A North Somerset secondary school will convert into an academy later this year.

St Katherine’s School, in Pill, will become part of the Inspirational Futures Trust – a leading sponsor of academies in the South West – after an executive decision by North Somerset Council in February.

The council’s decision notice states: “St Katherine’s School is converting to an academy and joining the inspirational futures academy trust.

“The planned conversion date will be no earlier than April 1.

“The lease will be granted at a peppercorn rent with the academy being responsible for the future maintenance and repair of the buildings and site and other outgoings.

“The council will incur some costs in undertaking legal and other work required to complete the conversion.

“The new academy will receive funding from the Department for Education as a contribution towards its conversion cost.”

The school says it has been considering becoming an academy for ‘some time’ and that the increase in funding which is enjoyed by academies is the main reason for finally making the move.

A spokesman for the school said: “The majority of secondary schools in North Somerset and Bristol are currently academies.

“Governors of St Katherine’s School have been considering becoming an academy for some time as the school would benefit from increased funding that is not available to local authority schools.

“We expect to convert at some point before the end of this academic year.

“The organisation, leadership and ethos of our school will continue as normal.”