SCHOOLS in south Wiltshire have given a cautious welcome to the government’s plans to create more academies.

While freedom from council control that academy status brings with it sounds attractive, headteachers are worried about whether they will have the resources to cope with the extra responsibility, and say they need more information.

Schools rated outstanding by Ofsted are being offered fast-track academy status by September, while others that apply will undergo a speeded-up assessment process. More than 1,000 have already registered.

At Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury, headteacher Stuart Smallwood said: “From our perspective the proposal is a very interesting one, as it promises greater freedoms for us to do what is right for our boys.

“Approval of an application by us for academy status would be automatic, but we need to look very carefully at the financial implications.

“Some of the details are still being worked out by the Department for Education.”

South Wilts Grammar School headteacher Frances Stratton said: “We are looking into the possibility of becoming an academy. However no decision has yet been made, and none will be taken until we have all the information.”

At St Edmund’s School, headteacher Jacqui Goodall said: “It is frustrating for us as we have not yet achieved outstanding status, so we cannot automatically change. However, I have registered interest in the scheme.”

Mrs Goodall said it was disappointing that academy status would not bring any money for new buildings. “With the buildings in the state they are, we would have to think very carefully before taking on total responsibility for them.

“Our second concern is based on the local authority’s capacity to provide an efficient and effective service to those schools which do not opt out. There is real concern that provision for these schools will not meet the educational needs of our children.”

Primary schools can now become academies for the first time.

Two primaries that are rated outstanding and work closely together are Woodford Valley and Chilmark & Fonthill Bishop.

Woodford Valley headteacher Rebecca Carson said: “There is so little information about the scheme at the moment that most heads are feeling a bit hesitant. As church aided schools we hope to talk to the diocese about their understanding of it.”