EDUCATION bosses have won the backing of unions and local schools in their bid to take part in a controversial Government scheme.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is joining forces with local business and schools with the aim of creating an "Education Action Zone" in the borough to qualify for between £1.5 and £2.5million worth of Government grants. A forum would be set up to run around 20 schools and special measures designed to improve standards would also be introduced.

The action area would be centred around Queen's Park, Shadsworth and Sudell in Darwen and could include Queen's Park High and Moorland and Our Lady and St John's secondary schools.

Around a dozen feeder schools for the three high schools and Cross Hill special school are also being considered.

The aim is to raise standards, particularly in flagging schools. Nine schools in the borough have been singled out by OFSTED as needing special measures.

Blackburn Partnership will be the private sector's representative in the pioneering project.

But union leaders have expressed concern over involving business and industry in education. National Union of Teachers spokesman Simon Jones said: "We are opposed to Education Action Zones in principle.

"There are fears they may open the way for private companies to make hostile bids to take over the running of schools.

"If that was the case then we would have to consider industrial action in Blackburn and Darwen."

He added: "We are backing the bid from Blackburn with Darwen Council because we have been told there will be no reduction in wages and working conditions.

"We welcome the assurances and wish to make it clear that the NUT is willing to support a bid from the borough."

Blackburn with Darwen Council's education and training director Mark Pattison said the council would have to be consulted by any companies interested in taking over schools and there had been no inquiries so far.

Sue Hyland, head teacher at Queen's Park High, said: "Education Action Zones offer an exciting opportunity to find new ways of tackling major issues facing schools."

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