SWINDON Council has vowed to push ahead with plans to turn Headlands into an Academy.

The controversial plan, which would see the school leave local council control and come under the remit of Christian organisation United Learning Trust, provoked fierce debate.

"Lies", "all lies" and "tripe" were words thrown about during Swindon Council's cabinet's meeting.

The main chamber at the council was packed with councillors, residents and schoolteachers and governors for the decision on whether to support an academy, which would be partially funded by Honda.

Cabinet member for children's services Garry Perkins said it was essential the council took the Government money that was on offer to build what would be a new school.

He said the official process had to start now if the council was to receive the nod from the Government for the £25m in February or March to build the new school.

In a heated exchange, Penhill independent Andy Harrison accused Coun Perkins of lying about the number of people at public consultation meetings and later called on Coun Perkins to apologise for saying there was a "black hole in Penhill" where all documentation disappeared.

When Coun Perkins told Coun Owen Lister that the existing Headlands site was too small for the new academy, Coun Lister responded with "tripe".

Headlands headteacher Jan Shadick said she and her governing body were enthusiastic supporters of the scheme while NUT teaching union official Pete Smith said the council was giving away public assets to private company ULT.

A rebel motion authored by Labour Penhill councillor David Glaholm and supported by Conservative Colin Lovell (Moredon), independents Andy Harrison and Geraldine Robertson and all three Liberal Democrats called for a special meeting of the full council to thrash out the issue. It succeeded and the special full council meeting is expected to be held on November 6.

Council leader Roderick Bluh said: "It's been a good debate except the odd moment. I said if it made sense I'd vote for it.

"In that light, one's got to make bold decisions and I will be supporting it."

Coun Bluh said the academy was not a "done deal".

Last Thursday, the Adver reported the cabinet was making the decision ahead of the final results of public consultation.

Coun Bluh said he would now be taking personal control and responsibility for all council public consultation, vowing to make it fair and open.

After more than two hours debate, the cabinet voted to "facilitate" the academy and start the official process of closing Headlands and Pinehurst Junior and Infants schools.

For more on the Headlands debate, see today's Swindon Advertiser