Four more Bradford secondary schools have submitted applications to the Government to become academies in the past month.

Beckfoot School, Bingley, and Grange Technology College, Heaton Primary School and Southfield School, all in Bradford, were on a list of 240 applications received by the Department for Education.

Academies are free from local and national government control and ministers say they are able to focus their time and resources on meeting the needs of their pupils and school, rather than answering to politicians and bureaucrats.

The Government insists extra freedoms given to the academies will drive up standards – but critics fear that poorer areas will be left behind, widening educational divides.

The ministry also revealed Ilkley Grammar School’s bid for academy status has been approved.

Beckfoot School and Grange Technology College have benefited from the previous Government’s scheme to rebuild or refurbish every secondary school under a PFI scheme called Building Schools for the Future (BSF).

It is believed the remaining outstanding PFI debt would be the responsibility of the Government and schools – not the Council which currently repays the monies owed.

Councillor Ralph Berry, Bradford Council executive member for children and young people’s services, said: “The BSF issue is a fairly major issue that is being worked on. It is a problem everywhere.

“I am aware of these applications and none of them want to cease to work collaboratively. None have reached the level of no return they have just expressed interest and put in a bid.

“None of this will have a detrimental effect on our other schools.”

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