ACADEMY CONCERNS: IS Darlington Borough Council trying to pull a fast one yet again by persuading the Government to provide more taxpayers' money to make good the lack of repair and/or maintenance of Eastbourne School over the years? (Echo, Dec 12).

Does the council honestly believe that the sponsors of the academy will welcome all the pupils of Eastbourne School with open arms?

As I understand from admissions policies elsewhere, it is likely that the academy will not accept non-Church of England attenders and they may well set conditions for even those children who are. For example, the sponsors may well seek confirmation that the children are regular churchgoers.

The poor results at Eastbourne School under the stewardship of the borough council is likely to mean that they will be below the standards which will be required for admission to the academy.

I do not imagine that the sponsors, having put in £2m, will want their school to be at the bottom of the league table. Let us hear from the council and the sponsors of the academy just what are the entrance requirements. - John W Antill, Darlington