Fallibroome High School has been given the go-ahead to become one of the UK’s first academies.

The Priory Lane school was the first in Macclesfield to officially bid for academy status – which would bring greater freedom from Cheshire East Council– and is one of only 153 schools nationally to be given the nod.

The news comes as Fallibroome High students have once again achieved best-ever exam results in GCSEs and A Levels.

Headteacher Peter Rubery said: "To be approved as one of the first new academies in the country is a tremendous reflection of the hard work and commitment of a remarkable community of students, teachers and parents."

The Coalition Government’s Academies Bill was made law in July and schools rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted – such as Fallibroome – were given a fast track application so they may become academies as early as next month.

An ‘Academy Order’ has been signed for the school which is now awaiting approval from Education Secretary Michael Gove.

The school must have carried out a period of consultation and have the backing of the governors before any application to convert to academy status can be made.

Mr Rubery added: "Fallibroome has a national reputation for excellence and innovation. The move to become an Academy is a natural step as we have previously enjoyed Grant Maintained and Foundation School status.

"This is a fantastic school and we have achieved record results at GCSE and A Level this year and expect to build on this success."

Poynton High School, All Hallows Catholic College, Lower Park Primary School, Mottram St Andrew Primary School and Prestbury Church of England Primary School have also expressed an interest in becoming publicly funded academies.

Tony Billings, headteacher of All Hallows Catholic College, said no application has been made but they would ‘strongly consider’ it if they get the go ahead from the Catholic Education Service. He said: "We're waiting on some national information from the Catholic Education Service.

"If the safeguards and reassurances are in places we would be strongly considering it."

A spokeswoman for Poynton High School also confirmed that a decision has not yet been made.

Councillor Hilda Gaddum, cabinet member with responsibility for children and family services, said the council would help provide a smooth transition to academies for schools pursuing application.

Academy status would mean:

  • Freedom from local authority control
  • Ability to set your own pay and conditions for staff
  • Freedom from following the national curriculum
  • Ability to change the length of terms and schools days
  • Greater control over school budgets
  • Freedom to spend the money the local authority usually spends on their behalf.