A CRADLEY primary school’s controversial bid to become an academy has been stopped in its tracks after governors voted against the plan.

Colley Lane Primary will remain in local authority control after governors gave proposals the thumbs down at a meeting last night (Monday).

Protestors picketed the meeting as feelings ran high in the community.

There were also concerns that the smallprint in a PFI deal which led to the rebuilding of the school would make the academy plan unworkable.

Cradley councillors Gaye Partridge, Tim Crumpton and Richard Body held several public meetings and campaigned against the move.

Cllr Partridge said in a ballot of parents 177 voted against with only nine in favour of the school becoming an academy.

She said: “We feel relieved and vindicated.

“It’s a really, really good decision. No-one was convinced it would be of any benefit.

“Concerns were voiced by local people who didn’t understand the proposals and what implications they could expect and those issues were never answered. We just ended up with more questions waiting to be answered.”

Cllr Crumpton said: “We are immensely grateful to the parents, teachers and governors who put their voices forward - they have been listened to.”

Crtics of acamdey schools say parents are left with no way of holding the school to account and that schools are able to control their own admissions, time of school day and holidays with no requirement to consult anyone.

A spokeswoman for Colley Lane Primary confirmed governors voted against the plan at last night’s meeting.