The consultation on the move – which the school says would give it more independence – has been extended to Friday.
It had hoped to apply for the Department for Education to become an academy on September 1.
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The move would free it from local authority control. Poor performing schools were awarded the status under Labour but this has changed to the best performing schools with the coalition Government.
It will let it set its admissions rules, what is taught, pay and conditions and school hours.
The school has indicated it will change its admissions code to ‘decide which pupils should be offered places’ if it becomes an academy.
Views can be made to Mrs S McRobinson, Clerk to Governors, Arden School, Station Road, Knowle, Solihull, B93 0PT or academyproposal@arden.solihull.sch.uk.
The plan has proved controversial. In July Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council – under Labour and Liberal Democrat control since May 6 – passed a motion opposing the new policy. Tories opposed the motion.
This said: “Solihull Council is concerned about the recent proposals for academies and free schools and the effects these will have on the excellent provision that currently exists in the Borough.”
It says it should ‘express its deep concerns and to request that serious and careful consideration be given to the impact the proposals will have for every child in the borough’.
The Silhillian has asked the school for an interview with the chairman of governors but has not received a response.
It comes as GCSE results rose to a record high at the Station Road school.
Some 92 per cent got at least five GCSEs grades A* to C including English and maths, up eight per cent on the previous year.
Headteacher Anne Green said: “We are delighted for our pupils; grateful to their teachers and proud of the amazing results.
“Arden has always prided itself on its high performance but this is truly a gold standard for a comprehensive school.”
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