A TROUBLED academy federation in South Gloucestershire is set to come to the attention of the Education Secretary following complaints to MPs from parents and teachers.

The Ridings Federation, which runs Winterbourne and Yate International Academies, has faced criticism of its leadership in recent weeks from Ofsted inspections as well as staff strikes and a forecasted £1 million shortfall in budget for next year, and has announced plans to hand control of the schools over to a multi-academy trust (MAT).

Among the trusts being considered is a joint bid from the Castle School Education Trust and Olympus trusts.

Pupils, parents and staff from the Winterbourne academy were advised to make their concerns known to their MP on Tuesday at the launch of a campaign to save the school.

In response to an influx of their constituents getting in touch, Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall and Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti have said they plan to take the issue to Secretary of State for Education Justine Greening.

Expressing their concern over the situation, the two MPs said in a joint statement: “As two South Gloucestershire MPs where the Ridings Federations Schools serve and educate our young people, we have grown concerned over the fast evolving issues with the Ridings Trust.

“We are both extremely grateful to the many pupils, parents and teachers that have got in touch with us to share their concerns, thoughts and views on where the trust should go from here.

“We acknowledge the constituents concerns over the possible bid from Oasis Community learning and note with interest the potential proposals coming forward jointly from Castle School Education Trust and Olympus trusts.

“As existing local providers we feel this new proposal is worth exploring. To ensure the best outcome for pupils, parents and teaching staff we will be meeting with Castle School Education Trust and Olympus Trust urgently and we are organising to meet with the Secretary of State for Education, The Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, next week.”

Meanwhile, the National Union for Teachers (NUT) has called for a full consultation with parents, teachers and support staff, with the union’s regional secretary Andy Woolley writing to the regional schools commissioner for South-West England, Rebecca Clark.

He said: “There is a need for these key stakeholders such as parents and teachers plus other employees to have their views listened to by the regional schools commissioner whose job it is to sort out the problems by ensuring that management of the schools is effective, fair and aware of the interests of all who have a part in moving the school forward and learning within it.

“The process by which the decision as to who will run the schools in future must be transparent and take into account the views of these stakeholders.

“Above all we want the schools to now move forward with a stable management which is cognisant of the needs and views of the local community and its employees so that the pupils who the schools can have the best possible life chances.”