A SECONDARY school has applied to become an academy.

Shoeburyness High School is set to press ahead with the plans, which would give it independence from the local authority.

The move comes following a glowing report from education watchdog Ofsted, which praised the school’s outstanding features, including the guidance and support it offers to students.

If the bid is successful, the school would: l Control its budget l Choose its curriculum l Introduce its own pay and conditions for staff l Be able to change term and class times.

Headteacher Mark Schofield is keen to give Shoebury residents a school they can have a say in.

Mr Schofield said: “Over the last six years we have made great progress and we have always tried to be at the forefront of education, so we feel becoming an academy would be the next step.

“We also want to make it a community school.

“We already have strong links within the Shoebury community, including holding the Shoebury fair here, and evening classes, and we think becoming an academy would allow us to continue to strengthen those links.”

Staff, parents of pupils and members of the local community have been asked for their views on the potential change at the school in Caulfield Road, which caters for 1,622 students.

Mr Schofield said the general feedback had been good.

He added: “Since we have told parents and the governors, they have all really backed the idea, and I do not think we have had anyone criticise it at all.”

Sue Hadley, Southend Council’s head of children’s commissioning and learning infrastructure, said the authority would continue to support the school if it became an academy.

She said: “Academy schools have different management and financial arrangements to schools which are maintained by local authorities.

“However, the council remains committed to working with all schools in the borough, whatever their governance status, to continually improve outcomes for children.”

Following the inspection, Ofsted gave the school an overall good rating, but it found the school’s promotion of equal opportunities outstanding.

In addition, inspectors said: “The drive and enthusiasm of the outstanding headteacher and senior leadership team has focused the school on raising standards through creating a culture of high expectations that both staff and students support.”

A final decision on the application to become an academy is due to be made by the Department for Education in August.