A PARENTS' campaign group at Whitecross School in Lydney wants a temporary halt to the process of the school converting to an "academy".

They say they are not necessarily against the move but they have not had enough information to be able to make a judgement and want more time to consider what is happening.

The school is looking to convert to an academy from September with "sponsorship" from an education services company called Prospects.

A public meeting was by held PAPA (Parents Against Prospects Academy) at Lydney Cricket Club on Monday evening to discuss the next move.

The group has already collected more than 500 signatures on a petition that will be sent to Prospects, education secretary Michael Gove, headteacher David Gaston, governors and Forest MP Mark Harper.

They say they are unclear about exactly what powers the new sponsors will have and concerns were expressed.

Mrs Jo Howard, who chaired the meeting on Monday, said: "We want to support the school and make it the best school it can be.

"We need to be 100 per cent behind it but how can we be 100 per cent behind it if we do not know what is going on.

"We are not against academies we just want to know exactly what it will mean for the school."

It was claimed that few people knew about the consultation currently underway and which is due to close on July 30.

There was also dismay that approval for the conversion has already been given despite the consultation still being open and over its timing at the start of the summer holiday.

Parent Tina Boulton said: "What's the point of having a consultation if the decision has already been taken?"

Among those at the meeting were former Whitecross pupils Olivia Hind and Georgia Parker who said the school did not need the change.

Ms Hind said: "We had a good education at Whitecross with good teachers and I don't think it needs to be changed."

Mr John Penberthy, of the National Union of Teachers, said parents should lobby governors to delay the final agreement.

Prospects says it wants a close partnership with parents and it intends to work with them well beyond the statutory consultation which closes at the end of the month and there will be more opportunities to meet with Prospects' representatives.

They say the academy management team will have a strong track record in managing and improving schools.

The trust is also committed to retaining the whole site for education and leisure with the pool, fitness centre, tennis courts and all-weather pitch leased to the Forest Council for at least 25 years.

Campaigners have urged local people to complete the online consultation at http://www.whitecrossschoolcon">www.whitecrossschoolcon sultation.org. The group has a Facebook page – search 'anti Whitecross academy.'