GOVERNORS at a Witney school have begun a public consultation about it becoming an academy.

The Batt Church of England Primary School, in Marlborough Lane, could become the third academy in the town.

Henry Box School changed its status in June 2012 and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School made the change in April last year.

The Batt could join the Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust (ODST), which currently includes five schools across Oxfordshire.

An academy is a publicly-funded and self-governed state school, which is accountable to the Government but can bid for outside funding.

In a statement, the school said: “The governors have been discussing this option for several months, as have other local schools, and the school considers the option to join the ODST Multi-Academy Trust the best one to enable the school to maintain its identity, distinctiveness, autonomy and drive to improve.”

A formal consultation will be held with parents, children, staff, other schools and businesses.

A public consultation meeting will be held on Monday in the school hall at 6pm, including an opportunity to ask questions about converting.

A number of other Church of England schools in the district are currently considering whether to seek academy status under the umbrella of the diocesan trust.