A new specialist academy trust which has been set up by the government to take on struggling schools in the North of England has announced it is taking on its first academy.

Falcon Education Academies Trust will take on Thornaby Academy, in Stockton-on-Tees, early next year, it was revealed today.

The trust was set up to take on and turn around schools in the North with a history of educational under performance or financial problems.

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Thornaby Academy,  an 11-16 school,  is currently rated as inadequate by Ofsted and has just over 350 pupils - less than half its capacity of 750.  Its progress 8 score last year was -0.67.

The Falcon Education Academies Trust has senior figures from three well established multi academy trusts in the North.

The trust’s chief executive Gareth Mason is a former director of education at Delta Academies Trust.

The new trust is chaired by David Earnshaw who is also chair of trustees at Outwood Grange Academies Trust and Kam Kothia, who is the chair of trustees at Star Academies, is one of Falcon’s directors.

The regional schools commissioner for the North of England Katherine Cowell has approved Thornaby Academy moving from Teesside Learning Trust  to Falcon early in the new year - subject to a due diligence exercise.

The creation of a new specialist academy trust to take on the most challenging schools in the North was announced by education secretary Gavin Willliamson in September.

Speaking today Mr Williamson said: “This Government has always been clear that where there are stuck or underperforming schools, we will take swift action to help them to improve - sitting back and letting communities down is not an option.

“That’s why we’re supporting the Falcon Education Academies Trust, to help some of the most challenging schools in the North of England and it’s encouraging to see the trust is now in a position to support its first school.”

Mr Mason said: “We want to provide the pupils at Thornaby Academy, both now and in the future, with the high-quality education they deserve. 

“Falcon has a model of school improvement that is underpinned by an understanding of support and collaboration across some of the most successful Trusts in the country.

“We will be using that experience and expertise to deliver a positive result for Thornaby and its pupils, and are looking forward to working with the pupils, parents and staff at the school.”

John Baker,  the chair of Teesside Learning Trust, said: “Following discussions with the regional schools commissioner earlier this year, it was agreed that possibilities would be explored with a view to finding an alternative sponsor which has the capacity to drive improved outcomes for our students at Thornaby Academy.  

“We are pleased that Falcon Education Academies Trust has been invited to carry out a due diligence exercise and subject to a satisfactory outcome the intention will be to transfer Thornaby Academy into that trust.

“The Board of Teesside Learning Trust welcome this positive news and see it as an excellent opportunity for our students and staff as well as being in the best interests of the local community.”