PARENTS, children and teaching staff have celebrated victory after two schools withdrew from discussions about switching to academy status.

The Save Lewes School campaign was formed to try and prevent six schools in the town from becoming academies.

They are Lewes Priory, Southover CE Primary, Western Road Community Primary, South Malling CE Primary, Wallands Community Primary and Iford and Kingston Primary Schools.

But Western Road and Southover have withdrawn from the discussions.

Governors of Southover CE Primary made a unanimous decision to withdraw from the MAT (Multi-Academy Trust) Working Group.

Jonathan Sharpe, chairman of governors, said the school remains committed to working with other Lewes schools and praised the energy shown by parents over the last few months.

Meanwhile, campaigners celebrated outside Western Road Community Primary on Tuesday after it also voted to withdraw from discussions as well.

Holly Atkins, whose son attends the school, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Western Road School has withdrawn from the MAT proposal.

“I actually shed some tears of joy and relief when I read the email from our chairman of governors.”

Susan Kelly, whose daughter attends Southover CE Primary said: “Everyone at Save Lewes Schools is so pleased that Western Road governors have voted unanimously to withdraw from plans for a MAT.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the strength of feeling for the schools in this town. Parents are giving up so much of their time to support this cause.

“Save Lewes Schools will continue to do everything we can to help the remaining four schools find alternative options to forming a MAT.

“Tomorrow, representatives from our campaign will meet MP Maria Caulfield to see how she might be able to help.”

The National Education Union (NEU) is working with the four remaining schools.

Phil Clarke, NEU secretary for Lewes, Eastbourne and Wealden, said academies represent a threat to staff pay and conditions. He added: “We are very pleased by the governors’ decision and our members at Southover and Western Road schools are looking forward to continuing to work in successful, thriving schools within the local authority family. Our members very much hope governors in the other Lewes schools follow suit so staff can build joint working across the schools without the spectre of privatisation hanging over them.”