CAMPAIGNERS opposing the closure of Hurworth School have vowed to step up their efforts after proposals for a £25m privately-sponsored city academy in Darlington were unveiled.

Protestors fighting to retain the school in its rural location yesterday held another demonstration on the site where council bosses want to establish the controversial academy.

The planned development in Yarm Road, Darlington, would bring Hurworth and Eastbourne Comprehensive pupils together.

But campaigners, who have already held a string of high-profile protests, last night said more was to come.

Darlington Borough Council announced in June that it planned to create a 1,200-pupil Hurworth School on the site, but then on Tuesday it revealed that the Government had invited it to press for an academy instead.

Protestors said they feared an academy, whose sponsor would have a crucial say in the curriculum and appointment of governors, would alienate the village even more than a replacement Hurworth School.

Along with their protests at the proposed site, near the Cummins Engines plant, the Save Hurworth and Rural Education (Share) group plan to hold an anti-council demonstrations in Darlington town centre on October 15.

Spokesman Ian Holme said: "The proposals are now totally different to the one put to the parents and governors earlier in the year. We have not been consulted at all about an academy.

"Although they are saying they will transfer the ethos and standards of Hurworth School to this new academy, how can they ensure that when the sponsor can bring in its own head and governors?"

Borough councillor Martin Swainston, who represents the Hurworth ward, said: "It seems people have been led up the garden path. All of a sudden, it has gone from school merger to formation of a city academy. The goal-posts have been moved yet again."

A council spokesman said concerned parties would be able to take part in an extensive consultation if and when plans for an academy were finalised.

"As yet, any talk of an academy is only an expression of interest. Giving information is very different from consultation, we are not at that stage yet," he said.

"Any sponsor would be chosen as one that is buying into Darlington's vision of academic excellence, of which Hurworth's standards, teaching and ethos very much at the centre."

Anyone wanting further information about the academy plans can call a council hotline on (01325) 388212.