More than 120 students at Whitehaven Academy have written in support of their teachers who are threatening strike action.

The majority of sixth form students and some from years 10 and 11 have signed a letter backing staff who want to take industrial action if moves are not made by Tuesday to remove Bright Tribe, the trust that runs the academy.

And students are calling for the school to become a stand-alone academy being led by headteacher Warren Turner and teaching staff.

It follows a devastating Ofsted report that put the school into special measures.

The students state: “We wholeheartedly support our teachers in their decisions to stand up against their poor working conditions and lack of support.

“We have seen first-hand these issues which have affected our chances of a good education. We believe it is now time our voices are heard as we are also suffering.”

The letter states: “It disheartens us, as students, to see other schools in close proximity becoming academies and being granted new builds, upgrades and funding when we are left with a crumbling building that has been here as long as anyone can remember.”

They say their teachers “work incredibly hard in poor working conditions”, in classrooms that aren’t heated properly and facilities that are “underfunded”.

The letter states students in years 11 up to 14 have seen seven changes in leadership, four uniform changes and the closure of two younger buildings on site.

“Surely enough is enough. It has caused enough disruptions to our learning, and as a consequence, has affected grades,” they said.

Students also highlighted a lack of funding for learning resources. They praised headteacher Mr Turner who they say has “worked tirelessly to bring about positive changes and boost moral that had both dwindled in teachers and students for many years”.

Students believe Mr Turner is the right person to bring about change at the academy.

“We believe... the Whitehaven Academy should become a stand-alone academy with control of its own funding, with the current headteacher and teaching staff being in control of our futures, whom we trust and respect implicitly,” they added.