School governor blasts millionaire

Michelle Atkin, 38, of Newton Street, Darwen, said she was angry when she read Rod Aldridge's interview in the Lancashire Telegraph in which he said parents at the school lacked passion and ambition.

Mr Aldridge had said he was surprised by parents' and pupils' willingness to put up with years of poor results - which he said were still worryingly low, despite recent improvements.

And he said the school's bad exam record would have made him angry if his children were there.

But Mr Aldridge has now pledged to speak to Mrs Atkin after being informed about her comments. He said: "I feel there are lots of people out there like her who I want to connect with."

Moorland is due to close in September 2008 to be replaced with a £34million academy which Mr Aldridge has helped set up with a donation of £2million.

Mrs Atkin's daughter Kezia, 18, was at Moorland when it was placed in special measures in 2002.

She said: "As a parent I am actively involved in the school and the education of my children.

"I was angry when I read his comments. I think he was out of order. He has made a sweeping statement about parents."

The school came out of special measures in March this year and results have steadily risen.

Mrs Atkin and her husband Neil have six children - Kezia, Robert, 20, Tammy, 11, Leih, seven, Lucas, 5, and Jayna, two.

Mrs Atkin sits on the governing bodies of Moorland, Sudell Primary School and Darwen Children Centre where her children attend.

She said: "I did this after two of my children suffered as a result of Moorland going into special measures - it's my way of ensuring it does not happen again."

Mrs Atkin said she wanted a chance to sit on the trustee board of the £34million academy as it would directly affect four of her children.

She said: "I will be able to contribute positively and bring much needed passion to it that he feels Darwen's parents lack."