THE only non-academy secondary school in Oxford has ditched its bid to convert.

After consulting with parents, staff, pupils and the wider community, the governors of Matthew Arnold School, in Arnold’s Way, Cumnor Hill, have decided against a change. A statement on its website reads: “The governing body does not believe it will improve the education of our students. We shall review the position annually or sooner if... the governing body considers it important to do so.”

It is now the only Oxford secondary school still in local authority control, with The Cherwell, Cheney and St Gregory the Great all being converter academies and Oxford Spires Academy and Oxford Academy becoming sponsored academies.

Former headboy Jordan Hearne, 19, from Rose Hill, campaigned against conversion and said he was “really pleased”. He had “severe concerns” about the accountability of academy schools to the Government rather than local authorities. He said: “I didn’t meet one parent who thought it a good idea.”