Protest camp planned over academy

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A group of teachers and local activists have set up a protest camp on the site of a proposed new academy.

They have pitched tents on open land, close to the new Wembley stadium in the London borough of Brent.

The activists began the protest the day before the stadium re-opened to professional football in late March.

And they are pledging to stay until the plans for the academy, which is a privately-run school funded with public money, are withdrawn.

Teacher Jean Roberts said there was a Greenham Common-type atmosphere at the site.

"As far as we know this is the first occupation opposing an academy. We've been amazed by the tremendous level of support coming from the local people.

"They have been coming in and wishing us well, signing petitions and bringing us food. People come up in the evenings and join us, and even offering to go on the occupation rota."

She added: "We oppose the idea of academies because they are schools being run by a private individual using tax payers' money.

"It's more expensive - the Audit Commission has shown they spend £10m more on school buildings."

Sports matches

The protesters are particularly concerned because the proposed sponsor for the scheme is reported to be no longer resident in the UK.

He is a former chief executive of a private property company, Andrew Rosenfeld. A spokesman for him declined to comment.

The site, which is owned by Transport for London, is often used for community sports matches.

Peter Moring, director of Brent Community and Sports Limited, which leases the site from TfL and allows teams to use it, said: "We have had seven football matches here over the last three days from primary school girls and boys and to young lads and a men's game".

Brent Council claim the local community will still have access to sports facilities once an academy is built, but the protesters say this has not happened in other such developments.

A council spokeswoman said unless the council went ahead with development it would be unable to meet the growing demand for secondary school places in Brent.

"By 2014 an additional 2,100 places will be required. The council has agreed to purchase the site from TfL and this process is ongoing.

"As part of the plans for the city academy at Bridge Road the sports fields, which are currently private, will be retained and opened to the community as well as being a valuable facility for pupils at the new school.

"Final approval for the academy will be given by the DfES once a feasibility study has been carried out by them. Extensive consultation with parents, residents, teaching unions and other stakeholders will then take place," she added.

But the National Union of Teachers executive member Hank Roberts accused the local council of refusing to consult on whether the scheme should go ahead at all.

He said: "No wonder people have to resort to direct action. I call on all who believe in and value state education to come to the site and support the occupation."