The end of a school year at Castle Community College has been celebrated with the news that the school will become an academy in September.

Principal Christine Chapman told pupils the news on Friday, the last day of an academic year that has seen many talks of change - including recently abandoned plans to amalgamate with Walmer Science College.

She said: "We are delighted because this means the site is now guaranteed and part of the land here can not be sold off by Kent County Council."

More money will be pumped into the college which has twice been rated outstanding by Ofsted because the status means cash comes direct from central Government and does not have to pass through the Local Education Authority (LEA) at Kent County Council.

Mrs Chapman does not yet know how much this will amount to.

Freedom in setting school timetables and the curriculum will also benefit students.

She hopes the school will become an academy by September 1, in time for the new school year.

"We’re delighted that we can continue to develop the Deal Performing Arts Academy and our football academy.

"It means the astro turf is secured and we can look more closely into working with the local community," she added.

The school was invited to apply for academy status in June, which, together with the announcement that the Building Schools for the Future funding had been cut, shook merger plans with Walmer Science College.