SCHOOLS should free themselves “from the dead hand” of Harrow Council by becoming academies, an MP says.

Seven Harrow secondary schools are pursuing the status, which would give them greater independence from the local authority, more money and greater control over curriculum and admissions criteria.

Critics say academies bring private money into state education, are less accountable and have fewer controls over pay and conditions for staff.

Bob Blackman (Conservative/Harrow East) said: “I think the schools have to consider the future carefully.

“I'm one of those that think schools that are doing extremely well and are good schools should opt out of local authority control and get the freedom their excellence deserves – freed from the dead hand of the local authority.

“I would also urge these schools that do choose to go down that route to co-operate to ensure that the standard of education improves across the whole borough.

“Quite clearly this is the way forward.”

The schools seeking academy status are: Nower Hill, Hatch End, Canons High, Harrow High, Rooks Heath, Bentley Wood, and Park High.