PARENTS and staff have been sent consultation papers asking them for their views on transforming Salisbury High School into a new academy.

The proposal already has the backing of the government, the Diocese of Salisbury, Wiltshire Council and the private Bryanston School, near Blandford, which would be sponsoring and sharing expertise with the academy.

Now parents, teachers, governors, primary schools and other parties have been asked to have their say on whether Salisbury High should reopen as an academy next September or stay as it is.

They will also have the chance to put other options forward.

Yesterday evening a meeting was held at the school to give people living in the west of Salisbury the chance to find out more.

If the academy does go ahead it would open in its current buildings, which would be replaced by a new school by 2013.

The head of the council's department for children and education, Carolyn Godfrey, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for west Salisbury and everyone connected with the school.

"Should the academy go ahead on the site, its facilities would be widely accessible and we would ensure it would be at the very heart of the community.

"The sponsors have combined considerable strengths and a clear vision to maximise the potential of every child."

Further copies of the consultation document are available at the school and on the council's website www.wiltshire.gov.uk.

The results of the consultation will go before Wiltshire Council’s cabinet, which will make a decision on whether to close the school and reopen it as an academy.