An academy trust has withdrawn from sponsoring a school due to the site being “unsuitable to deliver its vision”.

Sue Marooney, head teacher of Durrington High School in Worthing, wrote to parents yesterday on behalf of the Durrington Multi Academy Trust to express the 'regrettable decision'.

She said: “As a responsible trust with a clear educational vision we have carefully looked at the proposal in Worthing to deliver a new secondary school.

“We have thoroughly investigated and considered all aspects and options and our concerns about the site being unsuitable to deliver our vision remain.

“This regrettably leaves us with no option but to withdraw from sponsoring the new secondary academy in Worthing.”

West Sussex County Council has said it is 'disappointed' after hearing that the Durrington Multi Academy Trust has withdrawn from sponsoring the new secondary academy in Worthing.

Jeremy Hunt, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for education and skills, said: “We are disappointed at the news but are fully committed to this new school opening and are confident that the Department for Education will be able to find another excellent sponsor.

“We are grateful that this decision has been made promptly to allow a new sponsor as much time as possible to engage with parents and plan a successful school for the future.”

The Department for Education can now proceed to identify a new sponsor for the school which is due to open in September 2015.

The county council and the Department for Education have both confirmed that the new school is achievable within the allocated budget on the identified site, which is land currently owned by Northbrook College in Broadwater.

The budget of £12.4 million, which has been calculated by central government, needs to be spent by September 2015.