A GROUP of schools in North Somerset could opt out of local council control and be run by their governors. It is understood Worle and Churchill community schools and Westhaven, a special school in Uphill, are all looking at the possibility of becoming fou

A GROUP of schools in North Somerset could opt out of local council control and be run by their governors.It is understood Worle and Churchill community schools and Westhaven, a special school in Uphill, are all looking at the possibility of becoming foundation schools.The changes would mean that although the schools would still have to attain the educational and curricular criteria laid down by local education authority, they would retain overall responsibility for standards.Foundation schools are also able to construct their own buildings and hire their own staff, rather than it being the responsibility of North Somerset Council.The schools could apply for charitable status and manage their own admissions policy and look at ways of improving the curriculum and enhancing their facilities for the community.Consultation with parents, staff and students would take place before the changes are implemented. Gordano School in Portishead is also considering the change and hopes to have the new status in place by September.