STRIKE action may be considered by a teachers’ union whose members are angry at a decision to turn Bentworth Primary School into an ARK Academy.

Governors at the Shepherd’s Bush school voted in favour of the switch after a consultation and say their decision will improve standards.

Parents have backed the move but teachers argue the change is not needed and claim their views have been ignored.

National Union of Teachers representative Dennis Charman claim governors rushed through the decision and said there was a mandate to strike if that is what the teachers want.

Mr Charman said: “I don’t rule out a strike – not at all. I am planning a meeting with teachers very soon to see how we can go about challenging the situation. It’s been rushed, they made a decision in two days.

“These teachers will be feeling very despondent because they have been utterly ignored and it is very tough for them.

“The last thing I want to see is people resigning because of this but I wouldn’t be surprised.”

ARK, an education charity, will now take over the running of the school from the council and could extend the school day, a move which teachers oppose.

But parents say the changes will improve standards, with nearly 500 signing a petition to council leader Stephen Greenhalgh.

In an accompanying letter, they laid out their criticisms, saying ‘it is a known fact that many of our children are falling behind the level of attainment expected of them’.

They also slammed the lack of provision for children with special educational needs, and the ‘patronising attitude’ from the school towards parents.

Mr Charman says lack of leadership has been the main problem since the resignation of Tony Proud last summer and the installation of interim head Karen Bastick-Styles, the second of this academic year.

ARK already runs fellow W12 schools Burlington Danes Academy and ARK Conway Primary School.

The council has backed the latest acquisition.

Lesley Smith, of ARK Schools, said teachers can be reassured their current employment terms will be honoured and vowed to make a success of the switch, which will happen in September.

“Governors took this decision because they are ambitious and want stability,” she said. “I’m aware there are some members of staff who want reassurances that we have their interests at heart and that is certainly the case.”