Parents and teachers in Oxford are continuing their campaign to stop a city school being turned into an academy.

Oxford School will be converted in January 2011, despite 600 families signing a petition protesting against its closure.

The academy’s original sponsor, the United Learning Trust, pulled out last year after criticism from inspectors of the charity’s other schools. Councillors have now chosen education charity CfBT to be the sponsor instead.

But parents, ex-pupils and staff are protesting against what they claim is a lack of consultation, particularly among ethnic minority communities.

Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for school improvement Michael Waine said: “The school is undersubscribed and is not performing as it should. We believe that an academy school will offer the best chance for change.” KM.