HUNDREDS of people have signed up in opposition to plans that would change a primary school into an academy.

A petition against the proposals for Tidemill School in Frankham Street, Deptford, has so far attracted more than 400 signatures.

Academy schools are outside of local authority control and can set their own curriculum, staff pay and term dates.

Parents were given letters before the summer holidays as part of a school consultation exercise.

Leila Galloway, 46, whose two daughters go to the school has set up the petition.

She said: “I started the campaign because I feel very strongly that this will divide people.

“There’s a danger the decision is rushed through without people considering the implications.”

She and others have organised a public meeting at the Deptford Albany on September 6 from 7pm.

A consultation meeting will be held on September 8 before any decision is made.

To view the online petition visit sayingno.org/cms/