DEVASTATED parents and staff have just two weeks to save a failed flagship free school, it emerged today.

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan announced she was terminating funding for Durham Free School (DFS) yesterday (Monday, January 19), following the publication of a damning Ofsted report.

The school has until Tuesday, February 3, to change her mind – although the Department for Education insisted Ms Morgan’s “ultimate intention” was closure.

But last night it emerged that the Government could face a legal challenge mounted by furious parents who say their children have been sold down the river.

Following Monday’s shock announcement, about 40 parents and governors gathered at the school, in Gilesgate, Durham, for emergency talks and vowed to fight the closure by whatever means possible.

Chair of governors John Denning is taking advice from lawyers and claims Ms Morgan’s statement prejudged the outcome of the legal process.

Families believe their school has become a political football. They accused Ms Morgan of electioneering and challenged the minister to visit the school personally.

They voiced their support for acting headteacher Julian Eisner, who took over in October and was praised by Ofsted, and criticised his predecessor, Peter Cantley, who is fighting the school’s attempt to terminate his contract through an employment tribunal.

Parent governor Petrina Douglas, whose son Luke is in year eight, said: “It’s a fantastic school. We will do everything in our power to keep it open.”

Helen Huitson, mother of year eight pupil Rebecca, added: “The school must be given a chance to continue to improve.”

Jennifer Denning, a founding DFS parent whose daughter Naomi is in year eight, said: “She’s making brilliant progress.

“We’re determined to fight. We’re going to explore every possible avenue and we’re going to win. We’re not going to let the politicians let us down again.

“We fought so hard to get the school open and we’re not going to let it close down.”

DFS leaders are furious Ms Morgan delivered her statement to Parliament just minutes after Mr Denning was informed of the closure proposal in an email from the Regional Schools Commissioner.

Many learned of the news through the media or friends.

The school, which is free from local authority control and directly funded by and responsible to the Department for Education, opened in September 2013 – one of the very few of Michael Gove’s flagship free schools in the North-East.

Figures obtained by Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods revealed its first term cost the taxpayer £900,000, more than £25,000 per pupil, and the Labour MP is now pushing ministers to disclose the total cost of the project to the public purse.

Late last year, the school, which has 94 pupils aged 11 to 13, was rapped for its governance and financial arrangements.

Then, following an inspection in late November, Ofsted slated its leadership and management, teaching and pupil achievement and behaviour as inadequate, the worst rating possible, and placed the school into special measures.

But despite the schools watchdog saying Mr Eisner was developing a clearer vision for the school’s future, Ms Morgan said there was no imminent prospect of improvement.

To respond to the DFS Notice of Intention to Terminate Funding Agreement, email: rsc.north@education.gsi.gov.uk or call 01325-735-363 by Tuesday, February 3.