ANGRY parents and teachers last night demonstrated against plans to turn several Merseyside state schools into academies.

Dozens of parents and members of the NASUWT teaching union gathered outside the Scarisbrick hotel in Southport, where a Labour fundraising event was taking place.

The protesters lobbied Andy Burnham, the shadow education secretary, to put more pressure on the government.

They also wanted to highlight why they oppose their local schools being converted into academies.

Liverpool-born Mr Burnham, who attended the fundraiser, outlined his support for the parents.

He told the Daily Post: “My concern is that the government is railroading this programme through without consulting communities.

“The government preaches localism and they are not doing it here.”

He added: “There is also only one school on offer here and that means that there will be no choice involved.”

Academies can set their own terms and conditions as well as set their own curriculum and often find themselves with increased funding as it is no longer managed by the local authority.

Campaigners from “Save Our Schools Sefton” – a group of parents, teachers, community members and students – held placards and shouted protests against the plans.