Sutton Council has joined calls by parents to block proposals to add Camden Junior School to South London's Harris Federation of academies.

The borough’s leaders have written to education minister, Lord Nash, backing a parent-led campaign against the charity, Harris Federation, taking over the Carshalton primary school.

The letter, from council leader Ruth Dombey and children, families and education committee chairman, Councillor Dave Callaghan, expresses their preference for Camden Junior School to be sponsored by Greenshaw High School in Sutton.

Your Local Guardian: Council leader Ruth Dombey

Coun Dombey said: “Many parents are concerned about the Department for Education's preference for an external sponsor.

“We believe the vast majority of parents would rather the sponsorship came from a high performing school in the borough, as this would ensure the community still remain working in unison, with Sutton schools collaborating and co-operating for the benefit of all pupils.”

Your Local Guardian: Dave Callaghan

Coun Callaghan added: “Sutton Council is wholeheartedly supporting the campaign for Greenshaw Educational Trust to sponsor Camden Junior School. We believe it should be the local community working with the schools who decide the best arrangement for the children.”

Camden Junior School has been told by the government it must become an academy and the preferred sponsor is charity the Harris Federation.

But Sutton Council believes that Camden Juniors becoming a sponsored academy with Greenshaw will benefit pupils more because Greenshaw will have a better understanding about what pupils and parents in Sutton need.

They also say that considerable improvements have been made at Camden Juniors in the last 12 months since it was put into special measures. 

Greenshaw Educational Trust has a commitment to maintaining links with the local community and has track record of working with other schools.