PARENTS, pupils and staff can now have their say on plans to close Oxford School and reopen it as an academy.

Two public consultations on the controversial proposal were launched today.

The first asks parents whether they agree with proposals to close the school and reopen it as an academy.

The second asks people, including parents, staff and pupils, to suggest how the new academy should be run and invites suggestions for names.

Interested parties have until Monday, July 19, to have their say on the plans, which would see the school in Glanville Road close and reopen as the city's second academy in January 2011.

Michael Waine, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for school improvement, said: “Our aim is to open an academy at Oxford School and the consultation is very much about what the academy should actually give the local community.

“It is essential we hear from all parents living within the area – that includes parents who have children at the school and those who don’t – so we get everyone’s view on the proposed academy.

“We aim at making it the first choice for parents living in the area.”

The new academy would take up to 1,050 children aged 11 to 19, with a 250-place sixth form, and would specialise in English and business and enterprise.

The academy would initially open in the existing school but older buildings would be replaced by September 2014.

The second consultation document recognises Oxford’s “diverse, cosmopolitan culture” and talks about building an international focus to the school, where more than 40 languages are spoken.

The school would operate a ‘stage-not-age’ curriculum, meaning children would take qualifications when they were ready rather than when they reached a certain age.

The proposed academy is being sponsored by the CfBT Education Trust, Oxford and Cherwell Valley College and Oxfordshire County Council.

CfBT chief executive Neil McIntosh said: “There are already a tremendous number of great things happening at Oxford School and as sponsors of the proposed new academy, we want to build on these things to develop a truly outstanding school for the local community.

“I urge everyone to get involved in the consultation process.”

A website has been set up, ox4academy.org, where people can make suggestions about how the academy should be run.

Parents should respond to a consulation document on the oxfordshire.gov.uk website.

There will be meetings for staff and governors on Monday, June 21, and for parents on Thursday, June 24, followed by a public meeting at the school from 7pm to 9pm.