AN MP has accused a council of being “determined to cause chaos” in education in his constituency.

Kevan Jones, Labour MP for North Durham, hit out at Labour-led Durham County Council amid rumours the authority is to quit as sponsor of the flagship North Durham Academy, in Stanley.

The £30m purpose-built academy was one of the first in the county and only opened its doors last September.

Mr Jones said he was very concerned at reports from local councillors that the authority is to end its role as sponsor and particularly annoyed it appeared this was happening without consultation.

He said academy Principal David Thornton seemed to be unaware of the plans.

In a letter to Rachael Shimmin, the council’s corporate director for children and adults services, he said: “I am unsure what you and (head of education) Caroline O’Neill have against secondary education in my constituency, but it would seem Durham County Council, whether intentionally or otherwise, is determined to cause chaos.

“I am not prepared to stand by and let this happen and rest assured I will vigorously oppose this short-sighted move.”

In response, Councillor Ossie Johnson, the council’s cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said no decisions had been taken.

“The council often reviews how it best should support all schools right across the county, as is the case with North Durham Academy.

“However absolutely no decisions have been made. If that were to change all proper consultation would be undertaken.”

On hearing Cllr Johnson’s comments, Mr Jones replied: “That is not the impression given to local councillors, who were left with the view that this was a done deal by officers and that they were being told, not consulted.”

The North Durham Academy replaced Stanley School of Technology and Greencroft Business and Enterprise Community School in September 2011 and 1,100 pupils moved into its purpose-built, state-of-the-art £30m premises, built on the site of the West Stanley pit disaster of 1909, two years later.

It is co-sponsored by the council and New College Durham.

This is the second time in quick succession Mr Jones has slammed the council’s education department. Last week, he accused the authority of dragging its feet over leadership problems at the Durham Federation and declared he had no faith it could turn around the two crisis-hit schools.