A COMPREHENSIVE school in Yate will be in a position to compete for students if it is turned into an academy, those behind the proposal have pledged.

King Edmund Community School faced closure three years ago under a review of surplus places in Yate and Chipping Sodbury.

But staff at the school want to see it transformed into an academy, linked with The Ridings High School in Winterbourne, by September 2009 and expand by 50 per cent.

"King Edmunds will grow," said Dr Rob Gibson, headteacher at The Ridings.

"The school roll is low but the popularity of King Edmunds will grow and as we see more people come to the school, the range of opportunities will increase.

"There will be a greater degree of pride across the school and people will want to send their children here more than they do already."

He said the best teachers in the country would be attracted to both King Edmunds and The Ridings.

He was speaking at a public meeting into the plans last week.

Parents did not raise objections after clarifying that the schools would not be merged and their non-selective admissions policies would remain in force.

John French, who has three children at King Edmunds aged 14, 12, and 11, said he was in favour of the academy plan.

"I think it will become the norm for many schools and the government will invest if it works."

The number of students at The Ridings would not rise but it is hoped the school roll at King Edmunds, currently just under 600 pupils, would increase to 750 in Years 7 to 11 and 150 in the sixth form within five years of opening.

New uniforms would be introduced at both King Edmunds and The Ridings and parents will receive £60 for existing pupils to help buy clothing.

King Edmunds would be rebuilt within three years of becoming an academy although the amount of Government funding for the project has not yet been made public.

King Edmunds headteacher Roger Gilbert said: "This is the best model that we could possibly have for young people.

"We hope that those who come to the King Edmund academy see a difference immediately both in the ethos and resources."

Following the meeting, he said: "The level of support from parents was as strong as I would have expected it to be. It was a really good positive meeting."

A further public meeting takes place at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on Monday, December 1 (7.30-9.30pm) before consultation closes on February 9.