Kensal Rise Primary School in Harvist Road, has struggled for the last few years

A primary school in Kensal Rise will be switching to academy status following a series of meetings between governors.

Kensal Rise Primary School (KRP) will switch and join the ARK chain of academies.

The school, in Harvist Road, has struggled in recent years and was given a rating of inadequate following an Ofsted inspection at the end of last year.

Last year the school’s head teacher was suspended amid claims of financial irregularities.

Currently, under rules outlined by the Department for Education (DfE), any school that is deemed to be ‘failing’ is forced to convert to academy status.

Academies break away from local authority control and are instead funded by central government and given their own sponsors.

Gladstone Park Primary School in Dollis Hill, is currently battling against a forced conversion, however it is thought KRPR has opted to choose the ARK sponsor themselves.

Chris Spencer, chair of governors at KRP, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for our children and means that the quality of the education they receive should improve rapidly over the coming months.

“Kensal Rise has been through many changes over the years and we are confident that working with a committed sponsor is the right course for our pupils and for the school. We look forward positively to a bright future.”

The ARK chain is educational charity and academy operator and works with new start-up schools and transition schools.

It previously opened the ARK Academy, an “all through” school catering for primary and secondary school pupils, in Bridge Road, Wembley in two stages between 2008 and 2010.

Sophy Blakeway, ARK Schools director of education, said: “It’s clear that parents, school leaders and staff want the best for their pupils and we’re very confident that we can work together to make Kensal Rise a exceptional school.”

Subject to consultation and the approval of the Secretary of State’s the hope is that Kensal Rise can open as an ARK primary academy in September 2013.