Public consultation on academy rapped
The council chief in charge of schools in Northamptonshire has admitted public consultation over plans to close a major town school has been "rushed" and "poor".
Before Christmas, parents of pupils at Unity College in Kingsley were asked for their opinions on plans to close the college and reopen it as an academy.
But Northamptonshire County Council's cabinet member for schools, Councillor Joan Kirkbride (Con, Bugbrooke), this week admitted the consultation process was not carried out well enough.
She said: "I think the consultation to date has been very poor.
"Consulting about school matters over Christmas is certainly not a good idea and I'm well aware of the concerns of parents."
More than 1,500 leaflets were sent out as part of the Christmas consultation, but there were complaints the documents did not reach all parents.
After the initial consultation period ended last week, only 20 written responses were collected, with people complaining about the "rushed and flawed" consultation and saying changes at the college would cause disruption for pupils.
But, despite criticising the consultation process, Councillor Kirkbride said the school did need to change.
She said: "I think we have to be aware that Unity is not doing well as a school. More than 70 per cent of pupils leave without five A to C grades at GCSE, so there's definitely a problem at the school."
Under the academy plans, Unity College would close on August 31 and reopen on September 1 as an academy.
The academy's sponsors would be a group made up of representatives of the county council, the Diocese of Peterborough, Moulton College and Bishop Stopford School.
During a meeting at County Hall next Wednesday, Councillor Kirkbride is due to make a decision on whether a new process of consultation on the school's future should be launched.
She said: "I think now is the time to start the proper consultation. We've got to listen to what parents say and take their views on board.
"I understand their frustration, because the consultation so far has been rushed, poor and not done properly."
The meeting, to launch the next stage of consultation, will be held at County Hall from 4pm on January 28.
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