TWO schools in the district – including University Academy Keighley – which were to become part of Wakefield City Academies Trust have been dealt a blow after the sudden announcement that the move is no longer going ahead.

However, the trust has said it will continue to support both UAK and Hanson School, in Bradford, as it works with the Department for Education to “ensure an effective transition to support their ongoing development.”

The trust has declined to give a definitive reason for its back-pedalling, while Bradford Council is reassuring parents the schools will continue to run as normal.

WCAT has been working as a school improvement partner with both under service level agreements.

Trust chairman Dr John Hargreaves said: “We have made a significant impact at both academies over the past 12 months.

"University Academy Keighley saw year 11 students achieve a significant increase in their five A* to C GCSEs results including maths and English. At Hanson, Ofsted inspectors said, under head teacher Richard Woods, a WCAT employee, the school was taking ‘effective action towards the removal of special measures’. The trust has helped resolve several issues.

“We have resolved to work with both schools extending our service level agreements to continue the improvement in performance. We are working with the Department for Education and others to ensure students do not experience any disruption to their education during this transitionary period.”

As well as its support for Hanson School and UAK, in the past 12 months WCAT says it has completed the conversion of three Bradford primary schools into academies – Thornbury, Barkerend and High Crags.

Dr Hargreaves added: “WCAT’s focus is on improving the standards of education in our academies to progress the outcomes for all our students.”

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council's executive member for education, employment and skills said: "This is not a reflection on these schools or the Bradford district. It is a decision Wakefield City Academies Trust has taken to review its organisational structure.

"Identifying sponsors for academies is the Department for Education's responsibility but Bradford Council does all it can to ensure that strong academy sponsors operate in our district as part of the ongoing effort to ensure all Bradford school pupils receive a good education.

"We are providing support to both schools. Parents should be reassured that the schools will continue to operate as normal and this process will not detract the focus away from their children's education."