MORE primary schools in the Chippenham area are converting to academy status to have independence from local authority control.

While 56 per cent of secondary schools nationwide are now academies, the figure for primary schools is 11 per cent.

Queen’s Crescent and St Peter’s both became academies in September, while Christian Malford was recently blessed by the Suffragan Bishop of Swindon after its conversion in December last year.

As academies, these three primaries, plus By Brook Valley in Yatton Keynell which converted two years ago, have the freedom to set their own curriculums and change the length of terms and the school day.

They are still publicly funded but now bypass Wiltshire Council and receive money directly from the Department for Education.

Christian Malford said it was “blossoming” as part of the Diocese of Bristol Multi Academy Trust.

Claire Kennedy, chair of the local board, said the support the head receives from the diocese is similar to what came from Wiltshire Council.

She said: “We wanted to strengthen the link with the church and because there are fewer schools involved in the academy trust than the council, so you get a more personal touch.”

It will keep the curriculum and times the same to give consistency to parents.

St Peter’s also chose to be sponsored by the Diocese of Bristol. Julia Harle, in her sixth year as headteacher, said: “We felt we needed to have the support of being in a small group, working very closely with other headteachers to raise standards even more. That gives our children the best educational support they can have, part of this small team that will support us in our Christian ethos.

“All responsibility for special educational needs stays with Wiltshire Council.”

Queen’s Crescent decided to convert on its own as a single academy trust.

Head Julia Hawkins said: “Academy status will allow our school to have greater freedom from the curriculum. In addition we will be able to access grants that are only available to academy schools.”

A report out last week by thinktank Policy Exchange, recommended all maintained schools should be converted into academies in the next five years.