PHILIP Morant School and College in Colchester has submitted an application to become an academy.

Parents and staff have until July 6 to have their say on the proposals and a final decision is expected to be made by governors on July 13.

About 40 parents attended a meeting at the school.

Forms have also been sent out to the families of pupils asking for their views.

Academy status would allow the school to choose its curriculum, introduce its own pay and conditions for staff, and change term times or times of classes.

Rob James, deputy headteacher, said the application could still be withdrawn.

He said the school was also holding meetings with staff and union representatives over the proposals.

He said: “The consultation period has started.

“Parents and staff will be involved and the governors will be looking at all the options and implications of converting.

“At the moment we are very open-minded and we will look at the pros and cons of conversion. This includes the advantages it will give us in terms of the curriculum, as well as the potential disadvantages in tems of costs and implications for staff employment.”

Colchester MP Bob Russell said the school should be consulting the whole community.

It is asking for the views of parents of existing pupils and children due to start secondary school in September.

Mr Russell said: “I think it is a valid criticism the school has a narrow consultation.

“I think Philip Morant really should be consulting all the parents of children in feeder primary schools as well as the wider community.

“What’s to stop them consulting everybody?

“I think they should be embracing the community.”