A SCHOOL which specialises in vocational subjects is seeking new sponsorship after having its funding withdrawn.

The Robert Owen Academy could close at the end of the academic year if a new sponsor isn't found after the Regional Schools Commissioner for the West Midlands confirmed that it would cease to fund the school from August 31, 2018.

Chris Morgan, chair of The Robert Owen Academies Trust, said that efforts were now being made to secure the long term future of the Blackfriars Street academy.

In a statement released to parents Mr Morgan said: "Trustees of Robert Owen Academies Trust are committed to ensuring that the academy is able to support all of its students during the course of this academic year. In addition, we have a determination to ensure that the academy, in whatever form, continues to deliver its much needed vocation-focused training for the young people of Herefordshire.

“The trustees believe that Robert Owen Academy is the only choice for a number of young people in the county – all of whom are able to benefit from its unique blend of vocational and academic education delivered by the Principal, Paul Cordey and his colleagues.

“We have been particularly heartened by the stories of many young people who have benefited greatly from the academy’s approach to education resulting in individual learning programmes that have allowed them to focus on their strengths.

"We know too that if the academy were to close, there would be many youngsters whose education and training needs will not be met by other establishments.

“It is for that reason that we are continuing our efforts to secure the longer term continuation of the academy. These efforts go back some two years when the trustees and governors recognised the very real benefits of the Robert Owen Academy being taken over by a larger multi-academy trust with control of several schools.

“We communicated this view to the then Regional Schools Commissioner together with some suggestions for new contractors. We were disappointed that this was not followed through and we now welcome the suggestion that has been made to transfer the contract for running the academy to a new group with a larger remit. This can only be good news for Herefordshire."

“Paul Cordey has already said that he would be very happy to meet with you to talk through the implications and opportunities and I too would also be happy to hear your views. "You can write to me at The Robert Owen Academies Trust, Robert Owen Academy, Blackfriars St, Hereford, HR4 9HS."

The school previously received a 'Financial Notice to Improve' after the Education Funding Agency had concerns about the weak financial position of the trust.

In February the school received a damming report from inspectorate body Ofsted which rated the school 'inadequate' in every section of its report.

In response academy chiefs said the report was a "blatant failure on the part of the regulator to understand and appreciate the ‘real and positive impacts’ the specialist vocational academy is having on its students."