THE chairman of governors of two Kidderminster schools slated as having "serious weaknesses" have slammed the Government for releasing "outdated information".

Lea Street First and Franche Middle schools appeared on a Department for Education and Skills list of schools with "serious weaknesses" released earlier this week.

But David Wase, chairman of governors at Lea Street, said he feared lasting damage would be caused by the widely publicised threat to introduce private management.

He claimed Lea Street was included on the strength of a previous Ofsted report.

"Lea Street has just had an Ofsted report that is about to be published. It says there has been a remarkable transformation and praises the headteacher and the governors.

"Estelle Morris, the Secretary of State for Education, issued a statement with outdated information. The previous Ofsted report is long since out of date. I am absolutely appalled."

He added: "This is extremely damaging. If the government wants to name and shame I don't have any problem with that.

"But it should get its facts right first. It's damaging a brilliant school that's been turned round by a first rate head.

"This school is one of the best run and happiest in the area and provides an excellent education but some mud sticks."

And chairman of governors at Franche Middle School, Phil Green, echoed Mr Wase's comments. He said: "The DFES appears to have no knowledge of the current situation at the two schools named on the list.

"At a time when France Middle School is making very good progress following the appointment of a new headteacher and a recent Ofsted inspection, the ill-founded comments are very damaging."

A spokesman for the DFES confirmed Estelle Morris had spoken at a conference earlier this week but said: "Estelle Morris has been reported as saying x y and z when she didn't. There are a lot of stories flying about that are untrue."

He added: "The list of schools with "serious weaknesses" is the latest list we've got - December 2001 - and everything there is true."