Roman Catholic schools in the borough could be “forced” to be become academies.

Brentwood Diocese, which oversees the administration of the Roman Catholic community in the area, has run a consultation asking people in the area if they would support the move.

But some of the schools are maintained by Redbridge Council and officers are “dismayed” and “disappointed” by the style and manner in which the consultation has been carried out.

Academies are schools that are funded by the Government’s Department for Education but are independent of local authority control.

The council’s operational director for education, Colin Stewart, has written a strongly worded letter to the diocese.

He wrote: “The council has asked me to write to you to express both our concern and our unequivocal opposition to both the content and consultation process to force all Roman Catholic schools in Redbridge to convert to academies.

“We are disappointed at the total absence of communication and the scant regard the diocese has shown for the views of schools, staff, parent and stakeholders, including both ourselves and Barking and Dagenham Council in progressing your plans.”

Mr Stewart added that the council, schools, parents and other authorities are preparing to take “all possible steps” to oppose the forced academisation.

He added: “We are confident that most of the borough’s schools wish to remain as local authority maintained. We are equally confident that the preference to stay linked to the local authority is strong among the Roman Catholic school community.”

The relationship between the council and the Diocese appears to have soured as a result of the consultation as Mr Stewart talks in past tense about the previous good relationship the two organisations shared.

But Mr Stewart says the council is determined to maintain a dialogue rather than resort to formal challenges at this stage.

Robert Simpson, director of education for Brentwood Diocese, said the plan to academise Roman Catholic schools in Redbridge was proving “largely popular” with schools, headteachers and parents.

He said: “After a wide and comprehensive consultation, the Bishop of Brentwood, the Rt Rev Alan Williams, along with diocesan officers developed an academisation plan to be implemented over the course of the next three years.

“We are more than happy to have further dialogue with parents to inform them about our academisation plans, as they are the primary educators of their children.

“All schools in the Diocese of Brentwood are under the authority of the bishop, and it’s his informed decision to move forward with these plans, thus moving the diocese in line with the prevailing national trend towards academisation.”