EDUCATION chiefs in Darlington have again been condemned by school governors over plans for a £25m city academy.

Darlington Borough Council's proposals to merge high-flying Hurworth School and troubled Eastbourne Comprehensive have sparked anger among parents of children at the former establishment.

A campaign group -- Save Hurworth and Rural Education (Share) - has already been established to fight the move. The council is hoping to pursue funding through the Government's academy programme for the development, which would take place at the top of Yarm Road, Darlington.

Cabinet members agreed earlier this week to seek further views and confirm the identity of a private sponsor, who would contribute about £2m, before going any further.

The council is keen on the academy, despite the overwhelming rejection of the idea from governors at Hurworth School, who are eager to secure foundation status instead.

And the secondary school's stance has now been strongly supported by Hurworth Primary School governors, who issued a statement attacking the council yesterday.

In it, governors accused the children's services department of remaining "aloof and distanced from the true democratic process of consultation".

They also said: "We are extremely concerned with regard to the total lack of communication towards our school and its governing body."

The primary school said its current pupils would be among the worst affected by a move, as an academy could be created by 2008 at the earliest.

Its statement added: "The governing body fully supports the wonderful efforts of Share in its pursuit to stop the potential closure."

The council declined to comment on the statement.

Earlier this week, council leader John Williams said he wanted to see "engagement secured with all schools and parents, employers, community groups, public service organisations and others who have an interest".

The authority's cabinet agreed to seek a further report on the issue at a meeting on Tuesday.

It has been urged by lifelong learning scrutiny committee members to support an expression of interest in an academy being submitted to the Department for Education and Skills.