THREE Bexley secondary schools - Beths Grammar School, Bexley Grammar School and Erith School - have decided to apply for independent academy status under the coalition government’s new fast-track arrangements for schools deemed “outstanding” by Ofsted.

A fourth outstanding school, Bursted Wood Primary School, has also expressed an interest.

In addition seven other schools have also indicated they are interested in opting out of Bexley Council control and becoming academies.

They are Bexleyheath School, Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, Hurstmere Foundation School for Boys, St Catherine’s Catholic School for Girls, Welling School and Peareswood and Northumberland Heath primary schools.