Academy crisis: unions blame education boss (From Daily Echo)

Academy crisis: unions blame education boss

9:36am Wednesday 26th November 2008 in Oasis Academy Mayfield By Will Carson

TEACHING union leaders have called on Southampton’s education boss to “fall on his sword” as the controversy surrounding a crisis-hit school continues.

Following the shock resignation of principal Ruth Johnson from the Oasis Academy Mayfield and the news that scores of teachers had handed in their notice to leave, today the finger of blame is being pointed in the direction of education chief Peter Baillie.

A leading teaching union has said Cllr Baillie should be held accountable for the problems the school has experienced.

But Cllr Baillie told the Daily Echo that he is standing by his decision to award the contracts for Southampton’s two city academies to Oasis Community Learning, saying he was sure the Christian education trust would create “two excellent schools” in the city.

In August last year Cllr Baillie, Cabinet member for children’s services and learning, gave the go-ahead for Oasis to run the two new academies against the advice of unions, teachers and governors.

Oasis Academy Mayfield, formed from the merger of Woolston and Grove Park schools, has been troubled since it opened its doors to students in September.

Cllr Baillie said he wasn’t surprised the school had experienced “teething problems”.

He said: “I still believe we made the right decision and I am convinced that Oasis Community Learning will produce two excellent schools in Southampton.

“Any time you have schools on split sites and where four schools are closed to create two new ones there are almost certainly going to be teething problems. I don’t think any of us are surprised that there have been.”

Cllr Baillie said he had been “kept informed of progress” regarding Ms Johnson by Oasis Community Learning but that he was not aware that up to 19 teachers are believed to have resigned.

Ron Clooney, from teaching union the NASUWT, said: “It is time for Cllr Baillie to fall on his sword – he has made a complete mess of the situation.

“The council got it wrong and they need to consider very carefully what they are going to do now.”

Staff arrived at work on Monday to be told by chairman of governors Billy Kennedy that Ms Johnson had been replaced by John Toland.

He said he was “fully focused” on making the academy a success.