A PUBLIC meeting is being held by campaigners fighting to stop plans to turn two schools into a privately run academy.

Withins School and Top ‘o’th Brow Primary, both in Breightmet, are earmarked to be transformed into the Breightmet Church of England Academy.

A campaign was launched last week by the Bolton Alliance Against Academies, which is made up of trade union members including the Bolton-branch of the National Union of Teachers and Unison.

Campaigners say the academy plan is the first step towards privatising education.

Under the proposals, the academy would be sponsored by entrepreneurs David and Anne Crossland, and the Manchester Diocese.

They will put forward a total of £2 million and have a say in the running of the school.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families will put forward about £25 million to rebuild and refurbish the school. It is part of the Government’s programme to raise standards in deprived areas and tackle failing schools.

A consultation is now under way regarding the proposals. Withins governors backed plans to close the school on December 31 and re-open it as an academy on January 1.

The campaigners’ first public meeting is on Wednesday at Red Lane United Reform Church Hall, Newby Road, Breightmet, between 6.30pm and 8pm.