TWO academies in Yate and Winterbourne have dismissed reports they could face closure due to a £1 million budget deficit.

It had been suggested that Yate and Winterbourne International Academies could shut down due to a lack of money, after the leak of a confidential email containing the financial forecasts for the end of the current year.

The email from Claire Emery, the chairman of the board of trustees for the Riding’s Federation which run the schools, highlighted that major cuts would be needed with the expected shortfall, but the organisation has argued that it does not at any point suggest closure.

In a statement from Ms Emery, issued today by the federation, she said it would remain “committed to supporting all of its staff and will continue to engage with its employees and their representatives as appropriate.”

She added: “My confidential letter to all staff illustrates my commitment to engage with staff in an open and transparent way, and the commitment to delivering excellent teaching to the Federation's students."

Speaking to the Gazette, Robin Phillips, the federation’s head of marketing and communications, said: “The main purpose of the email was to get everyone thinking along similar lines. Being cost efficient while continuing to deliver the level of education that the children require.

“As with every organisation, if you have a deficit, you want to sort it sooner rather than later, and do it internally, but it was a shame it was publicised in such a manner before the school was able to address it ourselves.

“The parents have been very supportive in the wake of the news. A lot were understandably concerned and have phoned us for more information, but everyone I have spoken to has been quite positive about Claire being upfront, asking for feedback on how we think we can improve.”

It is understood that the Ridings’ executive principal Adam Williams has not yet returned to work this academic year due to illness, but plans are in place to manage in his absence.

The academies have recently celebrated a series of impressive results for both GCSEs and A-Levels, with Winterbourne having achieved a 100 per cent A-Level pass rate.

Mr Phillips did not say whether cutting the number of staff was being considered as a way of reducing costs.

A meeting of the board of trustees is set for later this week.