THE future of a controversial academy school – supported by Huddersfield University – will be decided next week.

Calderdale Council will decide whether to sponsor the proposed academy in north Halifax, which has the university as a potential sponsor.

And Calderdale Council has been recommended to become a co-sponsor by a report from the director of Children and Young People’s Services.

The academy, which also has the Wakefield Diocese as a supporter, could replace Holy Trinity Senior School.

Holy Trinity teaches more than 1,000 pupils aged 11 to 16. But the new academy will have places for 1,200 secondary school pupils, with 250 places for those in further education.

While Schools Minister Ed Balls will finally decide if the school is to become an academy, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet will decide whether to be a co-sponsor.

The report says current secondary education provision in north Halifax is insufficient and a big improvement in quality is necessary.

Views of the council’s Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel, which gave their backing on February 5, will also be considered.

Clr Craig Whittaker, the council’s cabinet member for children, said: “The academy will be more than a school. It will become a physical resource for the local community and a springboard for outreach into the community.

“The development of a new academy gives sponsors and governors the opportunity to develop innovative approaches to support children and young people who attend the school to achieve and succeed.

“This matter has been given serious consideration by the council and the decision is not being taken lightly.”

But the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in Yorkshire disagreed.

Ian Stevenson, NUT Yorkshire regional secretary, said: “This is effectively privatisation of our education service and it is not in the interests of pupils, parents or their communities.

“The NUT, through its local officers, will maintain our campaign to build links with community groups and to fight these ill-conceived and damaging proposals.”