What Are Academies?

Academies are privately managed schools that remain dependent on public funding. Former prime minister, Tony Blair, established academies in 2000 in the hope of driving up standards by replacing failing schools in struggling education authorities. Originally called city academies, the government dropped the word "city" to allow for academies in struggling rural areas as well as inner cities. Since then, many successful schools such as Withins have been targeted.

How Are They funded?

Sponsors have to raise £2m to become an academy - from private organisations such as business, faith or voluntary groups.

The public sector contributes typically about £25m. The private organisation runs the school outside of the local education authority's (LEA) direct funding control. This small stake gives them almost complete control.

Who will fund the new academy at the Withins site?

The current sponsors are the Church of England and the Crosslands formerly owners of Airtours.

Why Withins School?

The government have insisted that LEAs will each nominate a number schools in their control to become academies. Given totally free choice, councilors may not have chosen to do this but they have been forced into this position. The fact that Withins has so dramatically improved in the last few years since the issues first arose seems to have been ignored. An academy can replace a successful school just as easily as a failing one? (as originally intended). Also ignored has been any input from parents, children, community or staff. At one time, the school belonged to the community who had a say. That idea is fast disappearing in favour of the decisions of people who get almost complete control for a very small stake in the costs. Not very democratic!

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