SCHOOL head teachers are reluctantly exploring the possibility of becoming academies.

Members of the Bury Association of Secondary Heads group have revealed that they are working together to research the idea, and its implications, in the event the Government makes academies compulsory.

Mick Fitzgerald, head teacher at Parrenthorn High School in Whitefield, said: “The Government agenda is the direction schools will be travelling in. We are keeping abreast of developments.

“I don’t think there’s any great move towards becoming academies at the moment. We’re just working together to benefit the children in the borough.

“If ultimately all of the schools are forced to become academies then we are well prepared because we’ve done our research.”

He added: “We need to be clear: I do not think there’s a chance of any of the schools becoming academies at any point in the near future.

“Bury has good local high schools and there is definitely no great push to become academies.”

In March, Chancellor George Osborne outlined his controversial plans for all schools to become academies.

However, after facing stiff opposition, the Government abandoned the idea.

Cllr Sharon Briggs, cabinet member for children and families, said: “Bury Council has always been opposed to schools being forced to become academies.

“However, for voluntary conversion, this is a decision for individual school governing bodies to take.

“Bury has long enjoyed an enviable reputation for the quality of its education system, and only four out of our 80 schools – all primaries - have so far become academies, three of those against their will.

“The Government has made it clear that it wants all schools to become academies. I will be taking a report to cabinet in September setting out how the council can continue to work with Bury’s ‘family’ of schools in whatever decisions they take, and will be working with them closely to help them understand their options.”