SCHOOLS across the borough could have the chance to be academies by September - without any input from local communities or the county council.Under plans announced in the Queen's Speech on Tuesday, any school rated outstanding by Ofsted will be allowed to apply direct to the education secretary to take on academy status.

SCHOOLS across the borough could have the chance to be academies by September - without any input from local communities or the county council.

Under plans announced in the Queen's Speech on Tuesday, any school rated outstanding by Ofsted will be allowed to apply direct to the education secretary to take on academy status.

For the first time, the door has been opened to primary schools as well as secondaries.

There are currently 24 outstanding primary schools and four outstanding secondary schools in the county, along with one nursery, one pupil referral unit and five special schools.

It is not yet known whether any of the primaries would be prepared to put themselves forward for the fast track route. They are: Martham Primary, Caister Infant, Lingwood First, Stradbroke Primary, Gorleston, Alderman Swindell Infant, Great Yarmouth

By September, subject to final consent an academy will replace Oriel High at Gorleston.

There are around 200 academies already open, and the previous Labour government had planned to double this to 400. Primary schools were not included in the plans.