UNIONS have added their weight to condemnation of a Wirral's school impending closure, saying it will devastate the community.

News that Kingsway Academy in Leasowe will shut its doors in August next year, for failing to attract sufficient pupil numbers and meet Private Finance Initiative costs, was announced by the Department for Education on Monday.

The way the matter has been handled by its operators, Northern Schools Trust, had drawn a scathing response from local politicians, including MP Angela Eagle and cabinet member Bernie Mooney, who described it as "shocking" and "appalling."

The academy - formerly Wallasey School - opened in February 2015 with a capacity of 1,500 but last year there were just 260 pupils on the register.

Wirral Council is now working with families to take them through the process and place pupils into alternative schools.

In a joint statement this afternoon, teaching unions the ATL, NASUWT, NUT and Unison condemned the lack of notice and lack of consultation over its closure.

They added that the academy trust had shown little regard for students, staff, parents and the community and pledged to do all they could to help those affected.

Anne Rycroft, secretary of Wirral NASUWT said: "The closure of the Kingsway Academy will be devastating to all members the school community.

"NASUWT is committed to supporting our members during this difficult time and hope that the Trust and local authority work quickly to lessen the impact on pupils' education."

Ian Harris, Wirral NUT secretary, said: "I was deeply saddened to hear of the closure Kingsway Academy.

"The closure will have a huge impact on children, staff and the community and I am committed to supporting the local authority as it attempts to ease the transition of pupils to other schools.

"I hope that the trust and local authority will work with the unions to reduce the stress and disruption the closure will cause.

"This situation shows the devastating impact the academy system can have on pupils' education.

"We need a properly funded and regulated education system that supports and nurtures children allowing them to become successful individuals."

Jeff Bevan, district secretary of Wirral ATL, said: "Money that should have been spent on the pupils for their ‘one chance in education; was spent on parachuting a chief executive officer and senior staff into The Kingsway Academy and paying the legal fees for converting the school into an academy.

"The Northern Schools Trust now just walks away from their failure and leaves others to pick up the pieces and find places for the 400 pupils at short notice.

"ATL will do their utmost to support pupils and staff through this difficult period and endeavour to help find suitable educational outcomes for those effected by this unaccountable system."

Paddy Cleary, branch secretary of Wirral Unison, said: "The closure of The Kingsway Academy further evidences the crisis facing our schools with the constant drive by this government to academies.

"The local community will be devastated by this situation.

"The effect on the children and their families will be severe.

"The timing is shocking.

"UNISON along with other trade unions have pressed this school for answers and assurances about finances since it removed a whole sixth form provision a few years ago.

"UNISON will work with the local authority for the benefit of our members affected, to help with concerns raised by families and the local community.

"We should all be united in the need for fully funded schooling provision for all."

Northern Schools Trust's chief executive Nigel Ward said yesterday: "While we are disappointed to have reached this situation due to continued falling pupil numbers we are very grateful to the Department for Education and local authority for their support to keep the Kingsway Academy open until the end of the next academic year.

"This is a very good alternative and allows for a much more coordinated and planned approach to securing alternative school places for our children either locally or within the schools of the Northern Schools Trust.

"All parties are working together in the best interests of our families and their children."