PARENTS, pupils and teachers have rallied in support of their closure-threatened Christian academy, staging a ‘save our school’ protest and firmly rejecting claims of rife racism, sexism and homophobia.

Dozens of parents, children and staff at Durham Free School (DFS) – some visibly distraught and in tears – gathered at the school to beg Education Secretary Nicky Morgan to change her mind and spare the controversial new school’s funding.

Many were furious at Ofsted’s claim DFS leaders tolerated a racist, sexist and homophobic culture, saying the school had an inclusive, family atmosphere.

Chinese businessman Billy Lau, who paid for a crane to hoist a ‘Save Our School’ sign above the Gilesgate campus, claimed his son Cameron, 12, had suffered racist bullying at a previous school but was very happy at DFS.

Lesbian mother Alison Pearson said her daughter Amy, 11, had been victimised at her old school because of her mother’s sexuality but loved DFS.

Ms Pearson said: "Amy’s doing very well – she loves it. She’s upset because she doesn’t want to move schools again.

Mr Lau added: “It’s an absolutely fantastic school. [Cameron] is a different child since coming here.

“He used to be upset at going to school. He’s happy coming here. This has been a haven for him.”

It is now a week since Ms Morgan’s shock announcement that she intended to withdraw funding for DFS.

That came after the schools inspectorate Ofsted slammed the 18-month-old school as failing across all areas.

Parents have until Tuesday, February 3, to persuade the Education Secretary to save their school.

The Department for Education has not said when a final decision will be announced.

However, support has poured in, with about 1,600 people signing a petition against closure.

On Saturday (January 24), parent David Lewarne took his daughter Jessica Goodwin, 12, on a 300-mile round trip to Loughborough in the hope of meeting Ms Morgan at her constituency surgery, but arrived to find the advertised venue was closed.

Chairman of governors John Denning, who is continuing to take legal advice on the process, said: “There’s a real fighting spirit among the parents. They have seen how the school has transformed their children’s lives.

“If the politicians are doing the right thing, they will listen to the parents and the school will remain open.”

MPs will get the chance to show their support tomorrow (Tuesday, January 27), with Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods expected to lead a Parliamentary debate.

She will also visit DFS and meet parents later this week (Friday, January 30).

Ms Morgan said one day spent in a failing school was one too many and there was no imminent prospect of improvement; and Ofsted has repeatedly defended its inspection.

The Education Secretary added: “We will not tolerate failure in our schools and it is one of the great strengths of the free school programme that we can identify and deal with it quickly in a way that is not possible in all schools.

“The Ofsted report into Durham Free School reveals that children are being let down by a catalogue of failures. It is failing to ensure children are looked after, failing to provide an environment in which children are able to learn, and failing to provide the quality of education that we expect.

"These findings come on top of a review by the Education Funding Agency which identified serious concerns about financial management, control and governance.

“It is clear that this has been a troubled school for some time and there is no imminent prospect of improvement. We have therefore decided to close the school and will work with the local authority to ensure every child is found a place at another local school where they can thrive and receive the standard of education that they deserve”.