Ofsted called in to academy dispute

The Education Secretary Michael Gove has asked Ofsted to inspect a primary school which is resisting academy status.

Governors at Downhills Primary School in Haringey, north London, have welcomed the chance for an independent inspection as they claim its attainment records are improving.

The school has struggled to retain the required standards of education over the past 10 years, according to the Department for Education. But lawyers representing Downhills' governing body have sent a statement of claim to the Department, saying Mr Gove is illegally trying to force academy status on the school. A DfE spokeswoman said: "We can't stand by and do nothing when schools are sub-standard year after year."