The four–year consultation into Sheppey’s education system is still not over following Cheyne Middle School’s last-minute appeal against the proposed £48m academy.

Parents of pupils at West Minster Primary School, St George’s Avenue, Sheerness, are furious at the continuing delay because they and other Islanders still do not know which schools their Year 4 pupils will go to this September.

They have put up a banner outside their school, which states: “Year 4s want to stay so bring the academy our way.”

One of the mothers outside the school on Monday morning was Michelle Moon, of Royal Road, Sheerness, who said: “I think the academy would be a great idea and give the children of the Island great opportunities, better technology and choice in their education.”

Sheppey MP Derek Wyatt said: “It is not a helpful scenario but I am hopeful there will be a quick resolution but it is in the hands of the adjudicator and we can only go as fast as he can. I think Cheyne Middle School has acted irresponsibly.”

Mr Wyatt raised the subject of the continuing delays in Parliament on Monday afternoon with Ed Balls, the secretary of state for children, schools and families, who said he would look into it as a matter of urgency.

Dr Ian Craig, director of operations at Kent County Council, said: “We are determined to move ahead with the proposal to change the Island’s schools from three to two tier, with an academy on two sites. As is required by legislation, a public notice was published. The governing body of Cheyne Middle School has raised a formal objection to the proposal, which now requires the school adjudicator to make a decision which is binding on all parties.

“He hopes to do this quickly so that parents and their children on the Island can soon have clarity about their future.”