TEACHERS aired concerns about the transformation of schools into academies at a public meeting.

Teaching union National Union of Teachers called the meeting after more schools signed up to the Government’s controversial flagship programme to turn schools into state-funded independent schools, despite the Government’s U-turn on schools being forced to become academies.

Julia Simpkins, secretary of Bolton National Union of Teachers, said concerns aired included terms and conditions, accountability and finances.

She said: “We had teachers and staff who worked at schools throughout Bolton attend the meeting.

“They are not happy about the academisation programme.

“Every school in Bolton has said it will keep national terms and conditions of staff in schools but in academies it becomes more difficult to sustain those terms and conditions after a few years, academies can change them.”

There have been cases where academy schools elsewhere in the country have been subjected to financial inquiries with the Government having the powers to shut schools or remove schools from academy trusts.

Ms Simpkins added: “There are big concerns about what happens if the academy is not financially viable.

"When schools got into problems before, the local education authority could help. Once they become academies that is no longer available to them

“What will happen to them and what will happen to the children's education?"

She added: “If parents have concerns about the school they can contact the local education authority and in academy schools they don’t have that option.”

A number of schools are exploring academy status.

They include Rivington and Blackrod School in Horwich, Harper Green School in Farnworth, Canon Slade in Bradshaw and St James CE High School in Farnworth.

Ms Simpkins said: “The Government says one of the great things about academies is that they do not have to follow the strict National Curriculum, but why did the Government impose the national curriculum on schools, if it is so great then why do academies not have to follow it?

“It does not make any sense.”