ONE of the country’s leading public schools is being lined up to become a joint sponsor of a bid to build a specialist secondary school academy on the Isle of Sheppey.

Dulwich College, in south London, has provisionally agreed to become a co-sponsor of the academy if it gets the go-ahead.

The college is one of the most successful fee-paying independent schools in the country and already has links with a number of state schools, mainly in Southwark. It is a strong supporter of the Government’ academy initiative and its involvement with the Sheppey proposal will be regarded as a coup by KCC.

However, the college has indicated it will not provide any financial help for the academy bid and instead will offer teaching expertise and guidance. It would also be represented on the governing body.

The possible involvement of Dulwich College has been revealed in documents disclosed to the Sheerness Times Guardian under the Freedom of Information Act. However, county councillors appeared unhappy that details of the sponsorship they have brokered had become public.

Cllr Paul Carter, KCC’s cabinet member for education, expressed surprise that the information had been released.

“We are in really sensitive negotiations with ministers and potential sponsors and I am not prepared to discuss it until we have some concrete proposals put forward because it could be prejudicial to the interests of people on the island,” he said.

The documents also reveal that Kent County Council education chiefs have still not yet had approval from the Department for Education to press ahead with its bid.

The authority expected to hear in October but four months later, is still waiting to hear from the Government.

E-mails reveal that while the DfES has agreed “in principle” to the expression of interest, it remains concerned about some of the details. Schools and parents on the island have been angered because they claim KCC has refused to discuss its plans openly with the community.

But the emails suggest KCC’s hands have been tied because the DfES has not yet sanctioned its plans.

In December, Graham Badman, KCC’s education director pressed Neil Flint, the DfES official which is overseeing the academy plan, for the green light.

He wrote: “It would be helpful to have the official ‘green light’ to begin the feasibility study from you so that we can begin engaging with the local community. I understand you want some changes to our early submission and am very happy to consider your requirements and would understand that authorisation from you was on the basis of addressing issues of concern.”

In a reply sent in early January, Mr Flint says “we are content in principle with Sheppey, but remain concerned about some of the details.” What those concerns are is not spelt out.

Cllr Carter, said he too was unable to say why there was a hold up. “I really do not know the reason for the blockage. Civil servants obviously do need to brief ministers and we have had a change in the Secretary of State. I would ask people on the island to be patient so we can deliver the very best solution.”

Dulwich College was unavailable for comment.