College chairman's fears demand a response
RONNIE CAMPBELL, MP for Blyth, is right to be sceptical about Tony Blair's latest education bill, not least because it has been designed to ensure Conservative support in Parliament.
Much of the national debate has focused, rightly, upon the selection of pupils for secondary school entry, but in my view increasing the numbers of faith-based and trust schools, the 'city academies', also risks providing opportunities for promoting contentious topics such as 'creationism'. Surely we need assurance that our children's education will be safeguarded against such diversions?
It's a pity that the ruling Labour group on Northumberland County Council doesn't seem to share Ronnie's misgivings, thinking particularly of Coun Wright's apparent enthusiasm for a city academy in Blyth, with sponsorship from Sir Peter Vardy. I doubt that this proposal would have much support were it not for the financial strains imposed upon the council's budget by their 'Putting the Learner First' policy.
Under this policy, the closure of the middle schools will transfer two year groups to secondary schooling. The resulting increase in numbers will exceed the capacity of Blyth Community College, opened only in 2002, hence the council's urgent search for an expedient solution to a problem they themselves have created.
Coun Wright has ruled out expanding Blyth College, as this would be too big, and claims that a second school is needed. We might ask why the same argument doesn't apply to Cramlington.
The introduction of a city academy for Blyth, lavishly funded by central government with a relatively small contribution from a wealthy sponsor, must seem like a godsend to the proponents of change, allowing them to escape, Houdini-like, from the financial consequences of their own ill-judged decisions.
However, this puts at risk the progress made to date at Blyth Community College and they should address the concerns attributed to the college's chair of governors. Briefly, Eric Young fears that the brightest pupils will be creamed off, leaving his college as the poor relation.
Surely this demands a convincing response from Coun Wright, explaining precisely how his council would control the admissions policy of the proposed academy, bearing in mind that this would be run by the Emmanuel Schools Foundation, not the county. It would save time if the response could avoid the claim that the new education bill will outlaw all forms of selection, as no serious commentator seems to believe this is possible.
G A WILKIN Cramlington
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