Twenty Derbyshire schools eye academy status
Twenty schools in Derbyshire have shown an interest in becoming academies, according to a new government list.
Academy status would give them more freedom over the school curriculum and teachers' pay.
Six schools in Derby and 14 in the rest of the county have expressed an interest in taking on academy status.
The change would give them more independence with budgets coming from central government instead of local councils.
If governors and head teachers are able to move quickly with their requests, the change in status could be made by September.
Any school wanting to have the chance of opening as an academy by September needs to register with the government by 30 June.
The names of more than 1,500 schools interested in academy status in England have been published by the government.