South Shields school launches new academy bid

Parents of students at Harton Technology College in South Shields, were informed of plans via a text message on Friday which encouraged them visit the school's website.

In January 2015 governors ruled against making an application for academy status, which would mean the Lisle Road school was removed from local authority control.

On the website is a message from the school's head of governors Scott Duffy

It states: "The Governing Body at Harton Technology College carried out a consultation into the viability of conversion in 2014 but decided that the time was not right to make the change. The Governors made a decision to review the situation in the future.

"This message is intended to keep any interested parties informed of the Governors’ intention to find out more: the decision will only be made after consultation and only if it is agreed by Governors that it would be in the best interest of the pupils, staff and the community of Harton Technology College."

A consultation period will now be held until June 30.

However, the news has alarmed Green Party activist Shirley Ford who has a child at the school.

She said: "We fought against this the last time, and now just over a year later it's been brought back to the table.

"To make matters worse we receive a text on Friday informing us that we are now in a consultation period - right before half term begins.

"It's ridiculous."

The school did not wish to comment on the issue.