THOMAS Clarkson Community College has secured Government approval to become an academy from April next year.

The academy, which has yet to be named, will be sponsored by the Brooke Weston Partnership, who will run the Wisbech school with its governing body.

The go-ahead was confirmed in a letter to the chair of governors from Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools Lord Hill.

The Brooke Weston Partnership already consists of three schools - Brooke Weston, Corby Business Academy and Kettering Science Academy. Its Executive Principal is Sir Peter Simpson.

Principal Maureen Strudwick said: “We are looking forward to becoming another member of the Brooke Weston ‘family’ and working together to further improve our college.

“This step, along with the move into our superb new building, comprise a very exciting future for Thomas Clarkson.”

The academy will cater for pupils aged 11-19 and will replace Thomas Clarkson Community College on April 1 2012.

Sir Peter Simpson said: “We are delighted to be working with Thomas Clarkson on the next phase of the move to academy status.

“The Brooke Weston Partnership is looking forward to seeing the new academy go from strength to strength and contributing to many aspects of community life in Wisbech.”

As an academy, the Wisbech school will break away from local government control, giving it freedom from the National Curriculum and the ability to make key decisions themselves.

Governors of Neale-Wade Community College, in March, are currently considering whether they should also adopt academy status.