麻豆约拍

Coulsdon High School will, as of the start of the term in September, be known as the Oasis Academy Coulsdon.听 This decision has not been without its objectors.听

Despite months of campaigning and letter of protest against the school's closure, in line with current Local Authority thinking, the cabinet approved with the decision to award Oasis Trust the running of the school.

One of the main campaigners were The Croydon Green Party.听 They severely criticised the consultation process as they felt the school was already making progress in the right direction and, throwing off its failing status.听

Shasha Khan is a spokesperson for the Green Party.听 He鈥檚 still unhappy the decision went ahead:

"The school was no longer under 'special measures' and the Ofsted report just prior to the council's decision [to close] actually stated the, 'quality of teaching and learning had dramatically improved.'鈥�

鈥淚f one considers the contextual value added league tables, Coulsdon High was a fast improving school that needed the backing of the council鈥�.

life long dream

It's part of the drive to encourage more children to attend schools in the borough.听 One in three pupils who leave the borough's local primary schools does not go on attend a secondary school in the area.

The Reverend Steve Chalke is the founder and Director of Oasis Trust.听 He said: 鈥淭he truth is that no one in Coulsdon or very few people in Coulsdon actually go to the school 鈥� it鈥檚 been half empty for some years - and those who do go to the school, don't come in the vast majority from the community at all.鈥�

The establishment of a school in his home town of Croydon has been a life long ambition for him.听 He was only 14 years old when he told his mother he wanted to set up a school.

His dream came to fruition in 1985 when he and his wife Connie set up Oasis Trust.听 Their first venture was the establishment of a hostel, 23 years later, not only are they responsible for numerous hostels and, hospitals across the world, they are also responsible for the establishment of a number of Academies across Britain.

Finally, his wish to open a school in Croydon has materialised - although not everyone is happy with this Christian based organisation running their local school.

鈥淚ronically I think we're giving the community back their school鈥�, said Steve

He also wanted to reassure parents that despite Oasis鈥� Christian philosophy, and contrary to fears and rumours, there will be no selection process operated by Oasis and in particular, there will be no specific teaching on faith grounds.听

鈥淭his is a community school there is no faith selection, we serve all faith and no faith we're not there to proselytise we will teach all the great faiths of the world鈥�, he stressed.

fight goes on

With the ongoing consultation on the future of schools in the borough, which could see two further academies opened, the Green Party says, the fight against the introduction of more academies will continue.

鈥淭he Green Party joined parents, pupils and teachers to demonstrate on July 14th outside the town hall. The strength of feeling on this issue suggests the council are not going to get their way without a fight," continues Shasha Khan

In the middle of a major reorganisation of the borough's education system, it's the council's objectives to close a number of schools and introduce up to three further academies.

Many people will therefore be watching the development of the Oasis Coulsdon Academy closely.

Are you one of the pupils going to the new Academy?听 Or, are you a parent of a pupil going to the school?听 Do let me have your views/comments.听 Are you worried about what the future hold? Or do you welcome the opportunity of a new start for the school?

Email: evadney.campbell@bbc.co.uk