Nine schools register interest for academy status

But only six were ranked “outstanding” during the last Ofsted inspection and eligible to convert into an academy from September.

They are the Royal Grammar School and John Hampden Grammar School in High Wycombe, Dr Challoner's Grammar School in Amersham, Seer Green C of E Combined, Chalfont C of E School and Coleshill Church of England Infant School.

Highcrest Community School, Wycombe High School, and Chesham High School have also expressed an interest in academy status but are currently ineligible.

All schools will eventually be able to apply for academy status later this year.

The Government has hailed academies of an opportunity for schools to make improvements through greater independence - but a union leader today warned of strikes.

Academies are out of local-authority control, giving them freedom from the National Curriculum and the ability to change the length of school terms and times.

They are also given funding directly from the government, including the money taken by councils to provide education services, and can set their own pay and conditions for staff.

RGS headteacher Roy Page said: “We have expressed an interest. I think the opportunities it presents for the the needs of RGS are attractive but we still have many un-answered questions about the scheme.

“The governors and I have discussed it at length but we haven't made any decision yet and we will of course consult with parents before we make any decision.

“The Department for Education has said academies can start up in September, January or next year – but I think September is too close and too quick for us to consider that.”

More than 1,700 UK schools have contact the Department for Education to register an interest becoming an academy.

They will then have to decide whether to formally apply for academy status, with the final decision resting with the Government.

John Hampden Grammar School, High Wycombe.

John Hampden headteacher Stephen Nokes said: “We have registered an interest because we want to be able to have a proper look into it.

“The lack of bureaucracy, the choices over the curriculum, exam boards and more control etc – it sounds interesting, but it is very early stages yet.

“We have a lot of detail to look at, we are consulting with staff, the governors and we will ask parents, so it won't be this term in which we make a decision either way.

“I would imagine that we will make a decision one way or the other next term.”

Education ministers named the schools after requests from teaching unions and parents.

Lord Hill, parliamentary under-secretary of state for schools said: "I am delighted that so many schools have expressed an interest, and that over 900 outstanding schools are interested in becoming academies.

“Every school expressing an interest will have a named contact in the Department, who can answer their questions and guide them through the process.

“At the same time, we expect schools to keep their governors, staff and parents updated on progress.

“This is a genuinely permissive policy, there is no pressure for any school to convert by September, and they can do so at any time, when they feel they are ready.

"We want schools to decide what's best for them, not politicians or bureaucrats.”

Yet Annette Pryce, Bucks secretary of the National Union of Teachers, hit out at the move – and warned of strikes.

She said: “The NUT is firmly opposed to this expansion of academies and will support our members in local strike action if they wish to challenge any move to academy status.”

Miss Pryce said: “These ‘outstanding schools’ have been part of the local authority when they became outstanding – so what is the point of them moving away from local authority now, and losing the expertise of the support services that help them currently?”

She said school will not be required to consult residents and parents and would lose vital council support such as for special needs and school transport.

Miss Pryce said: “School admissions arrangements will become increasingly chaotic, and the mechanism for schools to work together on all sorts of issues will be broken.”

While councils will ‘never be perfect’ she said they are a ‘safety net’ if schools hit problems. Staff felt ‘more secure’ in council’s employment, she said.

The authority had to step in and run payroll for Beaconsfield High School recently because of cash crisis.

She said: “Economies of scale prevent individual schools from replicating the expertise and funds available through local authorities to deal with these things.”

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