PARENTS and community leaders have been voicing their opinions on the news that two secondary schools in Yate and Winterbourne are applying for joint academy status.

The Gazette revealed two weeks ago that King Edmund Community School in Yate and The Ridings High School in Winterbourne hope to form a federation under a new Government initiative.

The scheme, a break away from the failed city academy programme, would see both schools become independent of South Gloucestershire Council and gain investment from industry and higher education authorities.

Both headteachers at the schools said the pioneering project would benefit pupils with a more extensive curriculum suited to their individual needs, staff with shared teaching methods and the wider community with more investment in facilities.

But Richard Warrilow, headteacher at Brimsham Green School in Yate, which shares a linked sixth form with King Edmund and Chipping Sodbury schools, said he would be keeping a close eye on the plans.

"It is early days yet and obviously we will be involved in discussions that will go on during the 12 months to come," he said.

"I want to ensure we will continue to work very closely with our neighbouring schools to provide the best education for local children.

"We are working constructively together at the moment and we will be involved in discussions at every stage of consultation and will make sure we are being kept in the loop."

Chipping Sodbury School headteacher Philip Lidstone said: "Whilst the announcement was unexpected I recognise that we have a very strong-spirited collaboration between the three schools in Yate and Chipping Sodbury.

"Any opportunities that arise out of this or any other development will be embraced by us at Chipping Sodbury School because we have the best interests of young people in this area at heart.

"But at the moment it is a case of waiting and watching and we need to see words on paper."

Mark Crew, whose 13-year-old daughter is a pupil at King Edmunds, said any investment in the school would be beneficial.

"The school is very run down and needs rebuilding really," he said. "The government should really invest in more teachers who can give the children individual attention."

Mr Crew, a former pupil of The Ridings, added: "If a child wants to learn they will do no matter what school they are at, but I do not think this plan can be a bad thing."

Yate town councillor Chris Wilmore expressed strong concern over the plans.

She said: "Once King Edmund is outside the authority's hands we could do nothing to stop it selling its land and moving away from the town.

"And how do we know the academy federation will not be used to send bright kids from King Edmunds to The Ridings and vice versa?

"I also have serious concerns over the federation's impact on the current sixth form link.

"We need a full explanation as to what King Edmund's academy status will mean for education in our area."