The Brightside MP, who is in favour of the plans, said the opposition is being led by campaigners from the far left Socialist Workers' Party - not with young people's interests at heart but because they oppose private sector involvement in education.

He has written to constituents, saying: "How dare they talk about 'Saving OUR school'? They don't live in the area. They don't have children at school in the area.

"These people don't give a damn about what is happening to our children, they are using them as a political football."

Mr Blunkett, who would have been a pupil at the school himself but for his blindness, added: "Our children deserve the best - they deserve a first class education.

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"The children at Parkwood High deserve a first class school. Local parents also tell me that is what they want.

"The current head and staff have done an excellent job in improving the results and outcomes for children at Parkwood. But they recognise that there is the potential to achieve even more.

"Alongside them, I have fought tooth and nail to get the £15million to rebuild the school and create a new academy," Mr Blunkett added.

Following consultations with parents, detailed proposals on the Academy plans are now being drawn up and will be presented later this year.

If the plans are approved, Parkwood will also be completely rebuilt over the next three years - an issue which has been seized upon by critics who say it is wrong the school will only receive such funding if it goes down the academy route.

The academy would be run by education charity Edutrust, with Sheffield Hallam University as a second partner.

If the application process goes smoothly Parkwood will become an academy in September 2009, with a new building expected to be ready two years later.


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