A TEACHING union has backed proposals for Fartown High School to become a Trust school.
The National Union of Teachers says the plan by the governing body of Holmfirth High School is best tailored to the needs of the school, pupils, staff and the community.
Hazel Danson, of Kirklees NUT who is chairman of the national executive’s education and equality committee, said the union believed for a new school to be successful, it must have the backing and confidence of the local community.
“This is not a one-size fits all solution based on a superficial understanding of the needs of the community; rather it is a tailor-made proposal, rooted in the values and aspirations of the community the school it seeks to serve,” she said.
The Holmfirth High bid is in partnership with the University of the First Age, Kirklees Active Leisure, the Parents of Black Children Association and Cummins Turbo Technologies.
Mrs Danson said members overwhelmingly were opposed to the proposals for an academy school which it believed undermined collaborative working and removed vital funding from local authorities.
“Fragmented systems don’t work and academies aren't proven. The Fartown parents have had a very unsettling period particularly since the BSF funding was withdrawn.
“They feel uninformed and it is important for the future of their children and the community, that we get things right here,” said Mrs Danson..
Kirklees Council’s cabinet will vote next month on the four proposals which have been made to establish and manage the new secondary school for the north Huddersfield area from September 1.
The organisations who have submitted their proposals are:
E-ACT – proposing an Academy
Lilac Sky Schools Ltd – proposing an Academy
The Governing Body of Holmfirth High School – proposing a Trust School
The Wakefield Diocesan Board of Education – proposing a Church of England Academy
When the council first consulted about the new school the aim was to open from September, 2011, on the existing Fartown High School site and then move the school into a new building on the site next to All Saints Catholic College at Bradley in 2013.
However, the money to pay for the new building was part of the Building Schools for the Future programme which was cancelled by the government in July.
Mrs Danson said academies were independent of the local authority, had the right to set their own pay, conditions and working time for staff and were not proven to raise academic achievement.
“We have consulted our members extensively and they feel very strongly that the only bid they have confidence in to provide a good school, dedicated to serving the needs of the community , which will have the support and confidence of staff, pupils and parents is the proposal for a Foundation Trust made by the governing body of Holmfirth High School and partners,” she added.
