ROUTE 39 Academy Trust’s governors have resigned in an open letter to the regional schools commissioner, stating they ‘have no confidence that the plans for Route 39 Academy are in the best interests of students, staff or parents’.

The letter to Lisa Mannall, regional schools commissioner South West, posted to social media last week, said ‘the action of your office in appointing Launceston College MAT has effectively neutered the trust and parent governors and therefore we are no longer in a position to discharge our duties effectively and in accordance with the funding agreement’.

The free school was rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted last summer, and the letter indicates Launceston College MAT (Multi Academy Trust) has been appointed to run it.

But the governors’ letter said Route 39 Academy Trust disputed Ofsted’s judgement at the time.

The letter claims Oftsed inspectors ‘did not adhere to the Code of Conduct for inspectors, leaving staff and governors feeling bullied, ignored and humiliated’.

The letter goes on to read: “When Route 39 was given approval in 2013, this was with a progressive education vision that provided a choice in the local area. Launceston College MAT have a traditional approach which is ideologically opposed to that of the Route 39 founding vision. Therefore the trust governors believe any proposal to retain aspects of the vision will be with a view that this will be phased out over time. In effect the RSC action to appoint this MAT will result in the effective closure of the Route 39 Academy that the parents chose. In its place will be a school similar to those already in the area and therefore unlikely to attract enough students to make it viable.

“We give you notice that we will resign our positions forthwith and pass the responsibility for the governance of the academy to the Secretary of State or his representatives.”

A spokesperson for Launceston College said: “Launceston College Multi Academy Trust has no comment at this point and understands that the Regional Schools Commissioner’s (RSC) office are responding to this in due course.”

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Where any school is not meeting the standards we expect, we will not hesitate to take action to address this and bring about improvements for the young people involved.

“We are working with Route 39 Academy to complete proposals for the preferred choice of academy sponsor, Launceston College, who is already working closely with the school and is committed to raising standards for pupils at the academy.

“We are seeking agreement from the trust to establish an Interim Governing Board at the earliest opportunity.”