A SCHOOL that was seized from a council's control after standards slipped is set to join one of Oxfordshire's largest academy trusts.

River Learning Trust is taking Larkrise Primary School under its wing, after the 445-pupil school in East Oxford was rated 'inadequate' by Ofsted and forced to convert to an academy.

The trust (RLT) runs 16 schools across the county including The Cherwell School, and is also developing Oxford's new Swan School.

Paul James, chief executive of the trust, said: "Whilst Larkrise is having to convert to academy status I am delighted that after considering a number of options, the leaders and governors at the school felt that RLT was the right home for them.

"We have a number of other primary schools in the city which are part of the trust and we are already starting the process of working with the school to start their improvement journey."

In June Larkrise was handed Ofsted's worst rating, in a report that criticised 'volatile and unruly' behaviour of some pupils and a 'culture of low expectations'.

An inspector said Oxfordshire County Council, which runs the school, had 'not acted with sufficient haste to stem the decline'.

The school had previously been rated 'good' and both staff and the council felt the report was undeserved, noting the inspection had clashed with SATs exams and a transition period between heads.

All council-run schools rated 'inadequate' are forced to become academies - schools 'sponsored' and run by a multi-academy trust.

The government insists this drives up standards, as it results in collaboration with successful schools, and boosts accountability.

Mr James said: "When there is a possibility that a school may join RLT we always have to put the interests of children and staff at the forefront of the decision.

"In the case of a sponsored school, we always have to check that we have the capacity to support the school given its needs, and that it is close enough to other schools in our trust to form links to allow strong collaboration."

In a newsletter published last week, Larkrise's new head Fi McGregor told parents: "We are already working with the trust to begin the process of academisation and already the benefits of working with RLT staff and with other RLT schools are clear to see.

"We look forward to a year of exciting learning and working together with you to provide the best opportunities to ensure all our pupils reach their potential."

Ms McGregor also thanked parents for their help in helping to give the school a makeover.

She wrote in the newsletter: "We worked very hard during the holidays to declutter the school, move classrooms and to tidy and re-think the use of space and storage.

"We made good progress with the refurbishment of the very worst toilet block and redecorated two classrooms and the entrance hall.

"New display boards have been put up and we have had lots of maintenance and repairs done.

"I would like to thank all staff who gave time and energy in their holidays to tidying and cleaning."

She offered special thanks to certain staff members and parents, adding: "I have been very heartened by the community spirit and many offers of help from the parent body."

Parents were given the chance to quiz Mr James in person at a presentation evening earlier this month, to raise any concerns and questions about the academisation process.

The vast majority of Oxford secondary schools are now academies, with less than a handful of exceptions, and more primaries are converting.

According to Oxfordshire County Council figures released in July, 62 per cent of pupils in the county’s state schools were in academies.