Councillors locked on collision course over Wirral academy schools plan (From Wirral Globe)

Councillors locked on collision course over Wirral academy schools plan

1:30pm Friday 9th October 2009 in Search By Leigh Marles

A senior Wirral councillor is to be called before a scrutiny committee to "give evidence" over the borough's plans to introduce two academy schools.

Liberal Democrat cabinet member and former group leader Cllr Stuart Kelly voiced his deep concerns last week as the authority agreed to begin consultation on plans to create two new academies in Birkenhead, including a brand new all-boys school.

Although Cllr Kelly voted at a meeting of the cabinet to proceed to the consultation stage of the plan, he also said the proposal for a boys-only academy “lacks sufficient ambition for raising the aspirations and prospects of the children.”

Cllr Kelly said he believes the proposals are "deeply flawed" and may actually damage the educational prospects of Birkenhead children for years to come.

The scheme would see one mixed-sex academy and one boys-only academy for pupils currently at Park High, Rock Ferry High and Ridgeway High schools.

The boys' academy would be "sponsored" by Birkenhead-born entrepreneur David Hughes, the University of Liverpool, Birkenhead Sixth Form College and Wirral Council.

The mixed-sex academy would be sponsored by the University of Chester, Wirral Met College and Wirral Council.

Conservative group leader Cllr Jeff Green told the Globe: "I fail to see how Cllr Kelly can, on the one hand, vote for this to proceed, then on the other say he believes it to be a deeply flawed policy.

"It is our intention to call in this issue to send it before a scrutiny committee, at which Cllr Kelly will be asked to give evidence as to why on earth he voted the way he did if he has such grave concerns."

Cllr Kelly responded: "It seems the Tories wish to embarrass me or embarrass the cabinet. But I make no apologies at all for voting for the proposal to proceed to consultation.

"My own view is that the policy is flawed. But I am prepared to be shot down in flames by parents, teachers and the community as a whole if they say they want to proceed.

"The Tories clearly have no interest in the education of the children of Birkenhead.

"They have no representation in Birkenhead and should keep their noses out this affair."

He said he has strong doubts as to the need for a boys-only academy: "I am concerned that no evidence has been presented on the demand for a boys-only school in Birkenhead by parents and pupils.

"And I believe David Hughes’ prospectus for how the school will operate lacks sufficient ambition for raising the aspirations and prospects of the children he seeks to attract."

He said the proposal to close Ridgeway High "flies in the face" of the advances and success of the school: "What message does it send if we close a successful school?

"We should reward success - not punish it by closure and replacement with a vocational boys-only establishment."

Labour's cabinet member for education Cllr Phil Davies said: "While no decision yet has been made over whether to proceed to introduce the two academies, the status quo can't carry on in any event.

"It is government policy that local authorities must act when schools see pupil numbers falling by 10%.

"We are at that stage already in the three schools concerned. We cannot keep the existing system."