SCHOOLS across Redbridge are set to decide whether or not to become independent academies under a new government scheme.

The borough is one of the UK's most successful local education authorities (LEA) with Ofsted rating more than half a dozen of its secondaries and many more of its primaries as 'outstanding.'

But it is these top performing schools which now have the option of breaking their ties with Redbridge LEA immediately as part of a new plan to give them more freedom over planning and organisation.

The borough's other schools will also eventually have the chance to become independent under the scheme - which the Government has offered to all state primaries and secondaries across the UK.

Dr Paul Doherty, long-serving headmaster of Trinity Catholic High School - one of Redbridge's most successful comprehensives which has been repeatedly rated as outstanding by Ofsted - said he was 'extremely cautious' about the plan.

He said: "I am yet to discuss this idea with the school's governors and the diocese, but in my personal view I would be reluctant to go down that path because I think Redbridge LEA is one of the finest in the country.

"We should think very carefully and very prudently before we do something like this.

"I would urge fellow headteachers to think carefully before breaking away from Redbridge LEA. I'm a bit worried about the mad rush to the gate.

"In some areas where LEAs are found wanting the situation may be different, but Redbridge is one of the best, which can be seen by the quality of its schools.

"Its primary schools are also among the top cohort in the UK.

"Parents in other parts of London are keen to send their children to school here."

These views were shared by Liz Barrett, headteacher of Nightingale Primary School, which was also rated as 'outstanding' in its latest Ofsted inspection.

She said: "I also haven't yet discussed this with our governors but I would be very cautious about any plan to break away from the LEA.

"The school is doing very well so I personally can't see a reason to make a change."

Mum-of-four Helen Duffett, of St Barnabas Road, Woodford Green, has two children at Woodbridge High School - which was rated as 'good' by Ofsted in its most recent report.

She said: "Woodbridge is a great school already in my view, but it will be interesting to wait and see how this idea works at other schools first.

"We would have to see how teachers at the school felt about it before any changes were made."

Samantha Stovin-Clark, who has a child at both Churchfields Infants and Junior Schools in South Woodford said: "I'm not completely against the idea.

"The school is doing really well as it is, so there's no real need for change, but if this means the school's teachers are given more control then it could be a good thing.

"We'll have to see how it works at other schools."

The Government's Academies Bill is set to go before Parliament later this year.