CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to convert a Wollaston secondary school into an academy say they have serious concerns over the proposal.

A group of parents, school governors and community members have formed the Stop Ridgewood Academy Campaign.

The Park Road West school’s governing body is considering whether it should become an academy with a public consultation running till September 13.

But the group said the move would not improve standards and would mean the school would be unaccountable to the local authority.

It also said a short-term increase in funding would be swallowed up by the additional costs of running a stand alone school and called for a public meeting to be held at the end of the consultation.

Campaign spokesman, parent Richard Pennington, said: “The local authority may not be perfect, but is is accountable to the community through scrutiny by local councillors who must answer to us for their actions at the ballot box.”

He went on: “Academic success relies on inspirational teaching, a good learning environment and sufficient resources.

“Converting to an academy does not guarantee these things and as has been seen up and down the country there are good academies and there are bad academies just as there are good community schools and bad community schools - there is no reason why Ridgewood High School cannot achieve the success it aspires to by remaining within the Dudley family of schools.”

Headteacher Clive Nutting said the governors will make a decision on whether to press ahead with plans at the end of the consultation, taking into account submissions.

He said: “Ridgewood is performing well and therefore has the option to convert - the governors are therefore quite right in considering whether or not we will be better placed to maintain our development as an academy rather than remain a Foundation school.”

Mr Nutting said there had already been one public meeting, on July 10, which was attended by around 45 people and that at this point he didn’t think there was a need for a further meeting.

Follow the campaign on Twitter @StopRidgewood or on the Facebook page Stop Ridgewood Academy Stourbridge.