A school which has been pulled out of special measures has applied to become an academy.

Richmond Primary, in Nursery Close, Sheerness, is consulting parents, governors and staff and a decision is expected to be made in November, with the change coming into effect in April 2014.

Kent County Council (KCC) appointed Lilac Sky Schools (LSS) on a three-year contract to run the school after its damning 2011 Ofsted report.

Since then things have improved and it was taken out of special measures in July.

Principal Annie Donaldson says they have applied for academy status so LSS can stay on-board and continue to improve things. It is a government directive that every school which is put into special measures must apply to become an academy.

LSS is currently working towards converting one other school to an academy, with plans for another seven, and Ms Donaldson says if Richmond becomes part of that family, it will mean staff and pupils share in the best practice for teaching, learning, curriculum and support.

She says in many ways children won’t notice any changes, as the same teachers will be in the same classrooms, but over time they will see differences in the way they learn and progress they make.

If the change goes ahead, staff will be employed by Lilac Sky instead of KCC but their conditions, such as salary and pensions, will be protected through the transfer and LSS will continue to work closely with the local authority.

Whether or not the change to an academy goes ahead, a new principal is to be recruited for early 2014 and Ms Donaldson will become executive principal.

Ms Donaldson said: “It is really important we mark the fresh start that becoming an academy is for the pupils, staff, parents and community.

“We invited all parents to a consultation meeting earlier this month, to which around 20 turned up.

“They clearly care about the school and asked some really good questions.

“Without jumping ahead of ourselves they seemed positive about the plans and we have also had a high number of questionnaires back from parents, carers, pupils and staff, of which more than 75% are in favour.”