Parents 'misled' on academy plans

Axton Chase parents held a protest at the school on Monday

Parents at a Kent comprehensive school have staged a demonstration against plans to turn it into an academy.

They believe they have been misled about plans for Axton Chase School, Longfield which would be federated with neighbouring Leigh Academy.

"We want a new building and more funding but we don't want to lose our head teacher," said parent Jane Legg.

Kent County Council (KCC) spokesman, Dr Ian Craig, said: "This is not a done deal - it is a consultation process."

The parents welcomed plans, announced in January, to build a £25m new school to replace Axton Chase's 1960s premises.

'Needs rebuilding'

Existing pupils will transfer to the new academy this September if it is approved following public consultation.

But Mrs Legg, who has three sons at the school, said parents did not realise the full implications until they received brochures prior to the consultation.

"I think we have been misled.

"We were told we were going to have a wonderful school - and it does need rebuilding," she said.

"What we were not told was that we will possibly have 60 children in a class.

"We have also now been told we will lose our head teacher and our children will have to take an examination to get into the academy - it will not be like a comprehensive."

Dr Craig said he did not believe the parents had been misled.

"We have consistently talked about a federated academy with Leigh Academy from day one," he said.

"It will mean that Axton stays as a separate school but with an overall management and governing body for the two.

"I would say that some governors are not happy and some parents are not happy, but I have spoken to many who are happy."

Public meetings are being held at Axton Chase on Tuesday and at Leigh Academy on Thursday.