AMBITIOUS plans for the redevelopment of Canterbury’s Montgomery School as an independent specialist academy have won the backing of county councillors.

But their support for the £5million project, which county education chiefs hope will transform the school’s fortunes, was coupled with a warning the plan must not be at the expense of other schools in the area.

Members of Kent County Council’s cross-party Schools Organisation Advisory Board gave their unanimous backing to the scheme at a meeting on Thursday.

It paves the way for the education authority to formally "close" the Montgomery School later this month, a move that will trigger a formal public consultation on the academy proposal.

If the plan is accepted, the school, which has about 350 pupils, would then "re-open" as an academy in September next year.

Councillors were united in welcoming the initiative, saying the change in status offered the best chance for the school, which has suffered from poor results, falling pupil numbers and high levels of truancy.

Canterbury South East councillor Michael Northey said: "This is a great opportunity for the school. We must take advantage of what is on offer. The new ethos and accommodation is bound to improve perceptions and I hope children will respond."

Rupert Bristow, director of education for the Canterbury Diocesan Board of Education, said the academy needed to forge partnerships with others.

"If this proposal goes through, it is terribly important for those in charge to bring a fresh start to this school and be sensitive to the aspirations and provision in other secondary schools in the area."

Education chiefs said a dip in pupil numbers across the county, caused by a falling birth rate, was less marked in Canterbury and other schools would not suffer.

Many of the current buildings will be completely refurbished and the academy will have £500,000 sponsorship from the Herne Bay-based Crown Products and Holiday Extras, a firm near Hythe.