A SECONDARY school is to put its case for further autonomy, loosening ties from its local education authority.

Houghton Kepier School, in Houghton-le-Spring, has foundation school status, leaving decision-making to its governors, with funding still provided by Sunderland City Council.

But it is now poised to submit a bid for trust status, to give it semi-independence, run with a partner organisation.

The Dairy Lane school, serving Houghton and surrounding towns and villages, now teaches 11 to 16-year-olds, but part of the plan would see it add a sixth form.

Headteacher Sue Hyland said as a trust school it would still be local authority maintained, but with all decision-making taken by the trust.

She said "strong leadership" under a joint trust would help to give the school "a clear sense of purpose and direction, making sure that resources and effort are focused on increasing opportunity and raising standards."

It is hoped that strong links could be developed with a local university to help provide pupils with a path to higher education.

The Government intends to have as many as 300 schools heading for trust status by the end of the year, with those earmarked as "early adopters" eligible for £10,000 awards to help further their plans.

Mrs Hyland said: "We have a vision and we will be putting a submission at the end of next month for a second review of the early adopter trust status.

"It's an expression of interest and there will be formal consultation with staff, parents and the community.

"But, really, we see it as a formalising of links with various partners with a view to becoming an 11 to 19 centre for learning."