AN MP has told an underperforming Darlington school that she expects to see significant improvements within the next two terms.

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman called an emergency meeting to discuss the future of St Aidan’s Church of England Academy in Darlington after it was branded “inadequate” by Ofsted.

Ms Chapman met with a senior representative from the Diocese of Durham, which co-sponsors the school, as well as the Chair Governors for St Aidan’s, plus Darlington Council’s chief executive and cabinet member for children and young people.

Speaking after the behind-closed-doors meeting at Darlington Town Hall today (Thursday, November 20), Ms Chapman said: “There was a frank exchange of views.

“The school is preparing an action plan with its sponsors which I look forward to receiving next week.

“I will be looking for significant improvements in behaviour, attendance and attainment within two terms.”

The £16m academy was established in 2007 to replace the failing Eastbourne Comprehensive School, but an Ofsted inspection published this month criticised it in three key areas.

The 597-pupil academy was judged inadequate in its quality of teaching, pupils’ behaviour and safety and pupil achievement.

Ms Chapman has previously pointed out that the once-underperforming Darlington School of Mathematics and Science has managed to turn itself around in recent years and she hoped the same could happen at St Aidan’s.

She said: “At the forefront of my mind are the concerns of parents.

“On the positive side, everyone around the table is committed to raising standards at St Aidan’s.

“My ambition is that no child in Darlington should be educated at a school that is anything other than good or outstanding.”

The Venerable Stuart Bain, Archdeacon of Sunderland and Chair of the Durham Diocesan Board of Education, described the meeting and being “useful, with some positive outcomes”.

He said: “We all share the same desire to move this school forward as quickly as possible for the benefit of students and the local community.

“We had an open and honest discussion about the issues and were able to share how the Diocese will support the school and closely monitor progress and we have invited the local authority to be part of that monitoring process, we will also share with them the action plan."

Chair of Governors for St Aidan’s, the Revd Canon Sheila Bamber added: “A lot has been said over the last few weeks and whilst we need to demonstrate that we are making good progress, we remain confident that the actions we have taken over the last year and specifically since the start of the autumn term will deliver the desired outcomes.

“I want to reassure parents and students that we are committed to delivering an education and pastoral experience that will enable every child to flourish, this remains our primary focus and we will not fail them.”

The academy has already asked the principal of Whitburn Church of England Academy, a school in the Diocese rated “outstanding” by Ofsted, to support St Aidan’s in its efforts to improve.