Carphone Warehouse chief's bid for school is backed
The co-founder of Carphone Warehouse has been announced as the preferred sponsor for a proposed academy at a failing school in Northampton.
Northamptonshire County Council announced late yesterday it would ask its cabinet to approve David Ross as sponsor for an academy at Unity College, in Trinity Avenue.
David Ross was one of three potential sponsors who made presentations at a meeting at the school on Wednesday evening.
Feedback from staff, parents, pupils and other stakeholders formed part of a further interview with a panel at the end of last week, ahead of yesterday's announcement.
Panel member Councillor Andrew Grant, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "All three sponsors have been through an extensive evaluation process and the feedback from stakeholders was used when they were interviewed by the panel.
"We are committed to the future of Unity College as an academy and will take on board the recommendations in the report when we debate the issue at cabinet."
The announcement has met with a mixed reaction.
Christine Allsopp, the chair of the diocese board of education, welcomed the news. She said: "The diocese looks forward to working with the proposed sponsor to create an appropriate package for a new Church of England academy to bring to the local community for consultation in the autumn term."
But the announcement met with criticism from parents.
John Henry, a member of the Save Unity College parents' group, said: "David Ross only has interest in one other academy in Grimsby so what qualifies him in any way at all to run a school? I'm not impressed even slightly. The idea that Carphone Warehouse has got something to offer to the educational prospects of children in the town I find absolutely shocking.
"In the pitch we were given no information whatsoever of what his bid would offer the school in terms of money or expertise. At least the other two sponsors had some track record in terms of being involved in other schools."
The council's cabinet will debate the proposal to appoint David Ross as sponsor at a meeting on July 14.
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