Sponsored by
Parents in school 'auction' protest
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
Email to a friend
Print this page- Three-inch blanket of snow heading our way today
- Alan Shearer in list of favourites for Leeds and England jobs: Latest odds
- Barnsley’s Keith Hill invokes Fawlty Towers over link with Leeds job
- McCormack feels United search can be narrowed down
- Redfearn throws down gauntlet as queue builds at Elland Road
- Rival chips in with £500,000 to restore the original Harry Ramsden’s
- Visit from Princess as Serbian culture celebrated
- SportsTalk: Leeds United’s manager search, Super League and Calcutta Cup
- Libraries aren’t like supermarkets, they are magical places where dreams begin
- Strategic review will lead to job losses at Yorkshire Bank
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
