CLEVEDON School could become an academy as soon as February 1.

The Valley Road school hopes to opt out of local authority control after applying to the Government’s Education Secretary to make the move.

Clevedon School announced in June that it was to investigate the option of becoming an academy after its governors voted unanimously for the move. A consultation was then held with parents.

An academy has more freedom to control its finances, curriculum and any partnerships it wishes to form.

To allow the conversion to happen, North Somerset Council will lease the land and school buildings it currently owns to the newly-formed Clevedon academy for 125 years at a peppercorn rent. The academy would then be responsible for maintaining them.

A document is due to be signed off by the council’s executive member for asset management, Tony Lake, and executive member for children and young people’s services, Jeremy Blatchford, from today (Wed) to allow this to happen.

The document says the school could become an academy on February 1 subject to all relevant matters being finalised in time.

Backwell School and Gordano School are already operating as academies after converting in April and July respectively.