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Sponsor drops city academy plan
THE sponsor behind a controversial new city academy plan to replace an inner city school has pulled out of the project at the 11th hour.
The Edutrust foundation had aimed to provide cash backing to run an academy on the site of Rhodesway School, in Allerton, Bradford, which had been classed as failing for four years before being brought out of special measures last year.
The organisation, led by Lord Amir Bhatia, was expected to submit a formal bid to the Government after consulting over its plans to replace the school this summer. But yesterday it was announced that the Edutrust had withdrawn its academy plan for Rhodesway after hearing the views of parents, teachers and councillors.
Instead education bosses have agreed a partnership with Bradford-based Dixons City Academy for it to take over the sponsorship of a new academy to replace Rhodesway School.
Dixons already runs one city academy in Bradford which is the most successful state-funded secondary school in the city.
Edutrust's plan for a city academy at Rhodesway caused controversy last year when it was announced by the Government before councillors and officials in Bradford had even heard of the organisation.
It also caused a split within the local community as two campaigns were launched both for and against the creation of a new Rhodesway Academy.
Bradford Council's executive member for children and young people's services Coun Colin Gill said: "We do not think the Edutrust model for Bradford was the right one at this stage.
"We will continue to focus our efforts on ensuring that Rhodesway continues its journey on the road to excellence.
"I am pleased to announce that Dixons Academy has agreed to enter into partnership with Rhodesway with a view to establishing a new academy."
The Department for Children, Schools and Families said it welcomed the new Dixons proposal and would also continue to work with Edutrust on other city academy projects.
An Edutrust spokesman said: "We have decided to focus on its two academy projects in Birmingham and three other academy projects which are in development. However Edutrust will continue to have an interest in improving the opportunities for the young people of Bradford as part of that programme."
Liberal Democrat spokesman for education Coun David Ward said: "I am delighted common sense has prevailed.
"I do not think the Edutrust was a suitable partner. They lacked the experience and quite frankly I am amazed they were ever considered."
Ian Murch, Bradford branch secretary of the NUT, which campaigned against the academy plan, said: "The fear with any academy is that control of the school will be taken away from the local community and with Lord Bhatia we had a London-based businessman who wanted to give some money to schools for charitable reasons but who had not even been to Bradford before he wanted to open a school here."
Dixons City Academy chairman Sir James Hill said: "We have been approached about possible sponsorship of the new academy at Rhodesway.
"Discussions are at a very early stage, but our aim would be to benefit the young people and the community that Rhodesway School serves."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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