A SUCCESSFUL Cradley Heath primary school's decision to join a national chain of academies has resulted in a nightmare of administrative chaos and bully-boy tactics, the News can reveal.

Timbertree Primary School joined United Learning Trust in 2013 but, despite having a multi-million pound income, the charity has withdrawn nearly £20,000 from the school's budget.

Governors were also stunned to find the school was locked in a 125-year deal which means leaving ULT, which runs 36 schools, a near impossibility.

When school governors complained about the situation ULT threatened to replace the entire board with new governors of its own choosing.

Cradley Heath and Old Hill Councillor Ann Shackleton and chairman of governors at Timbertree blasted ULT.

She said: "I think the actions of United Learning are, in short, appalling.

"I know from first hand experience as chairman of governors that it's the dedication of teachers, support staff and the PTA that has made the school the success that it is."

She added: "The help and support we've received from ULT has been virtually zero, and to de-value our contribution and wrest control away - in the most arbitrary and insulting manner - from those whose sole interest is in serving the local community is a disgrace, particularly given the impact it's had on staff morale."

Cllr Shackleton, an ex-headteacher, is determined to fight ULT, saying: "Whatever happens next, I'm proud to have been a part of the Timbertree community.

"I firmly believe that the school has changed young lives for the better, and to have had the opportunity to be part of that is a privilege I'll be thankful for for the rest of my life."

When Timbertree and Corngreaves Primary Schools, which were then joined in a confederation, joined ULT in 2013 the deal was lauded as revolutionary as they were the first primaries in Sandwell to leave the local authority.

A ULT spokesman said at the time: "We look forward to learning from them as well as sharing our own expertise and resources."

The trust was formed in 2002 as a subsidiary of the United Church Schools Trust which first opened an independent school in 1883.

A spokesperson for United Learning said: “United Learning delegates 97 per cent of the money it receives for Timbertree Academy directly to the school – which is well above the average for academy groups and local authorities. The small amount of centrally retained money is used by the charity to fund the finance, HR, technology, data and education support services the school needs. “The site is on a 125 year lease from the local authority which is a standard part of a school becoming an academy."

She added: “We continue to be pleased and proud of the progress that Timbertree Academy is making and the way it serves its community."