SCHOOL governors have decided to press ahead with Academy plans just weeks after a headteacher denied any such proposals were in the pipeline.

Christine Spencer, head of Salendine Nook High School, said last month there were “no plans at the moment” for the school to become an Academy.

But governors voted to launch consultation on the school becoming an Academy, on Wednesday.

And an email was sent to staff following the meeting, from Mrs Spencer, saying the governing body had decided to move to consultation to seek Academy status.

The proposals by the school – which had the best GCSE results of any Kirklees Council-supported school last year – would mean the school becoming independent of Kirklees and being directly funded by central government.

Academies can also obtain money from outside groups including businesses and charitable groups and are free to set their own curriculum and terms and conditions for staff.

This has prompted concerns from teaching unions.

Joanne Bailey-Taylor, secretary of Kirklees NASUWT which has 2,100 members in Kirklees, said the union was extremely concerned about the decision.

“Academies are creating private businesses whose interest is not for children,’’ she said. “We do not believe this decision is in the best interests of the children.

“Why does this school need to convert to Academy status when it is doing well already and Ofsted stated it was good with outstanding features only two weeks ago?”

Mrs Spencer said in April she was “really cross” about “local scaremongering” regarding the possible conversion of the 1,350 student school.

But former Lindley councillor Tony Woodhead, who represented the area, said at the time that he believed the conversion process had already started months ago.

He said then: “They are certainly making plans.

“I think the whole thing needs a lot more public debate and discussion because it’s all being done fairly quickly.”

The academies programme was launched by the last Labour government but has been accelerated by the current Conservative/Lib Dem coalition.

Mr Woodhead warned Salendine Nook High not to rush into the change.

“I don’t want it to become an Academy without a lot of debate and a clear indication that it will lead to better education for children,” he said.

“If you’re a governor you’re taking on a lot of responsibility. They are going to be walking a tight-rope without a safety net because you won’t be able to ask council officers what to do. Converting to an academy is a one-way ticket. Once you’ve gone, that’s it. You can’t then say ‘oh dear, it wasn’t a good idea’.”

The NASUWT, NUT, ATL and Unison have called a joint meeting on Wednesday June 8 at 7pm at the YMCA, New Hey Road, Salendine Nook for parents and anyone concerned about the conversion to Academy status.

The Examiner contacted Salendine Nook High for a comment but the school did not respond.