TWO schools in Hyndburn are pursuing plans to convert into academies.

The Department for Education is currently considering applications from St Christopher’s CofE High School in Accrington and All Saints CofE Primary School, Clayton-le-Moors.

All Saints CofE Primary School headteacher Ian Spencer said converting to an academy would ‘protect the interests of the school’ and vowed to make the Ofsted outstanding rated school ‘even better’.

Converting to an academy would free schools from local authority control.

It would allow the school to take charge of its finances, give more freedom over the national curriculum and take charge of its admissions.

To date Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and St Wilfrid’s CofE Academy have opened as academies while the Department for Education approved applications from Bowland High School, Grindleton, and Belthorn Foundation Primary School and it is considering an application from Beardwood Humanities College, Blackburn.

Headteacher Mr Spencer said: “We are hoping to open as an academy on October 1.

“We have a good relationship with the local authority and the diocese and we are doing everything we can to continue that relationship.

“But the main reason we want to become an academy is that as a church aided school we wanted to protect our status and this is one of the best ways we can.

“We want to be in charge of our future and we want to be pioneering.

“It is a daunting prospect but we want to protect the future of the school and don’t want to make any decision that may jeopardise that. We want to make the school even better.”

Lancashire County Councillor Susie Charles, who is the cabinet member for children and schools, said: “We consider all categories of school to be of equal value.

“A change of status is a big decision for a school, and the county council will help with advice on the process schools need to follow, although those wanting to become academies would have to apply direct to the Department for Education, not the county council.

“We have drawn up a briefing paper for schools giving them information about what any change might mean on a practical level.”