CLEVEDON School could become the latest North Somerset secondary school to take on academy status.

Governors have voted unanimously to begin a consultation process to decide whether to apply to the Department for Education to convert to the status, which will allow the school more freedom when deciding on matters such as its finances and its curriculum

On June 9, the first consultation meeting for parents will take place in the school’s sixth form suite from 7pm. The consultation process will also include staff, students and community stake holders.

In a letter written to parents on Friday, headteacher John Wells said: “At all times I am ambitious to secure continued improvement for Clevedon School and seek to obtain the best possible resources and opportunities for the students.

“The national context is changing with the current government keen to develop new policies.

“The policies are re-directing funds and resources through different mechanisms and freeing up specific schools to have more autonomy and freedom to further expand their educational provision.

“To ensure Clevedon School continues to be at the forefront of education delivery and innovation, the Governing Body has unanimously agreed to begin the consultation process to decide whether Clevedon School should apply to the Department for Education for academy status.

“This is a new status, not a sponsor take-over model, but a school seeking to have independence to make key decisions about the education that it offers students.

“This will be a key decision for the future of the students, for those already at the school and for those who will be members of the school in years to come.”

To keep parents and interested parties up-to-date with the academy consultation, Clevedon School has also created a dedicated page on its website where information will be posted and a parent blog area created.

Already this year, Backwell School and Gordano School in Portishead have converted to academy status.