Meeting called over rowdy pupils

An emergency meeting about student discipline in a new academy in Carlisle has been called by a council leader.

Councillor Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria council, will meet with the sponsors of Richard Rose Central Academy after complaints from parents.

The academy formed in September 2008 when St Aidan's High School and North Cumbria Technology College merged.

Sponsors, Brian Scowcroft and Andrew Tinkler, have not publicly commented on the issues.

'Discipline fears'

The academy is not council run, but Mr Young said he was concerned about pupils' "academic prospects".

He said: "I have been contacted by a number of local councillors and parents of pupils of the Richard Rose Central Academy about their fears about discipline and the impact this has on the learning environment.

"I am concerned about what I have been told, and I fully understand the worries that they have expressed.

"I will be discussing with the sponsors whether there is any support the county council can make available to support the academy and its pupils."