THE head of Tunbridge Wells's only academy has said other schools would benefit from following its lead.

The Government has written to every school in England inviting them to opt for academy status and break away from local authority control.

Sian Carr, who is principal of Skinners' Kent Academy, formerly Tunbridge Wells High School, said the changes went much deeper than a new name and smart uniform.

Ms Carr said in the nine months since the Blackhurst Road school reopened as an academy there had been a "transformation".

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