TWO governors of Belthorn Primary School have resigned following the announcement it is to become grant-maintained.

Councillors Sheelagh Delaney and Bill Goldsmith say they are "saddened and disappointed" by the results of a ballot - in which 61 per cent of the parents who voted were in favour of self-rule from April 1.

Speaking on behalf of himself and Coun Delaney, Coun. Goldsmith said: "I am very disappointed at the ballot result.

"I think the school is superb as it is and I am a staunch supporter of the present education system.

"The school has nothing to gain from being grant-maintained."

He added that himself and Coun Delaney had been involved with Belthorn Primary for 10 years but said that they feared for the future of the school.

"This is sad and wrong. We can't understand why some staff and governors backed this bid for grant-maintained status."

But Farad Azimy, Belthorn's chairman of governors, said: "I welcome the statement of the Secretary of State on the school's achievement of this status.

"This will provide us with more flexibility in developing the education of children at the school.

"We will also have the opportunity to further build on parental involvement in the school."

He added: "Hopefully, one of the first benefits will be an increase in staffing and a consequent reduction of class sizes."

Schools' Minister Cheryl Gillan said: "The parents who vote for a school to become grant-maintained recognise and want their children to have the advantages which come with self government."

She added: "Grant-maintained schools achieve good results and are popular with parents.

"I hope that with the freedom this status brings, Belthorn Primary will flourish as so many others have done."

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