An angry community is urging the trust that runs Whitehaven Academy to leave, following a devastating Ofsted report.

Staff, parents and Copeland’s mayor are demanding the immediate removal of Bright Tribe’s trust after the crisis-hit academy was placed in special measures.

Copeland MP Jamie Reed says the academy finds itself in a “catastrophic position” and he is seeking urgent meetings with officials about its future.

Around 60 academy staff members have signed a letter threatening strike action if moves to remove the trust are not made by December 13.

And their “unprecedented” actions are being backed by concerned parents and Whitehaven Academy Action Group.

A Whitehaven Academy Name and Praise Facebook page, launched on Saturday, has around 270 supporters, many of which support staff and are calling for Bright Tribe to be removed.

However, when The Whitehaven News asked the trust if it intends to pull out of the academy, it did not answer.

It is understood government ministers and the schools’ commissioner could remove the trust.

Mike Starkie, Copeland’s mayor, said: “Bright Tribe’s position has become untenable.

"There has been a complete loss of confidence in Bright Tribe, and a complete lack of engagement by the trust; they have not worked with the parents and there is no board of governors in place.

“Sadly, they have treated parents as troublemakers, instead of understanding parents just want the best education for their children.”

He said the Government needed to intervene.

“I have a lot of sympathy with the teachers who are working in extremely difficult circumstances.

“There has been no investment or progress in the three years since Bright Tribe took over, and now it’s time they took flight,” he added.

In August, more than 100 angry parents called for Bright Tribe’s removal following concerns about the academy’s future.

Simon Marley, of Whitehaven Academy Action Group, said: “We are shocked by the results of the Ofsted inspection.

“We want to work with staff and Mr Turner to make whatever improvements need to be made.”

He said the group fully supported the staff and their unprecedented threat to strike.

Desperate staff voiced their concerns in a letter to government agreeing with the Ofsted report which they claim highlights “a lack of leadership support and school improvement, accompanied by significant under-investment in both the buildings and the facilities”.

Mr Reed said: “The school now finds itself in a tragically catastrophic position after making some very bad choices. The future is uncertain.

“The teaching body has been driven into desperation and they deserve to be listened to.”

He said the interests of the pupils are top priority.

“Ideally, as we all know, we need a new school on the site and Bright Tribe should bring forward a costed, detailed plan on how they intend to do this. I am sure this would be met with support,” he added.

“I have raised these issues with the education select committee and have sought urgent meetings with the academy schools minister Lord Nash and the regional schools commissioner.”

Bright Tribe says, along with the academy, it will “continue to progress and implement whatever changes are necessary to provide all of our students with opportunities to reach their potential”.