A failing Black Country secondary school’s governing board is set to be dismissed at the request of the Secretary of State, it was revealed today.

Moseley Park Secondary School and Technology College in Bilston is in special measures after Ofsted inspectors rated it as “inadequate”.

Education secretary Michael Gove has now intervened with plans to replace the entire governing board with a new body that would take over responsibility for its budget, curriculum and staffing.

It has also been suggested that the school could become an academy.

Mr Gove has written to the school with a proposal to use his intervention powers to dismiss the governing body and replace it with an interim executive board.

The school’s governing body and the city council have both responded to Mr Gove and are awaiting a reply from the Department for Education.

Councillor Phil Page, cabinet member for schools in Wolverhampton, said today: “If appointed, the interim executive board would be asked to review the best option for the school’s future and be especially mindful of the opportunity to convert the school into an academy.

“If this route was to be pursued a sponsor would have to be appointed.

“Wolverhampton City Council continues to work with the school and its governing body to support further improvements while awaiting a decision from the Secretary of State on the future of the school.”

Schools are ultimately responsible for their own performance. However, the law provides for local authorities and the Secretary of State to intervene in schools that are causing concern.

Inspectors who visited Moseley Park School and Technology College in October ruled that the school, which caters for youngsters aged 11-18, was “failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education”.

Inspector David Anstead did praise the school in Holland Road, by stating students were “well cared for and feel safe”.

Headteacher Mrs Lorraine McCarthy said: “At the moment we are waiting for something definite.

“However it is very unsettling for staff as we await the news.”