A date has been set for a High Court ruling on UCL’s controversial City Academy.

On November 5th, schools and families secretary Ed Balls and Camden Council will have to defend their decision for plans for a UCL-sponsored City Academy in Swiss Cottage.

The case is being made by local lawyers Leigh Day and Co on behalf of parents Juliet Prew and Deseline Djiayep.

The parent group believes information about UCL’s bid was not made public and UCL bullied Camden Councillors into supporting their bid to run the academy.

The parents are also claiming Balls and the council broke EU laws by not allowing that the contract for the city academy be open to tender.

Camden council is accused of ignoring proposals from parties interested in running the new school and Balls is accused of approving UCL to sponsor the academy “behind closed doors”.

Leigh Day and Co released a statement saying: “Our clients consider that the council has acted unlawfully because the consultation, which preceded the decision, did not involve competition and instead simply saw them appoint UCL to promote an academy, was flawed. There was an appearance of bias and predetermination on the part of members of the executive.”

Despite a hail-storm of criticism, UCL vice-provost Michael Worton continued to defend the college’s role in the city academy stating: “No local authority could offer the added value that we can to a school when you think about the hundreds of academic staff and students that we can mobilise. We will have a mentoring system where pupils work one-on-one with UCL students and staff. Staff will be able to take Masters courses in teaching part time at UCL.”

The National Union of Teachers have raised concerns that the new £35million building and links with a leading university will “cream off” the best pupils and teachers from nearby schools.

Professor Worton responded saying: “I reject that. I do not buy into this idea of not wanting a good school in an area because of its effect on others – that is a recipe for mediocrity.”