THE only primary school in Harrow to apply to become an academy has abandoned its bid because governors were “not convinced of the benefits”, its headteacher confirmed.

Originally five infant or junior schools submitted an expression of interest to the Department for Education to change their status and gain more independence in curricular, financial and staff matters.

Whitchurch First School and Nursery in Wemborough Road, Stanmore, was the only one which progressed to a formal application and it was actually referred to - although not by name - in the House of Commons by education secretary Michael Gove last week.

However its headteacher Anne Winstrom told the Observer: “Whitchurch First and Nursery School expressed an interest in converting to academy status and we made an application to the Department for Education so that the school could investigate the benefits further.

“While our school has been rated outstanding by Ofsted, we constantly look at all options to improve education standards even further. However, the governing body at Whitchurch Junior School is not currently looking at converting to academy status.

“We are also not convinced that academy status will benefit the First School at this time and will soon write to the Department for Education to advise them.”

The other primary schools to express an interest but not submit a formal application for conversion were:

Cannon Lane First School in Cannonbury Avenue, Pinner;

St John Fisher Catholic Primary School in Melrose Road, Pinner;

Stanburn First School in Abercorn Road, Stanmore, and;

Newton Farm Nursery, First and Middle School in Ravenswood Crescent, South Harrow.

Dame Reena Keeble, headtacher of Cannon Lane First School, said: “We had been invited by the secretary of state to become an academy because of our outstanding Ofsted so we said: 'Tell us more'. We had a dialogue with the Department for Education.

“It was discussed at a governors' meeting and they felt they didn't want to proceed at that stage but they have said they want to keep a watching brief on the situation. They're going to review it in the autumn term.”

It is anticipated that seven Harrow high schools, all except Whitmore High School in Porlock Avenue, West Harrow and The Sacred Heart Language College and Salvatorian College in High Road, Harrow Weald, will become academies in time for the new academic year in September.

What do you think? Is it a good idea that no primary schools are actively pursuing academy status? Contact Ian Proctor at ianproctor@trinitysouth.co.uk