The long-awaited decision to change the Island's education system from three tiers to two has been greeted with caution by one parents' group.

The Sheppey Parent's Action Group (SPAG) said it wil be "keeping a close eye" on develpmements after Kent County Council (KCC) announced yesterday (Wednesday)that the Island's education system will be changing from three-tiers to two.

The change was confirmed after the Department for Children, Schools and Families informed KCC that the funding agreement for the establishment of an £54m Academy from September 2009 has been signed by the Government.

A statement released by SPAG today (Thursday) said: "There is still a lot of detailed work to be done on the Academy."

When the Schools Adjudicator approved KCC’s proposal to move to two-tier on 25 July, he did so on the condition that ministers agree the establishment of an Academy on the Minster College and Cheyne Middle School sites within 15 working days of the date of his determination.

With the agreement in place, KCC can confirm that children who were in Year Four in a first school in the 2007/08 school year will remain in their present school in September 2008 as part of Year Five.

Cabinet member for education operations, resources and skills Councillor Mark Dance said: “Kent County Council is very pleased that this matter has been finally decided and is confident that the two-tier system will better serve the educational needs of Sheppey children.”

Dr Paul Mortimer, principal designate of the Academy, said: “This is a significant moment that finally brings stability to the Island and follows many months of hard work of all those involved in the Academy project.

"All sponsors are delighted to now be able to make significant progress towards developing inspirational education on the Island.

“The Academy will not only provide a first-class education for generations to come, but will also make a significant contribution to the local community from the outset.”

For full story see next week's Sheerness Times Guardian