The future of a Richmond primary school is uncertain as proposals to turn it into an academy are put forward.

Every Child, Every Day Academy Trust (ECEDAT), a multi-academy trust that runs two secondary schools, has proposed to take over Darell Primary and Nursery School.

ECEDAT currently controls Grey Court School in Ham and Hollyfield School in Surbiton.

The governing body of the school has stated that turning into an academy would allow the sharing of resources and give the school complete control of its land, buildings, admissions, and hiring of staff.

It would also receive its share of funding directly from the Department for Education and not be obliged to follow the National Curriculum.

Opposition spokesperson for education Cllr Penny Frost said she is “not particularly in favour” of turning primary schools into academies and that there are other models which might be more suited to them.

She said: “They run the risk of getting swallowed up.

“Federation is a good model for primaries.”

Federation is when two or more schools are governed collectively under a single governing body.

It works on the basis that all schools have their own particular strengths, such as facilities, staff or resources, and these can be shared to the benefit of each school.

One of the main issues some parents and staff have with the current situation is that the only choice for improving the school, which has been dropping in student numbers and thereby losing funds, is an academy.

An action group made up of staff, parents and concerned residents was formed in November 2016 in response to the proposal.

A spokesperson for the group, Love Darell, said: “Love Darell hopes that the governing body will pause the consultation, withdraw from the ‘academy pipeline’ and present more than one option for the future of the school.”

Other concerns with regard to a changeover to academy include lack of accountability, lack of education experience among the trust members, and valuing financial gain over pupil’s educational welfare.

In addition, there is no ballot for staff and parents so they will have no say in the future of the school. 

Labour Party Candidate of the recent Richmond Park Constituency By-Election Christian Wolmar said: “This worries me enormously.  It is really about privatisation. 

“The notion that ‘academies’ offer more variety and freedom is misplaced. 

“It is about the creation of large entities which are a precursor to full privatisation. 

“It has not worked well in Sweden and will not work well here.”

The consultation period on Darell began on Monday, November 21 and is running until January 9.