Parents campaigning to prevent their children’s primary school becoming an academy are to take their fight to Downing Street.

Snaresbrook Primary School in Meadow walk was placed under special measures in June, prompting the Department of Education to recommend governors consider opting for a change of status to improve standards.

But parents, supported by local politicians and councillors, insist a new management team has made significant improvements and fear academy status would remove accountability.

A petition signed by 2,000 people is set to be delivered to Downing Street on Tuesday, with campaigners joining a rally outside the Department of Education on November 1.

Woodford Green MP Iain Duncan Smith has written to the parliamentary under-secretary of state for education, outlining his constituent’s concerns.

But he has been criticised for refusing to meet with campaigners, claiming he is bound by the cabinet’s collective responsibility on government policy, which is to encourage struggling schools to opt for academy status.

 Campaigner Paul Daintry, said: “Snaresbrook parents want to meet Iain Duncan Smith as their constituency MP rather than as a member of the cabinet.

“Parents are left with nowhere to turn, disenfranchised by their MP’s refusal to hear their concerns or to offer any practical support or advice.”

The campaigners are supported by Wanstead MP John Cryer and Redbridge Council.

The Department of Education insist the final decision on academy status will be made by school governors.

The Guardian is awaiting comment from Iain Duncan Smith.