Thirteen schools from across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin have registered an “interest” in becoming academies, it emerged today.

They are included on a list of more than 900 schools published by the Department for Education who have shown an interest in gaining academy status which the Government believes will help drive up classroom standards. There are eight schools in the county which are classed by Ofsted as “outstanding”.

This includes The Priory at Shrewsbury and Thomas Adams at Wem which could be fast-tracked to gaining academy status.

Priory head Candy Garbett recently told the Shropshire Star that becoming an academy would be a “huge step” for any school to take.

Five schools which are not classed as outstanding have still registered an interest, and include the county’s biggest comprehensive, the Marches School and Technology College at Oswestry.

There are already two academies in Telford & Wrekin – Madeley and Abraham Darby.

Academies are all-ability schools which are funded directly by the Department for Education.

In Shropshire this has prompted some concern that as more schools become academies the education budget of Shropshire Council – already one of the worst funded education authorities in England – could be badly hit.

Lord Hill, parliamentary under-secretary of state for schools, said:”I am delighted that so many schools have expressed an interest, and that over 900 outstanding schools are interested in becoming academies.

“Every school expressing an interest will have a named contact in the department who can answer their questions and guide them through the process.

“At the same time, we expect schools to keep their governors, staff and parents updated on progress. We want schools to decide what’s best for them, not politicians or bureaucrats.”

Academies are established and managed by sponsors from a wide range of backgrounds, including other high performing schools and colleges, universities, individual philanthropists, businesses, the voluntary sector and the faith communities.

The decision on whether to apply for academy status rests with a school’s governing body.

All academies are bound by the same School Admissions Code, SEN Code of Practice and exclusions guidance as all other state-funded schools.