YOUR article (Oxford Mail, May 9) about parents’ opposition to plans to convert Cheney School into an academy was timely but unfortunately contained inaccuracies and omissions.

It said that out of 139 parents responding to a consultation, 105, or 68 per cent, were against the change. This should read 75.5 per cent (with only 13 per cent in favour). It said that out of 50 teachers, 29 were opposed.

According to the consultation report, out of 46 teacher responses, 34 opposed and only five were in favour. Admittedly only 9.5 per cent of parents responded but, combined, this amounts to a massive rejection of academisation.

This consultation was precipitated by Cherwell’s dash to academy status.

For comparison’s sake, what were the results of Cherwell’s consultation?

Amazingly, for a school with 1,800 pupils, I believe only 34 parents responded: whether they were for or against was not disclosed. Most tellingly, only one teacher responded.

When I approached two separate Cherwell parents, they said they had not been consulted and thought the idea had been dropped.

This was the day before Cherwell became an academy.

What a farce. How outrageous that this happened at Cherwell as it was undemocratic and opportunistic, while jeopardising other schools.

How insidious that we have an Education Secretary who encourages such practices.

All credit and good luck to those at Cheney who oppose fragmentation and privatisation of comprehensive education.

JK SAUNDERS Ramsay Road Headington Oxford