A THIRD Barnet school has been granted academy status after an MP and leading councillor lobbied on its behalf.

The Ravenscroft School in Barnet Lane had its original application to take control of its own finances and curriculum deferred in July by Lord Hill, the government minister in charge of the decision.

However, Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers and education councillor Andrew Harper stepped in to write to Lord Hill to ask why he had made the decision for the technology college.

Now headteacher Paul Ferrie has been told the application has been successful and the school is set to fully convert to academy status in September 2011.

Mr Ferrie said: “This is another great success story for the school following on from recent GSCE results which were the best ever in the history of the school.

“Staff and students are excited by the opportunities academy status will present and hope this is the start of a whole new chapter for the school community.”

Some opponents of academies fear it could lead to schools not being supported and staff being forced to take a cut in pay or conditions.

However, the idea is supported by Barnet's ruling Tory party who have encouraged all the borough's top schools to apply for it.

Ms Villiers said: “This is an excellent result for Ravenscroft and very well deserved. The school has a great team behind it and I’m sure it will continue to go from strength to strength under its new academy status.”