MP’s plea to save school plunged into ‘crisis’
WEST Lancashire’s MP has raised concerns about a “crisis” at a primary school.
Rosie Cooper said that she had been contacted by worried parents who have concerns about Mossy Lea primary school, in Mossy Lea Road, Wrightington.
She said they were concerned that “the school is in serious decline and may have a pupil roll of just six come September”.
The parents alleged that there were no teachers at school, because of staff sickness, and that the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) was advising members against applying for positions at the school.
It was also said that two teachers recently left the school on the same day with immediate effect, based on union advice.
Children were sent home because of the upset caused and parents have also claimed that they have not been kept fully informed of governors leaving the school.
Ms Cooper contacted Lancashire County Council to seek an urgent update on the situation at the school.
She said she was told that two governors had resigned, resulting in the NAHT lifting any “ban” on members working at the school.
A seconded deputy, Iain Pearson, has returned to school and Dave Fann, who has experience as a head at a school in Preston, is also a national leader of education and is a serving Ofsted inspector, is working two days a week as executive head.
Andy Purcell, head teacher at a primary school in Chorley, has offered to serve as chair of governors and bring two others with him to further strengthen the governing body.
Mossy Lea will also now have immediate access to support in training for all staff through the Teaching School Alliance and continue to receive support from local authority advisers and consultants.
Ms Cooper was also assured that a newsletter had been sent to parents informing them of the latest developments.
An Ofsted report in January 2017 rated the overall effectiveness of the school as “Requires Improvement”, down from “Good” on a previous inspection. The school was rated as “Requires Improvement” in four out of five areas.
County Councillor Susie Charles, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, said: “I am aware that the school has experienced a difficult period of late.
“I’d like to reassure everyone that the county council is fully committed to supporting the school and making sure that pupils receive the best education possible.
“An experienced headteacher has been seconded from an outstanding school to work with Mossy Lea, and additional governors are now in place to support the leadership and management of the school.”
Ms Cooper has also taken the issue up with the Education Secretary, Ofsted chair and NAHT president.
She added: “A situation where a school is shedding teachers, shedding governors and shedding pupils cannot be allowed to drift and must have an immediate recovery plan implemented.
“Many parents at the school have contacted me, distressed at the ongoing situation and being left in the dark for so long about just what was happening at Mossy Lea Primary School.
“Having met with Lancashire County Council’s executive director of education and children’s services, John Readman, and chief executive Angie Ridgwell recently, it was agreed that serious action was needed in schools across West Lancashire, from the special educational needs and disability provision, to Burscough Priory and now including Mossy Lea Primary.
“Lancashire County Council, as the local education authority, have assured me that a range of immediate actions is being taken to halt the current decline, with a radical overhaul of the governing body and experienced governors coming on board, and access to enhanced training and support from LCC and the Teaching School Alliance.
“However, these measures will only go some way to stop the current decline and start to give confidence back to parents that the school is moving in the right direction, what we need to see now is a sustained period of positive action and rebuilding so that parents can have faith in the school again.
“I will again be meeting with John Readman later this month to discuss the issues and the progress made.”
If you are a parent of a pupil at the school or have been affected, email Advertiser reporter Chantelle Heeds at chantelle. heeds@reachplc.com.