THE search for a solution to the Darlington school formerly known as Eastbourne Comprehensive has been long, tortuous and expensive.

Changes of head teacher, the launch of a “federation” with Hurworth Comprehensive, and then an attempt to break with the past by building a new academy school with the fresh name of St Aidan’s, have all been part of the equation.

But with the re-branding exercise well and truly over, and all that money spent, Ofsted has now declared that St Aidan’s is “inadequate”.

Indeed, it is a school going backwards, with inspectors concluding that teaching and achievement have declined since 2013.

Darlington’s MP Jenny Chapman has acted decisively in calling an emergency meeting next Thursday in the light of the damning Ofsted report. She is right when she says “Enough is enough”.

It is true that St Aidan's serves one of the more deprived areas of the town, but the Darlington School of Mathematics and Science - formerly Branksome - has managed to change direction in difficult circumstances.

Millions of pounds can be spent on a shiny new building, with state of the art facilities, but people are the most important ingredient when it comes to education.

The time has come to face up to some tough questions: Has this school run out of chances? If so, what is the best alternative way to provide 597 pupils with a decent education? And, if those pupils are sent elsewhere, what is the best use for an empty building that cost £16m?