A SCHOOL is one of the first in the country to take up the government’s offer of becoming an academy.

Sidcup’s Kemnal Technology College converted to an academy this week - one of only 32 to do so since Education Secretary Michael Gove invited schools to convert in May.

Its new status means it no longer under local authority control and can set its own curriculum, term dates and staff conditions - something which has alarmed teaching unions.

But head teacher Christian Markham insisted the changes would not be too radical and only the curriculum would change.

He said: “It’s very early days and this year’s curriculum is already in place.

“We’ll redesign it from October onwards. It will have a more hands on feel for certain students and offer more Btecs.”

Mr Markham said there would also be a firmer focus on literacy and numeracy.

But he denied the all-boys school would change term dates or teachers’ contracts.

And he added: “There are financial implications as well. This will act as a buffer against cuts from central government.”

Kemnal, which saw 80 per cent of students achieve at least five A* to C GCSE grades this year, will now be run by the Kemnal Academies Trust.

The National Union of Teachers claims academies represent privatisation of education and could lead to selection of students, something Mr Markham denied.

Deputy secretary of the Bexley branch Jill Saunder said she had concerns about plans for Beths Grammar and Erith School to also convert in the near future.