AN investigation into an acadmey trust that took thousands of pounds to turn around a Tyne Valley high school before walking away has been dropped.

Education site Schools Week has revealed that fraud officers at the City of London police have dropped an investigation into Bright Tribe, the scandal-hit academy trust that pulled out from running Haydon Bridge High School.

A City of London police spokesman told Education Week there was "insufficient evidence to support a criminal investigation." 

The Cheshire-based multi-academy trust lined up to become main sponsor of the school in 2015, but pulled out in 2017, claiming the school wasn't financially viable.

A multi-million pound project from Northumberland County Council to refurbish the school has just been completed.

The council's former cabinet member for education, Coun. Wayne Daley, reacted to the news on Twitter.

Coun. Daley wrote: "Bright Tribe got around £600k to turn around Haydon Bridge High then walked away from it.

"I am proud under my leadership with the county council, the school was saved, had over £5m invested and is prospering under local control. We want our money back!"

Read more in next week's Hexham Courant.