10 December 2011 Last updated at 10:03 ET

Conversion of Crawley schools to academies welcomed

The news that two schools in West Sussex could be granted academy status has been welcomed by Crawley's MP.

Henry Smith said Thomas Bennett Community College and Bewbush Primary School were on track for conversion by Easter.

"There are many benefits of achieving academy status which will help to improve these two schools even further," he said.

He said student performance increased at twice the rate of state schools.

Academy status means the schools will be directly funded by the Department for Education, and being sponsored by an Ofsted outstanding school will offer access to a wider curriculum and shared resources and expertise.

Mr Smith added: "The benefits would be particular welcome to these two schools progressing to academy status to highlight how far they have come in terms of improving the education they offer the young people of their area."