YORK could be set to get its first primary school academy.

Robert Wilkinson Primary in Strensall and Haxby Road Primary School are both considering changing their status and opting out of council control.

Both, however, are keen to stress that things are at a very early stage.

To date, the city has two church secondary school academies, Archbishop Holgate’s CE and Manor CE, having both obtained permission in 2011 to become independent of local authority and Government control, However, so far no primaries have taken that step.

Should Haxby Road and Robert Wilkinson follow suit, other freedoms they would enjoy include setting their own pay and conditions for staff, having more say over how the curriculum is taught and the ability to change the length of their terms and school days.

Robert Wilkinson head Richard Ludlow said: “We are at the very early stage of assessing and understanding what academy status might mean for our school.

“Information is being provided to parents and governors to allow them to debate the opportunities that a change of status might bring.

“But our overwhelming priority is to continue to deliver outstanding performance in the school and strong collaboration with others in the city.”

As The Press reported earlier this month, Haxby Road Primary School was put in to special measures by Ofsted.

Interim head teacher Jane Golightly said the school was working hard to improve.

She said: “The governing body is working to secure the successful future of the school and have unanimously voted for Haxby Road Primary School to seek conversion to an academy.”

Kevin Hall, interim director of adults, children and education, said: “We are aware of the early discussions taking place within Haxby Road and Robert Wilkinson primary schools. We are working with Haxby Road school to support them with their improvement programme and continue to work with Robert Wilkinson and all schools in the city to share best practice.”