A CONSULTATION document on plans to create an education Academy in Sheppey has been dubbed laughable by opponents.

The glossy eight-pager should be dropping through every letter box in the area soon and asks recipients three questions.

But it doesn’t give full details of the Academy plans or what such a scheme would mean for each of the Island schools and its pupils.

Members of the Sheppey Parents’ Action Group, which is fighting the proposals, have reacted angrily to the document, prepared by independent project managers Mouchel Parkman.

Chairman Theresa Langworthy said: “It’s nice they’re consulting the public, but it would be very nice if they gave the details of what’s going on.

“This tells people absolutely nothing and with these proposals the devil is in the detail, except there is no detail in this document. It doesn’t give the age range of the children affected or the schools that are involved. Lots of the information seems quite misleading.”

Secretary Tony Batchelor said: “It’s laughable. The question 'Would you support the creation of an Academy that would bring an investment of £40m?’ is a loaded one.

“It mentions the £40m investment time and time again. Why can’t we have the investment without an Academy?”

The Academy plan, which would also involve scrapping the Island’s successful middle schools, would be sponsored by the Roger de Haan Charitable Trust, the Diocese of Canterbury and Kent County Council.

The document says an Academy is the only way to attract £40m investment, but does not explain that a large part of the cost is to change Sheppey from three tier to two tiers – even though it states that issue will be a separate consultation to follow.

It adds: “The sponsors want to create a modern learning environment that will help to improve student performance.

“By constructing new buildings and providing exciting new facilities they will be able to increase the range of subjects offered.

“This will give the young people of Sheppey the head-start they need in an increasingly competitive world.

“The Academy would be run by a charitable trust free from unnecessary bureaucracy, making it more accountable to local people.” Public meetings and exhibitions will be held across Sheppey, although dates have not yet been announced.

For more information log on to www.kent.gov.uk/academies or www.spag.info