A school is hoping to become an academy - sparking fears it will be “run like a private business”.

A letter sent by Briary Primary in Herne Bay two weeks ago revealed governors had decided to open a consultation into it becoming a part of the East Kent College trust.

The missive, co-signed by acting head teacher Nicky Murrell, insists the plan “is the best choice” for funding and education reasons.

It also claims that, over the last 12 months, the level of support it has received from Kent County Council has fallen.

The letter said: “Finances are very challenging across the sector and the trust we have selected is a partnership organisation alongside a very large group of further education colleges.”

The move will see the school be run independently of Kent County Council and instead receive funding directly from the Department for Education.

This means that the trust will be responsible for employing teachers and managing Briary’s land and buildings.

'We believe joining the trust will give us additional tools to meet the needs of our pupils and community for many years to come' - Briary Primary School head teacher Nicky Murrell

The letter continued: “There won’t be any expensive changes to uniform.

“The school will also continue to set its own admissions criteria, able to accept and grow provision in line with the needs of the community.”

Herne Bay Labour campaigner Anne Belworthy has criticised the plans, fearing repercussions on the quality of teaching.

She said: “Instead of focusing on delivering what works to get the best results for pupils, academies are run like a private business.

"We are against the independence that academies have in the employment of staff and the qualifications accepted by academies and the salary paid to their teachers.

“There is no input at all from the local authority and the qualifications of the teachers employed again are up to the board of an academy school.

“So for the obvious reasons Labour is concerned that staff may not always be of the best possible standard.”

Responding to Ms Belworthy's criticisms, Ms Murrell said: "Our governing body took the decision to consult on joining the East Kent College trust after significant debate on whether it would enhance the exceptional educational experience we already deliver.

"We resolved to open this consultation with staff, students and other community stakeholders because we believe joining the trust will give us additional tools to meet the needs of our pupils and community for many years to come.

"Becoming a part of the trust will ensure we have access to enhanced centralised services, as well as a range of curriculum opportunities which we don’t currently have.”

After the consultation closes on October 2, the school’s governing body will decide whether to legally complete the process of becoming an academy.

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