TWO secondary schools look set to controversially merge despite concerns over a lack of consultation with parents.
Chingford Foundation School and Rush Croft Sports College hope to form a single academy trust in September.
This would mean the schools would move out of council control, unite under one governing body and could share facilities and staff.
But the National Union of Teachers (NUT) said parents of children at Rush Croft in Rushcroft Road were not properly consulted on the move and could take further action in an attempt to halt the process.
Rinaldo Frezzato, Waltham Forest NUT representative, said: "We are concerned about the lack of consultation and we will be challenging that.
"There's the possibility of industrial action on the horizon if they do not consult parents."
The schools' applications for academy status, which would give them financial independence and more flexibility over the curriculum, have been approved by the Department of Education.
The application by Rush Croft, which is under "considerable pressure" to improve according to headteacher Pat Cutler, was sponsored by Chingford Foundation School in Nevin Drive.
Mr Frezzato claimed the move could spell disaster for the schools.
He said: "They could change conditions of service, such as pay, quite drastically and there is no set rules for how children are taught," he said. "They could say 'we will carry on with the curriculum' but that's a voluntary decision which could last five minutes until they change their mind. That doesn't help children's education."
In a joint statement, Pat Cutler and Chingford Foundation head, Mark Morrall, said: "We're delighted that the Secretary of State has supported our plans for Chingford Foundation School to
form a multi-academy trust and for Rush Croft Sports College to join that trust as an academy in itself.
"The schools have worked closely together to achieve this aim and will now set to the task of following the fast track process to enable Rush Croft to open as an Academy on September 1 2012."
Clare Coghill, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "The council wishes both schools every success for the future and is pleased that a strong local school is sponsoring Rush Croft.
"I am confident that going forward our children will receive the quality of education they deserve and that I will be striving to deliver through the many schools that remain within the local authority-led schools community."
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