MORE than 1,500 people have told education bosses they do not want a ‘super academy’ mixing primary and secondary schoolchildren in Oxford.

People in Cowley and East Oxford have rallied behind the failing St Christopher’s Primary School in Temple Road, Cowley, and asked for it to be given more time.

The 399-pupil school was placed in special measures in May after school inspectors filed what a source at Oxfordshire County Council said was one of the worst reports it had ever seen.

Last night more 30 parents and city and county councillors attended a meeting at the school to draw up battle plans to stop it being merged with Oxford School to create a ‘super academy’ for four to 18 year olds.

More than 1,500 people have signed a petition against the scheme.

St Christopher’s governor Jayne Harrison said: “I think we are very encouraged by the strength of local support for the school to be kept open on its current site.

“People have been shocked and stunned about the super academy proposal.

“We feel St Christopher’s can be turned around and it should be given a chance before any decision is made on the structure of the school.”

Campaigners are planning to hand the petition to the county council at its cabinet meeting next month.

They will also lobby the Department for Children, Schools and Families to reject an academy proposal if it is put to the Government.

Oxford School governor and county councillor Larry Sanders said: “The academy is a mistake for Oxford School and St Christopher’s.

“An academy through the sponsor United Learning Trust would mean that people in Cowley and East Oxford only have a choice to send their children to a church secondary school.”

Academies are all-ability, state-funded schools established and managed by sponsors, including schools and colleges, universities, wealthy individuals, businesses and faith groups.

Oxford Academy, which is sponsored by the Diocese of Oxford, replaced Peers School a year ago.

Council spokesman Owen Morton said: “The council is aware of concerns raised by parents and will be listening to their views and those of the wider community about the future of the school in the coming months.

“It is important to remember that St Christopher’s School received a report from Ofsted that was one of the worst the county council has ever seen. This means things will have to change quickly.

“The council has an open mind on this very important matter and, of course, will be listening to the parents and the wider community about the form the change should take – but change there must be.

“The idea for an academy is just one idea and we are a long way from making decisions. Our overriding task is to ensure that all the children at St Christopher’s have a high quality education.”

The protest was organised by the Save Oxford School and Save St Christopher’s School campaigns and by the National Union of Teachers, which also opposes the move.

cwalker@oxfordmail.co.uk