Academy school candidates revealed

June 25 2010

More than 1,500 British schools have expressed an interest in becoming an academy.

Figures released through freedom of information laws show that a wide range of schools are set to apply for the status, the BBC reports.

These include 828 that have previously been rated as outstanding by Ofsted.

If new legislation is passed by the government, then some of these schools can become academies as early as September.

However, Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said the most headteachers are not interested in signing up and are happy with their current situations.

"The vast majority are extremely wary of cutting themselves free from their local community of schools and from the in-depth support and advice provided by their local authority," she told the BBC.

A statement was issued earlier this month by the National Grammar Schools Association, urging principals not to apply for academy status until more information is known.

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