Seven primary schools in Cambridgeshire –including three in Fenland and one in Soham- have received warning notices about poor performance as the civil servant who oversees academies exercised new legal powers for the first time.

List of local schools handed warning notices

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Thomas Eaton Community Primary

Ramsey Community Junior

The Weatheralls Primary

Glebelands Primary

Elm CofE Primary

Huntingdon Primary

Trumpington Meadows Primary

The letters from Tim Coulson, regional schools commissioner for the East of England and North-East London, told chairs of governors to explain the reasons for “unacceptably low standards” and the action they were taking, and sought an assurance they were “actively considering joining a strong local multi-academy trust”.

If he is unconvinced by the information received, he could turn them into academies under powers he gained after the Education and Adoption Act came into force in April.

Cambridgeshire County Council said it identified concerns in its seven schools last August, and has been “providing a wide range of support depending on the school’s needs”.

A Department for Education spokesman said: “Many of the schools sent warning notices have welcomed the support that a multi-academy ‎trust can offer. If the information provided by the schools is not sufficiently reassuring or convincing, we will consider using the intervention powers set out in the Act.”