MYSTERY surrounds the future of the European School in Culham after plans to turn it into Oxfordshire’s next academy collapsed.

The school is one of 14 across Europe which educate the children of European Union employees.

It also teaches children of staff working on the Joint European Torus nuclear fusion project at Culham.

The 835-pupil school could close in 2017, because the JET project is being wound down and EU funding for the school is to end as a result.

The Government’s Department for Education and Oxfordshire County Council had backed the school’s bid to become England’s first multi-lingual academy.

It would have allowed local children to study without paying hefty tuition fees and was set to open in September.

However, the Oxford Mail understands the scheme has collapsed, leaving the future of the school in the balance.

The academy sponsor Culham Languages and Sciences (Class) has failed to strike a deal with the European School’s board of governors.

A letter to parents from the academy sponsor said: “Having discussed the position with other directors of Class, I have concluded that the right thing is to decide now not to continue with the academy project.

“My concern is that continuing the negotiations with the Commission and the European schools system – with no guarantee of success – would prolong uncertainty about the future of the school which is, I know, causing understandable concern to pupils, families and teachers.”

He added: “I deeply regret having to reach this conclusion, as do the other members of the Class board. But I believe it is now the best way forward for the school.”

Mr Sharron was unavailable for comment.

Academy project manager Sandie Reed, of consultancy Mouchel, said she had been told not to speak to the press.

All inquiries were forwarded to the Department for Education, which also declined to comment last night.

Michael Waine, the county council cabinet member for schools improvement, said: “We’re disappointed that the European Academy will not be joining the Oxfordshire family of schools, with all that it would have offered.”

There are already three academies in Oxfordshire – two in Oxford and one in Banbury.