US millionaire bids to run school

An American hedge fund millionaire is among four bidders hoping to run a school in Northampton.

Northamptonshire County Council wants to turn Unity College into a sponsored academy due to its poor GCSE results and a poor Ofsted inspection.

The potential sponsors include US businessman Martin Finegold.

Other bidders are Woodard Schools, the David Ross Foundation, which was started by the co-founder of Carphone Warehouse, and the Brooke Weston Trust.

The council will ask for local people's views on possible sponsors.

Four potential sponsors David Ross Foundation: Started by Carphone Warehouse co-founder David Ross Martin Finegold: An American hedge fund millionaire Brooke Weston Trust: Runs a successful school in Corby, Northamptonshire Woodard Schools: Founded in 1847, it runs the largest group of private Church of England schools in England and Wales

Parents, students and staff at Northampton's Unity College are to be invited to meet potential new sponsors for the school.

As part of the selection process, Northamptonshire County Council has asked each of the bidders to give a presentation at the school and set up information stands.

Andrew Grant, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "We believe it's important the parents, staff, students and the local community have the chance to find out more about each of the candidates and what they can offer before any decisions are taken."

The presentations will take place before the end of term.

The council has also announced an interim executive board to support the school.

The board will be made up of:

• George Gyte (Chair) - who led the county's school inspection and advisory service in Northampton in the 1990s;

• Ch Supt Paul Philips - of Northamptonshire Police;

• Damon Lawrenson - assistant chief executive with responsibility for finance at the council;

• Will Adams - member of the Diocesan Board of Education and a former secondary head teacher.

The fifth member will be a representative of the new sponsor.