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An official notice to close Intake High and South Leeds High have been published by Education Leeds.

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Both schools are scheduled to shut their doors on August 31 next year. The buildings would then immediately re-open as academies, which are state-funded independent schools.

The proposals have caused much controversy, particularly at South Leeds High, where staff and students drew up their own petitions against the move. Campaign group Leeds Schools Together, made up of community associations and unions, also opposed the proposals and held a series of public meetings.

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Patrick Murphy, secretary of the Leeds branch of the National Union of Teachers, which is against the principle of academies nationally, said the consultation process carried out by Education Leeds in September and October had been a farce.

"It's outrageous that despite the weight of opposition against the South Leeds academy, Education Leeds have just ignored it," he said. "We still have very real concerns about both the planned academies."

In particular, he said, the NUT was worried that Intake academy sponsor Edutrust was currently under investigation by the Government over allegations concerning finance and governance.

South Leeds High is scheduled to become an academy run by an education trust including Leeds' highest-acheving state school, Garforth Community College. But Mr Murphy said the Beeston school had only recently come to terms with its formation four years ago by the merger of two troubled secondary schools.

"The school started from a very low base," he said. "On a number of occasions there were riots. During the recent consultation, it was clear that the parents now hold the school in high regard and had great things to say about head teacher Colin Bell and his staff. What the school needs now is stability, not further disruption."


Chris Edwards, chief executive of Education Leeds, said: "Although a final decision is yet to be taken on the future of either school, Education Leeds' and Leeds City Council's preferred option to achieve rapid and sustainable improvements is for both to become an academy – a decision which is supported by both schools' leadership teams. We feel this will greatly improve education provision in both areas of the city which will see better outcomes for children, young people and the local communities. The consultations so far have been very important and have raised valuable points for both schools."