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The Department for Education said the schools had accepted the Government’s offer to become an academy since the Academies Act became law.
It was previously reported the schools had expressed an interest in becoming an academy, though the final decision rested with the Government.
The Solihull and Knowle schools have had Academy Orders signed ‘which means they are on track to convert to academies over the coming months’.
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.
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’.
But education secretary Michael Gove said: “This Government believes that teachers and head teachers, not politicians and bureaucrats, should control schools and have more power over how they are run.
“That’s why we are spreading academy freedoms. This will give heads more power to tackle disruptive children, to protect and reward teachers better, and to give children the specialist teaching they need.”
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