It is hard to believe from the consistent, dogmatic and well-rehearsed statements from Labour and Conservative councillors that the unholy drive for an academy school in north Halifax is nothing more than a done deal.

At last we now learn the truth of it all and the shameless extent of the done deal, not with Calderdale Council, but between the Government and the Church.

Your article in which the Bishop of Wakefield outlines his "vision for for an academy of the future" ("Courier, March 11) lets the cat out of the bag.

You reported: "The Government approached the Church to discuss the future of schooling in the area after the decision to close the Ridings was made.

"'It opened up for us a conversation about what would be proposed and how it would affect the future of Holy Trinity.'"

Is it therefore any wonder that we ask ourselves: Is anyone out there listening? when we are not part of the conversation, despite council reassurances that councillors have listened to parents, staff and governors.

Even the Church's own clergy are opposed to the plan. As the rural dean of Halifax stated: "Closing the school would be wrong. There is no evidence that an academy would provide a better standard of education."

We now know the real reason that we were not listened to as the conversation is between the Church and central Government – and Calderdale Council is a mere bystander to the most important decision in the lives of children in north Halifax.

Months of local consultation have provided the basis for some kind of local deceit in falling in line with the Government's relentless and uncompromisingly doctrinaire drive towards its national target of 400 academy schools in England – whether or not it is right for north Halifax or whatever the consequences. The heavy hand of Government!
Like our local councillors, Lord Adonis, Under Secretary of State for Schools, "has not flinched from the tough decisions required to set up academies".

What is more surprising is that the Labour group appears to align itself to this passionate, self-confessed meritocrat, a supporter of the academy system based on ability and elitism – in other words, selection.

His view that "academies should become this generation's grammar schools" will find lots of support within the local Labour ranks!
So the decision now appears to be out of our hands, no doubt a matter between the forthcoming feasibility study, the Church and the Government.

It has little to do with improving educational attainment for north Halifax children but simply and unashamedly replacing the crumbling buildings of Holy Trinity Senior School, already designated as an improving school and, outside the selective schools, the best school there in terms of performance.

The new academy will, it seems, continue to safeguard places for those who want a Christian educa- tion for their children, and there's nothing wrong in that, but what it will not do is provide a good local senior school for local children from local primary schools.

Deal or no deal? Calderdale Council's and the Wakefield Diocese's position appears position clear and uncompromising: deal!
It is an unaccountable done deal between the Church and the Government.

Joe Collins