A CALL has been made for more local governors at Darwen Academy.

Coun Roy Davies, a former governor at its predecessor Moorland High, believes governors should live ‘within minutes’ of the Academy.

There are currently 12 members, headed by Academy sponsor Rod Alridge. Others include a representative of The Lowry in Salford, a member of the Aldridge Foundation in London, a professor from the University of Central Lancashire, and a member of the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship in Birmingham.

Coun Davies said: “I think you need to have local people with a feel for the school.

"If there was any kind of problem, they could be there within minutes.”

But the Academy has dismissed his claim insisting that 10 governors live within the North West area, including four in Blackburn and Darwen.

A spokesperson for DACA said: “The Academy welcomes parental involvement and in addition to the parent governor, the Academy has a thriving Parents Forum which meets throughout the year.”