TRUSTEES of De La Salle have blocked an order from the Department for Education seeking to convert the school into an academy.


The Eccleston school received the order this year following a change in legislation stating that education secretaries must seek academy conversion for schools rated inadequate by Ofsted.

However, the school’s trustees must give consent for it to convert into an academy.


De La Salle trustees have blocked the academy order issued by the Schools Commissioner for Lancashire and West Yorkshire, the Star understands.


A St Helens Council spokesperson said: “For a school to become an academy, permission needs to be granted by the school’s trustees.

"In this case, the trustees have not consented to academisation. De La Salle is expected to receive its final Section 5 inspection later this term and the council will offer its support by working closely with the school to help ensure that the outcome is a positive one.”