PARENTS and pupils joined together to protest against the planned academy conversion of an improved school.

Around 50 people gathered at the gates of Hove Park School, in Nevill Road, as senior school staff held a consultation event.

The protesters handed out leaflets, waved banners and sang their anti-academy song as parents, teachers and governors attended the session.

Sharon Duggal, from the Hands Off Hove Park Group, said: “We had a really good turnout with parents, students and pupils from the feeder schools.

“The message we want to get across is that we want to keep our school as a local community school with a fair and equal admissions policy and local decision making and accountability. We don’t want it to become a business.”

The school announced their intentions in March to convert to academy status – despite them being one of the top improving schools in the country.

A further consultation evening for parents of year 11 students will be held tonight (May 21) at 6pm at the Valley Campus in Hangleton Way.

For more details visit: www.hovepark.brighton-hove.sch.uk.