QUESTIONS over job cuts and poor performance have prompted Isle of Wight councillors to call for AET to replaced as the trust in charge at Sandown Bay Academy.
It comes after the school announced sweeping cuts to teaching and support staff. Six teachers could be axed, along with 12 support staff, including the school nurse.
The proposals have sparked concerns that students will not receive the support they need and may even be put at risk.
In a letter to the chief executive officer of AET, Julian Drinkall, lead councillor for children’s services and education Cllr Whitehouse said: "There are allegations being made in the community that the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) is removing £850,000 over a two year period from the budget of Sandown to cross subsidise AET activity elsewhere in the academy chain."
In a statement today (Tuesday) Cllr Whitehouse said: "Performance at Sandown Bay Academy is simply not good enough. AET, the organisation that is responsible for running the academy, should be investing every penny in driving up education standards and improving outcomes for the students who attend the school.
"I met privately with a previous government minister for schools to express my deep concern about the under-performance of AET.
"In my view, the organisation is simply not up to the job and should be relieved of its responsibilities and replaced by a sponsor that can deliver the improvements and expertise that Sandown Bay Academy needs.
"I am, therefore, copying my letter today to the current minister for schools, Rt Hon Nick Gibb MP, the Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner, and the regional schools commissioner, Dominic Herrington.
"The time for talking about this problem and sweeping it under the carpet is over. It’s time the minister took action."
Cllr Bob Blezzard, ward councillor for Sandown North, said: "The best available option would be to remove the academy from AET control and place it with a more enlightened company."