Teachers have publicly hit out at plans to turn an Oxford school into an academy - saying it would lead to less accountability and control.

Representatives from two teaching unions said plans to turn Peers School, in Littlemore, into an academy were not in pupils' interests.

Chris Blakey, a PE teacher at Fitzharrys School in Abingdon, said: "These proposals for Peers are part and parcel of the Government's agenda to privatise education.

"Where I work, students are already known as clients and parents are known as stakeholders - what are we coming to?"

Speaking at a public services rally organised by the Oxford and District Trades Council on Saturday, Mr Blakey said turning Peers into an academy meant the sponsors would have overall control of the school.

He said: "That control is not accountable, it's taken out of the public sector. They can cherry-pick a proportion of children who enter that school."

Plans to transform the Sandy Lane school into a £30m academy sponsored by the Diocese of Oxford were backed by the Government in March. Oxford Brookes University, Oxford & Cherwell Valley College and BMW would also be involved in the project.

Mr Blakey told the 80-strong crowd at the protest in Manzil Way: "Make no mistake, the Church of England is into big business.

"I have grave concerns about that - who knows what's going to be on the school curriculum or who decides what's going to be best for the students?

"I doubt they will meet the real needs of students."

And Mr Blakey, who is also the vice-president of the Oxford National Union of Teachers, said although he welcomed the investment, all the city's schools should get it.

He added his campaign was supported by the local branches of the Trades Council, Unison, Respect and the Green party.

Electronics teacher Ian Jones, who has worked at Peers School for 27 years, said: "We got out of special measures in just over a year. We have got a new head. We are on the way up."

Mr Jones, who is also county secretary for the NASUWT teaching union, added: "What are the real reasons for wanting to turn Peers into an academy?

"The biggest issue we have now is it's being done in secret."

Campaigners claim the consortium of sponsors would contribute eight per cent of the school's running costs for 100 per cent control.

But supporters say an academy would bring much-needed new school buildings, money for extra-curricular activities and a curriculum to meet the needs of local children.

The school's governors also say they are against academic or faith-based selection.

Two public meetings to discuss the proposals are due to be held later this month - at Rose Hill Community Centre at 7.30pm on May 22 and at Blackbird Leys Community Centre at 7.30pm on May 24.