents Action Group, said: "This is a way of pointing out that this is our local school, and for an amount of money any Tom, Dick or Harry can take control out of our hands so there is a serious point behind it.
"The academy programme is in some ways like an auction. If you are in an area described as deprived and your school is thought to be underperforming your school is likely to become an academy."
Bidding on the auction closed earlier this week, just one person offering 10p.
Northcliffe School is currently in special measures although inspectors have praised its attempts to improve standards.
Last month the Yorkshire Post reported how campaigners were planning a hunt for a sponsor to support a new school on their own terms and are set to approach local businesses.
Doncaster Council declined to comment yesterday. A decision on the future of the academy plan is due to be taken by councillors next month.
james.reed@ypn.co.uk

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