OXFORD University's refusal to 'adopt' academies such as Peers is another sign the new school will fail, campaigners have claimed.

The Government has been pushing top universities to support new city academies. Liverpool University is one of 21 institutions who have already signed up to do so.

But in a statement Oxford University distanced itself from institutions such as the new school being built in its backyard.

A spokesman said: "The university of Oxford strongly supports the goal of raising aspirations for all young people.

"Through our PGCE programme, we work closely with a network of 30 local schools and, although we would certainly consider strengthening these relationships, we would be reluctant to be formally associated with a single school."

Dona Velluti, of the Oxfordshire branch of the Anti Academies Alliance (AAA), said the university was wise to distance itself.

She said: "Results show that becoming academies has led to either no improvement, little improvement, or schools actually going backwards.

"In refusing to support the Academy, Oxford University clearly doesn't want to be involved with something that might fail."

But councillor Michael Waine, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for school improvement, said refusing to adopt the academy was: "a matter for Oxford University".

He said: "Oxfordshire County Council has already established one academy in Banbury, the North Oxfordshire Academy.

"Another academy is expected to open in Oxford in September 2008 on the site of Peers school, for which Oxford Brookes University is one of the sponsors.

"The council has not had difficulty attracting sponsors for these academies."

Oxfordshire County Council has agreed in principle to turn Peers School into an Academy.

The Anti Academies Alliance is opposed to schools being sponsored by private businesses.

Dona Velluti said: "Just creating a new building isn't going to turn Peers School around and creating an academy is just simply giving public money over to private control.

"The Local Education Authority should be given more money by the government to turn the school around."