FOUR Oxfordshire primary schools could be turned into academies over the coming year under new Department for Education plans to drive up standards.

Education Secretary Michael Gove yesterday said 200 schools which had fallen below the Government’s minimum standards for five years in a row would be taken out of local authority control.

In Oxfordshire, less than 60 per cent of 11-year-olds have achieved Level Four in both English and Maths – the Government’s standard – at Berinsfield, East Oxford and Windale Primary Schools every year since 2006. Hardwick Primary in Banbury could also be turned into an academy.

Although it boycotted last year’s SATs tests, less than 60 per cent of pupils reached Level Four in both subjects in previous years.

None of the four school’s headteachers were available for comment yesterday.

A further seven Oxfordshire schools have fallen below the ‘floor’ level for at least three of the past five years.

The Department for Education told the Oxford Mail that schools would be examined on a case-by-case basis and may not be turned into academies if there were signs of improvement.

Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for school improvement, Melinda Tilley, said: “Generally I support academies, but the announcement does not really tell us much. It has not said what they are going to do about federations, where failing schools have linked up with others to drive improvement.

“I need to see far more detail to see where it fits in.”

Minimum expected standards for secondary schools will also rise.