If it becomes a reality it is likely to involve a major redevelopment of the school with new buildings and top-of-the-range resources and facilities for students.

The plan is only in its infancy with Lincolnshire County Council having made an expression of interest to the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

If it is accepted, there will be a feasibility study to consider the plan in depth to see what sort of changes might be made in terms of buildings, facilities and even its name.

Principal Vondra Mays believes it will be an asset for the school. She said: "They are prepared to commit that it would ensure a major new building and ensure the young people have the best they could possibly have.

"I'm looking forward to it, if we can get someting out of it over and above (the usual] for the children."

St Clements' is one of six schools being considered for academy status by LCC. The main criteria for turning a school into an academy is social deprivation, lower than average attainment and a need for new facilities.

But Mrs Mays says it is not because the school, which was the Earl of Scarbrough High School before being closed down as a failing school, is doing badly now.

She explained: "We have been making a terrific amount of progress and I see this as the next step of getting more resources that the college can take advantage of.

"It's something which I think we will be able to benefit from. That's key because, ultimately, if we can get extra buildings and resources coming into the college, only the children can benefit."

Academies are funded by outside sponsors rather than the local authority, because the DCSF believes sponsors take a different approach to running a school which could benefit low-perfoming schools in particular. The sponsor here will be the Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust.

Students and the academy will still be subject to traditional assessment methods and Ofsted.

LCC's assistant director of children's services Andy Breckon said: "Having world class resources for students attending the school will be of great benefit to the community and we expect the sponsor to want (people] living in Skegness to make the best use of the resources."

There are already four academies in Gainsborough and Lincoln.

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