A bid to create a controversial independent trust school in Cannock Chase has moved a step closer after a key vote by governors at Kingsmead Technology College.

The governors at the Kings Avenue site in Hednesford voted in favour of becoming independent from Staffordshire County Council at their last meeting on December 12 and the college will continue to the next stage of the legal process.

Campaign group, Chase Against Trust Schools has criticised the decision and called for the county council to step in and stop it.

They claim the concerns of parents, staff and the wider community are being ignored.

Rob Kelsall, a spokesman for the campaigners, said: “Governors and the leadership of the school have ignored the views expressed during the first stage consultation by parents.

“Our schools should remain as community schools. Teachers are against this, parents are against this and members of the public are against this.”

But Gemma Styles, a spokesman for the county council, said they had no intention on stepping in and overturning the decision.

She said: “The county council has neither the power or the desire to intervene. The governors are entitled to take this action if they wish and we will work with them whatever their decision.”