Rhodesway board rejects plans for academy
The governing body at an improving school which could be the district's next city academy has voted against the proposals.
In October, Dixons Academy expressed interest in sponsoring Rhodesway School as part of a bid to give the Oaks Lane school academy status.
Dixons' chiefs stepped into the shoes of the British Edutrust, which had originally earmarked Rhodesway for academy sponsorship in 2006, but pulled the plug on its bid this autumn.
Now, Rhodesway's Interim Executive Board (IEB), which replaced the school's Board of Governors when the school fell into special measures, has voted against the plan.
History teacher and IEB member Chris Cheetham said: "The overall feeling is that the staff do not think academies are fair. They do not leave a level playing field for the rest of the schools.
"The one thing that will certainly change is the admission policy and if given the go-ahead an academy would mean the curriculum would be messed around with as well as the school day itself."
Mr Cheetham said the IEB had voted against the school becoming an academy while 107 members of staff had signed a separate petition.
However, he said he did not believe their views would count in City Hall. "No matter what we think they are going to push this decision through regardless. A few people are going to make a decision on Rhodesway School," he said.
IEB member and PTA chairman Angela Ansell said: "No other option has been put to the school. We want a school which is part of the local school system and delivers an equal education for all local pupils."
Elvira Suess, head of modern languages at Rhodesway, said she was particularly concerned about the admissions policy the school could adopt if it became an academy.
"It would exclude many of the families and young people who live in this area because it would be selective," said Miss Suess.
Last year Rhodesway emerged from the Government's special measures category and was named among the top 200 improving schools in the country.
The Council's executive will discuss Dixons Academy's proposal on Rhodesway tomorrow.
Nick Weller, Dixons Academy principal, said the governors of Dixons had voted unanimously to go ahead with the proposal, after the Rhodesway IEB poll.
He said: "We believe this is the only realistic proposal for securing the future of Rhodesway School and building on the progress it has made in the last couple of years, led by executive head teacher Nigel Jepson and head teacher Rachel Kidd.
"We are totally committed to working with the school and the local community and we very much hope that the Council will approve the proposal."
Kath Tunstall, the Council's strategic director for children's services, said: "The proposals for a Dixons academy at Rhodesway will remain on the executive agenda next Tuesday.
"Meanwhile, the Council and Dixons, in conjunction with the school, continue to work together on the proposal."
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3:44am Monday 17th December 2007
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CommentPosted by: adam, Bradford on 11:50am Sat 29 Dec 07
It is amazing that when the the initial announcement for a Dixons Rhodesway Academy was made Nick Weller told staff that Dixons did not have the capacity to sponsor yet another Academy within the city, since they were already very involved in their bid across town. Now that this has fallen through Rhodesway has become their next target on the monopoly board they seem to wish to create for themselves.It is a travesty supported by the council that puts students, parents and staff through the same process of insecurity, which Rhodesway community has had to endure with the EDU Trust bid, for which there has never been an explanation (an honest one) by anyone as to why they suddenly withdrew. If the coucil wishes to relinquish its responsibility to educate Bradford children then they should relinquish the seats the people of Bradford provide for them.
It is amazing that when the the initial announcement for a Dixons Rhodesway Academy was made Nick Weller told staff that Dixons did not have the capacity to sponsor yet another Academy within the city, since they were already very involved in their bid across town. Now that this has fallen through Rhodesway has become their next target on the monopoly board they seem to wish to create for themselves.It is a travesty supported by the council that puts students, parents and staff through the same process of insecurity, which Rhodesway community has had to endure with the EDU Trust bid, for which there has never been an explanation (an honest one) by anyone as to why they suddenly withdrew. If the coucil wishes to relinquish its responsibility to educate Bradford children then they should relinquish the seats the people of Bradford provide for them.
Posted by: adam, Bradford on 11:51am Sat 29 Dec 07
It is amazing that when the the initial announcement for a Dixons Rhodesway Academy was made Nick Weller told staff that Dixons did not have the capacity to sponsor yet another Academy within the city, since they were already very involved in their bid across town. Now that this has fallen through Rhodesway has become their next target on the monopoly board they seem to wish to create for themselves.It is a travesty supported by the council that puts students, parents and staff through the same process of insecurity, which Rhodesway community has had to endure with the EDU Trust bid, for which there has never been an explanation (an honest one) by anyone as to why they suddenly withdrew. If the coucil wishes to relinquish its responsibility to educate Bradford children then they should relinquish the seats the people of Bradford provide for them.
It is amazing that when the the initial announcement for a Dixons Rhodesway Academy was made Nick Weller told staff that Dixons did not have the capacity to sponsor yet another Academy within the city, since they were already very involved in their bid across town. Now that this has fallen through Rhodesway has become their next target on the monopoly board they seem to wish to create for themselves.It is a travesty supported by the council that puts students, parents and staff through the same process of insecurity, which Rhodesway community has had to endure with the EDU Trust bid, for which there has never been an explanation (an honest one) by anyone as to why they suddenly withdrew. If the coucil wishes to relinquish its responsibility to educate Bradford children then they should relinquish the seats the people of Bradford provide for them.
Posted by: adam, Bradford on 11:53am Sat 29 Dec 07
It is amazing that when the the initial announcement for a Dixons Rhodesway Academy was made Nick Weller told staff that Dixons did not have the capacity to sponsor yet another Academy within the city, since they were already very involved in their bid across town. Now that this has fallen through Rhodesway has become their next target on the monopoly board they seem to wish to create for themselves.It is a travesty supported by the council that puts students, parents and staff through the same process of insecurity, which Rhodesway community has had to endure with the EDU Trust bid, for which there has never been an explanation (an honest one) by anyone as to why they suddenly withdrew. If the coucil wishes to relinquish its responsibility to educate Bradford children then they should relinquish the seats the people of Bradford provide for them.
It is amazing that when the the initial announcement for a Dixons Rhodesway Academy was made Nick Weller told staff that Dixons did not have the capacity to sponsor yet another Academy within the city, since they were already very involved in their bid across town. Now that this has fallen through Rhodesway has become their next target on the monopoly board they seem to wish to create for themselves.It is a travesty supported by the council that puts students, parents and staff through the same process of insecurity, which Rhodesway community has had to endure with the EDU Trust bid, for which there has never been an explanation (an honest one) by anyone as to why they suddenly withdrew. If the coucil wishes to relinquish its responsibility to educate Bradford children then they should relinquish the seats the people of Bradford provide for them.
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