never taken up by Woodard Schools, who opted for the name 'The Littlehampton Academy'. The feasibility study saw much opposition to the academy proposals becoming evident, with the National Union of Teachers (NUT) openly opposing the plans, stating that they were "not impressed" by Woodard's lack of detailed discussions on the proposals, and the number of issues which they claim the school's senior management team refuses to address. The main consultation event was held on 13 March 2008, and was open to parents, staff, students and wider members of the community, who could put questions to a panel that included the headteacher, chairman of the school governors, a West Sussex County Council representative, head of the consultation process and representatives from the Woodard Trust. One of the main concerns raised at the event was the possibility of the Academy becoming a faith-designated establishment, a suggestion widely denied by Woodard. The results of this consultation were largely negative, a reaction that 'surprised' the school. Feedback from the evening showed that seven staff were in favour of academy plans with fifty against, whilst 36 parents said they supported the move, compared to 141 who opposed it. Despite opposition to the proposal, the Department for Children, Schools and Families approved the plans for an academy in September 2008, with West Sussex County Council saying they were "confident the academies will enhance educational opportunities". Parents' fears of major changes intensified shortly afterwards when the headteacher, Jayne Wilson, announced she would be leaving the school when LCS closed, with Woodard Schools subsequently announcing that Steve Jewell would become the Academy's principal. The appointment of Jewell led to renewed speculation that the Academy would be a faith designated school, something that Woodard had constantly denied. However, the publication of the academy's prospectus confirmed that the new establishment would indeed be a "Christian designated academy". The prospectus also confirmed the school would continue in its specialism of Business and Enterprise, whilst also becoming a specialist school in English. The approval meant the school would closed at the end of the 2008/09 academic year, ceasing to exist fully on 31 August 2009. Academy – September 2009 to present The Littlehampton Academy opened on the same site, using the same buildings, on 1 September 2009. New build Plans were submitted to West Sussex County Council in August 2010 for the demolition of most of the existing buildings, to be