FOUR Southampton schools have launched a bid to break away from council control in a move they claim will drive up standards.

Chamberlayne College for the Arts is spearheading the move with its feeder schools Weston Park Junior School, Weston Park Infant School and Weston Shore Infant School.

Staff hope the change in status will give them more independence and mean children leave better qualified.

But a union has warned that the moved was being rushed, standards would not necessarily improve and governors would become less democratically accountable.

If given trust status the schools would manage their own land and buildings, employ their own staff and set their own admission arrangements.


Daily Echo: More in today's Daily Echo