MP John Cryer has written to the Secretary of State for Education to argue against a primary school in special measures becoming an academy.

In an open letter to Michael Gove, the Leyton and Wanstead MP said changing Snaresbrook Primary School's status would be “heavy-handed and unnecessary”.

The Meadow Walk school was placed in special measures following a June inspection which found standards in reading, writing and mathematics were inadequate and poor teaching and leadership were preventing pupils’ progression.

“I do not support the proposal that this school becomes an academy,” Mr Cryer wrote.

“In short, it appears to me as the local MP that the issues that gave rise to such a poor Ofsted report are being robustly addressed by the school (under new leadership) the board of governors (again, under new leadership) and the local authority.

“Yet, I know that discussions are taking place now between the DfE, the local authority and the board of governors regarding academisation and potential sponsors.

“This seems like a heavy-handed and unnecessary step, given that the school and local authority are competently managing the situation, invalidating the rationale for forcing academy status.”

He added that key stage two results for the school to be announced in October will be the fourth highest in the borough.

Around 150 campaigners gathered outside the school on Tuesday while a Department for Education (DfE) official met with governors.

The Redbridge Liberal Democrat group is tonight due to table a motion at a meeting of full council objecting to the proposal.

Many failing schools are converted into academies, but the DfE insists a final decision on Snaresbrook Primary has not been made.

A DfE consultation with parents is due to take place in the next few weeks to discuss the cases for and against turning the school into an academy.