THE new sponsor of a Christian-based school has pledged to remain committed to ensuring the school's religious ethos is maintained.

The Bright Tribe Trust was responding to the resignation of three founders of Grindon Hall Christian School, in Sunderland, over their fears that its faith ethos would not survive a takeover by the trust.

Two of the founders, Elizabeth Gray and John Burn, spoke out saying they had no option but to resign, as they were concerned that a secular sponsor would be left in the impossible position of trying to run a Christian school.

A spokesman for Bright Tribe Trust said: “Grindon Hall is designated as having a faith character and Bright Tribe Trust is committed to ensuring that the Christian ethos is maintained.”

A spokesman for the Department of Education said: “Our focus is ensuring every child has an excellent education which allows them to achieve their full potential.

“Thanks to our changes over 1.4 million more children are in good or outstanding schools compared to 2010.

“We have not been made aware directly of the intended resignations from the members of the trust and Bright Tribe Trust has made it clear that it is committed to maintain the Christian ethos of Grindon Hall.

“No child should spend a single day in a failing school and at its November 2014 inspection Ofsted judged Grindon Hall Christian School to be inadequate, highlighting amongst other things concerns about pupil behaviour and safeguarding.

“We are supporting Bright Tribe Trust to address Ofsted’s concerns and the Regional Schools Commissioner is committed to working with the trust to bring about improvements to the school.”