A SCHOOL has completed its conversion into an academy after months of protest.

Peacehaven Community School is now entirely run by Swale Academy Trust, prompting criticism from a union chief.

Phil Clarke, boss the Lewes, Eastbourne, and Wealden National Education Union branch, said it was “shameful” East Sussex County Council had “forced through” the move.

“The council has absolutely shown they have no interest in what the community wants,” he said.

“Parents were extremely concerned. So many of them signed postcards and supported the strikes.

“The council clearly didn’t care.”

Tensions have been high at the school since April, when staff voted to go on strike against plans to hand over the school to Swale.

The academy trust had partly run the school since 2015 as part of the school’s unelected governing body, the interim executive board.

Staff went on strike in April, June, and July in a bid to stop the takeover.

But after a last-ditch legal bid to prevent the conversion failed in August, East Sussex County Council confirmed the takeover was complete on Sunday.

This means Swale run the school completely, giving them full power over what students learn and which staff are hired.

Union chief Mr Clarke said he had seen “no recognition” from the council that staff were concerned about the academy plans.

“Our union has grown significantly during the process. So many staff took part in the strikes,” he said.

“People don’t do that unless they’re extremely concerned about the situation.

“We will look at everything in our power legally to see what we can do.”

Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle also criticised the takeover.

The Labour MP said: “The conversion is totally unacceptable. Teachers and parents are against it.

“It was forced through by a Conservative council that wants to offload our schools and does not care about our children’s education.

“The council is no longer fit for purpose.”

Tensions arose over a consultation in 2017, which the county council said confirmed parents’ support for the move.

But campaigners said the council should have asked parents again before finalising the plans.

A spokesman for the county council said converting the school was the “right course of action”.

“Swale Academies Trust has provided senior leadership at Peacehaven Community School since November 2015,” he said.

“It has been instrumental in enabling the school to make good progress.”

“A full consultation was completed in 2017, during which the school reported to the council there was support from parents for the continued involvement of the trust.

“It remains the view of the local authority and the IEB this is the right course of action to secure strong leadership and continued improvements at the school.”

Pupils will return to the school today.