A TROUBLED free school has declared how it intends to improve.

Durham Free School was recently hit with a Financial Notice to Improve from the Education Funding Agency (EFA).

It says its headteacher, Peter Cantley, has left and will not return, although Mr Cantley has made it clear he intends to fight to resume his work.

The school has now submitted a recovery plan to the EFA, is looking for new governors and is taking expert advice on governance arrangements.

Trustees have pledged to: notify the Department for Education of any changes in governance; record all discussions at governors’ meetings, not only decisions; establish an audit and finance committee; and ensure “clear records of competitive tendering for all bought-in services”.

John Denning, the chair of governors, stressed the school, temporarily based in Gilesgate, Durham City, while a permanent site is found, was financially sound.

“The trust welcomes the opportunity to work with the EFA to strengthen its governance and finance arrangements.

“A number of actions have already been taken and incorporated into the plan as part of the school’s continuing drive for improvement under our acting headteacher,” he said.

The school opened in September 2013 but has been dogged by criticism of its costs.