SEVEN schools looking into becoming academies are giving parents, students and teachers a say in the “biggest decision” in Harrow education in years.

Nower Hill, Hatch End, Canons High, Harrow High, Rooks Heath, Bentley Wood, and Park High are all proposing to break their links with Harrow Council and seek greater independence.

The status would allow more control over curriculum, pay, admissions criteria and would attract more funding, but critics say it would allow private money into education and result in less scrutiny and accountability.

Harrow Council is urging residents to take part in a four-week consultation which started yesterday and is being run by the schools.

The authority hopes the outcome will not result in the seven institutions cutting ties with it, but at the end of the process the decision will be made by each school's governing body.

Councillor Brian Gate, responsible for schools and colleges at the council, said: “This is the biggest decision schools will make in many years, with major implications for education in Harrow.

“The Council has successfully worked in partnership with schools to raise standards and increase achievement.

“They have flourished with all seven high schools rated either good or outstanding and the Council would prefer them to remain within the family of schools in Harrow.”

All schools will hold a public meeting on Monday, March 21, about the decision and information will be available on the websites of the individual schools and a special section of the council website.