PARENTS at a school rated "inadequate", said they have been left feeling uncertain after being told the school will convert to academy status in September.

Parents at West Kidlington Primary School received a letter from the school last week saying it would be taken over by the White Horse Federation, and a new principal will start in September.

Current head Eugene Symonds leave his post at the end of the school year.

The announcement comes after the school was rated "inadequate" and told to make urgent improvements by Ofsted in December.

Sarah Goodwin, who has two daughters at the school – Lois May, seven, and Elizabeth, three, said parents were feeling "unsettled" about the change.

She said: "We are quite unsettled about the school becoming an academy as we are unsure of what lies ahead.

"We are hoping there won't be too many changes and are trying to think positively about the new head starting, and hope the change-over will be smooth for the sake of the children and staff.

"We are very sad that Mr Symonds is leaving, as when he first looked around the school he was friendly, welcoming and professional and we liked him immediately."

If a school is converted into an academy, it will still be state-funded but run by a headteacher overseen by a charitable trust rather than a local authority.

The White Horse Federation has also agreed to take on Southwold Primary School and the new Gagle Brook Primary School in Bicester.

David Hewett, whose six-year-old son goes to the school, said: "I feel there is a lot of uncertainty about what will happen at the school.

"There is concern that the school will be managed from afar so will have little link to the community, or be accountable to parents."

The Ofsted report, published in February, claimed too many children were regularly absent and that staff did not investigate whether those missing were safe.

It also said teachers did not check on the progress of children well enough, which meant disadvantaged pupils were likely to underachieve.

In a letter to parents, Mr Symonds said: "This place, the people who have worked and learned within it over the years, will always have a special place in my heart.

"Although I am very sad to be leaving, in truth, I know it is the right thing for the school for me to go."

Chair of governors Mari Williams said the decision to convert to academy status had been taken by the Government, and all current staff will be invited to stay on.

Taking on the day-to-day running of the school will be Simon Isherwood, who will become the new principal after moving after Bladon Primary School in Bladon.

The federation will hold meetings on Mondays for parents to hear more about the changes.

These will be held at 3.30pm, 5pm and 7pm at the school.