THE governors of East Cleveland's ground-breaking new college have come down firmly on the side of aiming for a city academy.

The Freebrough community college governors say the idea gives the chance to deliver the vision of 21st century education that Freebrough has been planning.

Their decision comes as Redcar and Cleveland council starts formal consultations on the possibility of a £12m city academy. Meetings with parents and the public have been held all this week in a bid to give everyone a say.

If an academy eventually became a reality, Freebrough would cease to exist. The college only came into being last month, as one school run from three sites in Skelton, Loftus and Brotton.

The concept was developed as a way of tackling falling numbers at the three secondary schools.

Shadow governing body chairman, Mrs Kate Cook, said this week: "We have been impressed by the way everyone has worked together across our three centres.

"But their efforts are hampered by out-of-date facilities which, even with extra funding, could never match a new city academy. We believe the people of East Cleveland deserve the best.

"Our vision of learning for life would be a real possibility with local learning centres linked to the main site by technology. This is a wonderful opportunity."

Mrs Cook said the governing body would welcome support in securing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and she urged parents and the public to return the response forms which were handed this week.

When Freebrough was mooted two years ago, the council could not offer the option of a new school for the area. Now, through a new government initiative, it might be possible to secure up to £10m for an academy.

Another £2m would have to found in sponsorship. The money would enable a new purpose-built school to be constructed to replace secondary school sites in Skelton, Loftus and Brotton.