THE Department for Education and Skills has "conveyed concerns'' to the yet-to-be built Kings Academy in Middlesbrough, over demands that parents sign up to rigid rules.

The £20m academy first ran into controversy when parents voiced fears that Creationist theory would take precedence over science.

Kings is set to replace Coulby Newham and Brackenhoe secondary schools next year. Pupils from the schools have the right to transfer to the academy.

However, all applicants are being sent copies of school attendance terms and conditions, which they must sign.

"It is important that parents get the chance to read the prospectus and to consider whether this is the kind of school to which they would like their child to go, before they receive such forms," wrote principal of the academy Richard Coupe, in a letter written on the instructions of David Vardy of the Vardy Foundation, which is putting £2m into the project.

Elsewhere in the letter Mr Coupe wrote: "It might be that a family should consider carefully whether Kings is the best place for their child, if there are significant aspects of the academy from which they wish to withdraw.''

Parent Stuart Parker is considering selling his house to move into another school's catchment area - and said he will not be alone in doing so.

He said: "We were told the academy would be there to take everybody in that geographic catchment, but now it looks as if they are wheedling out anyone who doesn't play their game.''

A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said: "We will be writing to the Kings Academy making clear to them the standard for home school agreements; what they can and cannot put in them.''

Aware of the reaction of some parents, she said officials had " conveyed their concerns to the academy".

Project director Mr Vardy said yesterday: "We believe that most parents will be prepared to express, through signing up to the rules, their commitment to work with the academy in doing everything possible to ensure their child succeeds.'