A proposed controversial merger between two education trusts in different parts of the county has taken a step closer, despite opposition from parents.

Plans to unite schools in the Rainham Mark Education Trust (RMET) with Veritas Multi Academy Trust Board, based in Deal, are being promoted by the same person who heads both.

Some have branded the move “unethical” claiming it represented “a blatant conflict of interest”.

After the completion of a six-week consultation and due diligence process involving both trusts, the chairman David Valentine has sent a letter saying they were proceeding to the next stage.

An application will now be submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) to be considered by the Regional Advisory Board.

The ultimate decision has to be rubber-stamped by the DfE.

Mr Valentine wrote: “Based on the extensive consultation process and detailed forensic due diligence undertaken by both Trusts, the Trust Boards have decided to progress with the merger between RMET and Veritas Multi Academy Trust.

“Whilst the Trust Boards have made their decision, this continues to be a long process which requires several stages of approval before a final outcome is made.

“We will of course, update you on the progress made with the proposals as we move to the next stage.”

When first mooted at the end of last year, the link emerged between Dr Kerry Jordan-Daus, an experienced secondary school teacher and university lecturer who is acting chief executive of RMET, and current CEO of Veritas.

Soon after a DfE survey revealed that Veritas was ranked as the second worst performing academy in England.

The government table looking into standards expected by key stage two pupils was on average 61 %.t. Veritas scored 35 %, making it 648th our of 649 similar academies in the country.

RMET oversees Rainham Mark Grammar School,Twydall Primary School and Riverside Primary School in Rainham. Schools run by Veritas are Warden House in Deal, Pilgrims’ Way in Canterbury and Mundella in Folkestone.

Dad Dave Hunt, 42, from Twydall, whose daughter goes to Riverside ,expressed fears that standards would drop if the merger went ahead.

He told KentOnline: “We know that they (Veritas) have come out badly in this survey, so why has it even reached the consultation stage?”

Mum Sam Monk, 38, whose children attend Rainham Mark and Riverside, said moving on to the next stage was “very worrying”.

She earlier told us: “We have been told we would be sharing and benefiting from each other’s facilities. But how can a grammar school in Rainham benefit from a primary an hour away down the road?

Mr Valentine concluded: “We continue to be excited about the opportunity for our Trusts to work collaboratively to maximise our potential and provide the best educational experience and opportunities to our school communities.

“We will continue to keep you updated throughout the various stages of this process. Thank you again for your continued support.”.