FURIOUS parents are demanding to have a say in the future of their children’s school after reports it could make the switch to an academy.

A petition over changes at Bisham School has been signed by more than 400 people since it was launched last week, and has attracted hundreds of comments in support.

Parents argue the successful primary school – though to date back around 500 years - should not undergo any radical changes without proper consultation.

The petition says: "Our school is progressing and needs no forced intervention. We want the voice of the parents to be respected and heard and to keep our democratic right to have a say in the running of the school.

"We want to be able to support and play a part in the school improving and developing in line with the well established culture and ethos.

"We may choose to become part of an academy but that should be through informed choice which we make after having a suitable period of time to consider and choose. This should not be the outcome of tactics and force by outside bodies."

Academies are funded directly from the government rather than councils and are not forced to follow the national curriculum.

A school can volunteer to convert to an academy, or it can be changed via government intervention.

It is understood the Bisham School itself has not sought the conversion.

The Bisham petition is addressed to MP Theresa May, education secretary Nicky Morgan and decision makers at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM), the Local Education Authority.

The school was awarded ‘good’ status at its last full Ofsted inspection in 2012.

A special one-off inspection was carried out in April after the body said its Chief Inspector was ‘concerned about behaviour at the school’, although the feedback from the visit was positive.

Concerned parents met with representatives from the RBWM late last week to discuss any proposed changes.

Headteacher Jim Cooke has been at the helm since 1985 at the Church Lane school. The school was unable to comment.

RBWM says any decision for Bisham School to become an academy is out of its hands.

Spokesman Shauna Hitchens said: "The council is supportive of schools converting, if it is appropriate for the school, but it is the secretary of state that makes the decision."

It is understood parents were planning to meet with the director of Children’s Services at RWBM last night to get more information and ask questions about the current situation at the school.

The petition can be found here.