Council rows back from JR of academy formed by primary and private schools

A North East council has decided "very reluctantly" not to pursue a judicial review over the Education Secretary's decision to back the creation of a new academy out of two primary and public schools.

Michael Gove signed the funding agreement for Kings Priory School - which will be formed out of Priory Primary School and King's School, Tynemouth - in July.

Following an extraordinary Cabinet meeting on Monday, North Tyneside Council described Michael Gove's decision-making as "last minute and flawed". But it said that progressing formal legal action "would only cause disruption and upset for the children and families facing uncertainty about school places for September".

The Cabinet said it would now focus its attention on protecting the future education for all the borough's 30,000 children. It has been claimed that the establishment of the new academy would create 20% surplus places.

Officers are to provide a report within the next few months.

Cllr Ian Grayson, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning said: "We remain deeply concerned at the Secretary of State's stance and astounded at the illogical explanations he has given for his decision; However, we are acutely aware of the effect any ongoing uncertainty will have on children and their families. For that reason we are not pursuing a legal challenge to the decision.

"We only want what's best for all 30,000 children in North Tyneside and that is why we have been in ongoing correspondence with the Government, since becoming aware of the proposals in September last year. We were bitterly disappointed - but sadly not at all surprised - that the Secretary of State has treated us in this way by not providing us with information and leaving it until the very last minute to inform us."

Cllr Grayson added: "It is our view that by rushing through such an important decision he has made key mistakes and has not properly engaged with the authority, who will now be left to pick up the pieces.

"We have never understood why this matter needs to be dealt with in such haste. If the government had been prepared to set their opening timescale for 2014, this would have provided more time to sensibly consider this matter.

Cllr Grayson said the council hoped that the Education Secretary will make an offer of additional funding to support the local schools in the coming years. "It is not an unreasonable expectation, after all he has been quite happy to pay off the substantial debts, in the region of £5m, of the fee charging Kings School."