MOVES to force an 'inadequate' secondary school to become an academy have been described as 'draconian'.

Marsden Heights Community College in Nelson was given the lowest-possible rating by Ofsted in January and placed into special measures.

Inspectors warned it was failing to give students an acceptable standard of education.

It is understood the Department for Education is now working with the school to find a sponsor so it can be an academy.

The government announced two-years-ago that all 'inadequate' schools would be converted into academies, which are state-funded and run independently of council control.

The plans have been slammed by the leader of Pendle Council and union chiefs who said the school's new headteacher, who started a month after the inspection in December, should be given time to address the issues raised.

However headteacher Alyson Littlewood said: "Becoming a sponsored academy will allow us to extend our partnerships by working with other schools and teams.

"Undoubtedly, this will bring different opportunities for our staff and our students, and we look forward to sharing the fantastic experiences that we have here on offer at Marsden Heights with our academy partner."

But Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, borough council leader, said it was a 'draconian measure' by the government.

He said: "I'm not in favour of academies. I think the headteacher should be given an opportunity to address some of the concerns raised by the inspection with the primary focus being on the teaching of children.

"It has been proven that academies are not the solution to everything."

Cllr Naeem Hussain Ashraf, whose ward covers the school, said the school should be given 12 to 18 months to implement the recommendations made by Ofsted.

However Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson pointed to the success of nearby Pendle Primary Academy which went from an 'inadequate' to 'good' rating with outstanding features after making the transition.

He said: "We have seen in one of the closest schools to Marsden Heights, what was Walter Street Primary School, that they made significant improvements after becoming an academy and being sponsored by the outstanding Nelson and Colne College.

"Therefore I feel that becoming an academy is something that could also have strong benefits for Marsden Heights and I welcome the school governors and leadership team investigating all possible sponsors.

"There is significant evidence across the UK that this model helps turn schools around."

The school, when under the headship of Ian Adlington, was heavily criticised for effectiveness of leadership, quality of teaching and outcomes for pupils, and that the students' personal development, behaviour and welfare required improvement.

Inspectors said leaders had overseen years of low achievement and allowed a large proportion of pupils to leave the school having made inadequate progress.

The majority of schools in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale are still under council control with only four secondary schools, Colne Primet, West Craven High School, Coal Clough Academy and Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, making the transition. Shuttleworth College in Padiham is set to convert later this year.

Sam Ud-din, Lancashire division secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said it may take time to find a suitable sponsor.

He said: "Becoming an academy is no solution to any kind of difficulty in a school.

"Good local support is what is needed and Lancashire is brilliant at local support.

"The idea it will solve any of its problems overnight or in a year, or five years compared to the amount of support it will get from the council is nonsense.

"The school has been told it has to become an academy but whether it can find a suitable sponsor is another question and how long it will take can be very vague."

Cllr Matthew Tomlinson, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for children, young people and schools, said: "All pupils deserve an excellent education, and helping schools to deliver that is our prime concern, regardless of whether they are maintained schools or academies."