Thirteen Birmingham primary schools could be set for strike action amid claims they are being “forced” to become academies.

Staff were balloted over controversial proposals to take the primaries out of local authority control.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) said teachers were “justifiably angry”, saying that the move would take schools “away from the local community”.

It also said any changes could have a “significant impact” on employment terms and conditions for staff.

Schools which could be affected by industrial action include Erdington Hall Primary School, West Heath Primary School and Northfield Manor Primary School.

Campaign group Birmingham Anti Academy Alliance is holding a public meeting at Northfield Baptist Church on Thursday evening to discuss academy proposals.

Christine Blower, general secretary of the NUT, which has a 5,000-strong membership in Birmingham, said: “Forced academies have nothing to do with raising standards of education.

“There is no evidence at all to support the notion that changing the status of a school will transform the educational attainment of its pupils.

“The majority of the school communities in Birmingham do not support this move. The local authority needs to listen to the people who elected them.”

Around a quarter of Birmingham secondary schools are now academies, with a growing number of primaries converting to academy status.

The strike ballot was held by members of the NUT and NASUWT unions.

It comes a week after Education Secretary Michael Gove criticised staff at Montgomery Primary School, in Sparkbrook, who twice went on strike against academy plans.

Mr Gove said: “It’s wrong for teachers to go out on strike when people are offering them support for their school.”

The Education Secretary also insisted that no was “being threatened” with academy status, but claimed that schools who went down that road DID see improvements to pupil attainment.

But NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said: “Schools in Birmingham and all over the country are now facing unacceptable and unfair pressure to covert.

“There is no evidence that simply converting a school into an academy raises standards.”

Thursday’s public meeting starts at 6pm at Northfield Baptist Church, Bristol Road South.

Birmingham schools which are being balloted are:
* Erdington Hall Primary School
* Jervoise Junior School
* Northfield Manor Primary School
* Westminster Primary School
* Hobmoor Primary School
* Mansfield Green Junior and Infant School
* Tame Valley Junior School
* Tiverton Primary School
* West Heath Primary School
* Billesley Primary School
* Chivenor Junior and Infant School
* Matthew Boulton Primary School
* City Road Primary School