MP asks what parents think of academy plan

3:30pm Friday 21st November 2008

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AN MP who supports plans for a new academy school is to carry out her own survey to find out what parents think of the idea.

Durham County Council is looking at proposals to close Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth Form Centre and Belmont School Community Arts College in Durham City.

The schools would be replaced by an academy school for pupils up to 16 sponsored by a consortium that includes Durham University and the Labour-run county council.

It is part of a package that includes closing schools in Stanley and Consett and building an academy in each town.

The council will carry out consultation on the plans but the city’s Labour MP Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods is trying to find out what residents think.

Dr Blackman-Woods said: “I am passionate about getting the best education for children in Durham and I have long campaigned for a brand new school for the area to help young people prepare for future job opportunities.

“I believe in all our children and consider that the academy is a way of allowing them to fulfil their true potential.

“I want to know if residents agree and to find out what people think.

“Therefore, I would be really grateful if residents would fill in the survey, informing me of their views on education and the academy plans.”

Liberal Democrats on the council have raised concerns about the proposals and Carol Woods, the party’s parliamentary candidate for the city, has attacked the plans, saying the council has ignored the views of parents at Belmont who were overwhelmingly opposed to the proposals at a public meeting last year.

She has said there cannot be any meaningful consultation if only one option is being considered.

A council spokeswoman said dates for the latest round of consultation had yet to be fixed and were unlikely to be held before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Durham University vice-chancellor Prof Chris Higgins has welcomed the county council’s decision to look further at proposed academies in Durham and Consett sponsored by it and one in Stanley sponsored by New College.

He said: “The university has immense educational expertise and facilities which we are keen to put to use as soon as possible for the maximum benefit of the county’s schoolchildren.

“The prospect of leading the consortium which will develop two academies in County Durham is extremely exciting. We will, of course, work very closely with New College who are the proposed sponsor of the third academy.

“The university and partners involved in the County Durham Academies Programme are committed not just to the academies but to raising educational achievement and aspirations in all schools in County Durham.’’