A free school for 13- to 19-year-olds specialising in Stem is to close after just four years due to concerns over safeguarding problems and poor teaching and leadership.

Discovery School, in Newcastle, has announced that its funding agreement with the Department for Education is being terminated.

It opened in a new building in 2014 offering an alternative to a traditional school with a curriculum focused on Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths).

However, it is now set to become the latest free school to close amid concerns over standards and safeguarding.

The school hit the headlines earlier this year when it left a pupil alone in London following a school trip. 

A statement from Discovery said pupils, parents and staff had been informed of the school closure.

It added: “The decision has been taken based on well-documented issues at the school including safeguarding problems, poor teaching and leadership, and the results of a recent Ofsted, which is expected to deem the school inadequate.”

A spokesman for Discovery said: “We regret this is the outcome but it is clear the school is simply not working for students, parents and staff.

 “Our first duty is to the pupils who are entitled to be safe, well and to get the best education they can.

“We realise this will be upsetting for pupils and parents - and for staff who will be made redundant. However, we cannot allow the situation to continue and believe that in the long term this will be for the best.

“It is very early days and in the next few weeks there will be a lot of activity to ensure that the process of closure, and finding new schools for pupils is as straightforward as possible. We will offer full support to those families affected.”

All GCSE students will be able to continue their studies uninterrupted and post-16 examinations will take place as usual until the summer.

Newcastle Connexions Service will be on site at Discovery School to offer support and advice.

The school is said to be working with the DfE and Newcastle Council to find alternative places for pupils.