A HEADMASTER is promising evolution and not revolution as a Marlow grammar school looks to convert into an academy.

Governors of Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in West Street passed a resolution in February to begin the process of transformation into an academy.

The school launched a public consultation on Tuesday asking people to give their views on the plans, which would see the school take up its new status in June.

Headteacher Dr Peter Holding said becoming an academy would enhance the school, but is pledging natural growth as opposed to radical reform.

He said: “Broadly speaking, the changes we have in mind are natural, not remarkable changes – it’s a continuous progression.

“It would give us freedom of curriculum, financial freedom and more money.

“We’re not planning any ridiculous changes but it just means that we can opt out of any new Government policy that we do not believe would enhance the school.

“It also means we can take the money currently held by the authority and use it where we believe it is most needed – so all in all, it would enhance the school.”

Dr Holding added that he did not believe the school needed to “get rid or add” any new facilities at the current time, but early plans to tweak the curriculum to offer subjects such as Chinese were on the drawing board.

The school is also mulling over expanding its work within Marlow to offer an increased community service program to enable students to gain more work experience, extend their learning and carry out coaching classes.

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.

Parents, pupils and residents have until Tuesday, April 26 to take part in the school’s consultation. School governors will make the final decision.