Nicola Sheldon, chairman of governors at Peers School, Littlemore, Oxford, is mistaken in thinking all local political parties agree with plans to turn it into an academy (Oxford Mail, May 28).

The county and city Green groups are very much opposed.

The idea of academies comes from the same right-wing American think-tanks which have given us the invasion of Iraq and the start to privatisation of the NHS.

They hate the public sector and are determined to give public property and responsibilities to private companies.

The proposal to close the publicly-owned and publicly-run Peers School and create Peers Academy, which will be owned and run by a private company, is a perfect example.

The Government, knowing that the academy idea would be opposed by virtually everyone, is offering a £25m bribe to Peers School for new buildings, to be paid only if the school is given to a private company.

The money will be taken from a taxpayer-funded school building programme.

We do not know what schools have lost their buildings to fund the bribe.

I can understand the governors of Peers School accepting the bribe for their school. I do not think it is right.

Many brave people have struggled for the right to the vote and for a public school system under democratic control.

There is much wrong with our democracy. Removal of schools from public control is not the solution.

Larry Sanders, Leader, Green group, Oxfordshire County Council