An Academy School is being proposed for Swindon which, if it gets the go ahead, will not only be the first in Wiltshire but possibly in the country as well. It's a scheme that is already proving controversial as Academy Schools are managed and financed outside local education authority control. In Swindon the idea is even more contentious as the organisation hoping to run the Swindon Academy is a Christian based education body, the United Learning Trust. With a number of issues arising such as how overtly religious education might be, who actually controls the school and how it's funded we've put together a Q&A to highlight some of the issues. Plus if you click on the link below you can listen to a full interview with Councillor Garry Perkins and Hilary Pitts, Director of Education for Swindon Borough Council Q&A: WHAT IS AN ACADEMY?It's a school which has opted out of LEA control, deciding its own curriculum and drawing funding from central government and private individuals or companies. WHO WANTS ONE HERE?The council - they say it's the only way to secure a new school for the area. The necessary £40m just isn't available any other way. ULT - United Learning Trust. They want to run the academy here. They're a Christian based teaching organisation. That's raised concern about stealth evangelism - concerns which ULT deny. WHO DOESN'T WANT ONE?Some local councillors are against it. Teaching unions too. Fears range from who's got control, to what will be taught, to where it will be, to contract issues for teaching staff. HOW DOES HEADLANDS FIT IN?Headlands would become the first phase of the Academy. Ultimately, in 2008, the council would like the academy to move to the site of the Pinehurst People's Centre in North Swindon and look after education for 0 -19s. If that happens, it'll be the first of its kind in the country. HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST?Cllr Garry Perkins (Lead member for Education on Swindon Borough Council) says £20m would come from central Government. Another £2m would come from the private sector. That money, combined, would pay for 11-19 education. If Swindon Borough Council hopes to include 0-11 education in the scheme are to be successful, they need another £10m - £15m. WHERE'S THE CASH COMING FROM?See above. The council's £10-£15m needed for 0-11 education would come from the sale of Headlands school site. WHO'S OUR PRIVATE SECTOR INTEREST FROM?Honda, but no-one's admitting to knowing how much cash they'll put in - if any. Certainly, they seem to be interested in offering help in other ways - expertise, etc. IS THERE A CONSULTATION IN PROGRESS?Yes, there are two. ULT are hosting two public meetings at Headlands (Monday, 5th June, 6.30pm Tuesday, 6th June, 4.30pm). There are opportunities for local people to ask questions. They've also been polling local people via a PR consultancy. SBC are consulting parents of Headlands children and people who live in the catchment area. The council consultation has been extended to 3rd July. | 
