CLASS ACTION
Police called after school gates stand off
POLICE were called to a school after mums and dads marched on it following the exclusion of up to 40 pupils in a bitter row.
Officers confirmed they attended Blyth Academy after receiving reports that parents were voicing complaints.
A school spokesman, said: “We do not apologise for having high standards and high expectations.”
POLICE were called to a school after around 40 pupils were said to have been excluded for poor behaviour and uniform breaches.
Mums and dads went to confront staff at Blyth Academy in Blyth on Thursday after their children had been sent home the previous day for breaching the school’s uniform policy.
One parent claimed some pupils were reduced to tears after being “screamed and shouted” at by teachers before being told to leave.
But the Northern Education Trust, which runs the school, said it would not apologise for having high standards, which are important to improve the provision for its pupils.
However, dad Barry Baker, from Blyth, refused to send his 15-year-old daughter, Brylee Long, to school on Thursday following the row.
The 47-year-old said: “It is absolutely appalling. Kids were coming out crying and they did not want to go to school. Kids are kids and some won’t wear the right uniform. It is a massive shambles that they’ve turned the school into an army camp.”
One pupil posted online that he was left “shocked” after the youngsters were warned over their conduct during an assembly.
“Each year group was given a separate assembly and in it, students were shouted at to the point of screaming,” they claimed.”
Northumbria Police said officers were called to the school at around 10am on Thursday following reports of a group of parents voicing complaints.
The trust said a letter was sent to all parents before the summer holidays which set out the school’s expectations.
A trust spokesman said: “Expectations of student conduct and appearance were reinforced to students during the school day on Wednesday in a series of assemblies.
“Attainment in 2017 was inadequate with only 32% of the students passing both English and maths. Given the starting points of our children we would expect well in excess of 60% to do so.
“A significant barrier to learning is the low-level disruption in lessons and around the academy, which are blighting the educational experience of too many of our children who deserve better. We are committed to putting new systems into place with much higher expectations that will dramatically improve the provision for our children at Blyth Academy.
“We do not apologise for having high standards or high expectations. Conversations about uniform, jewellery, make-up and mobile phones are a distraction. I n outstanding schools, most conversations are about learning. We are determined to provide all of our children with an outstanding education thereby ensuring they maximise their potential and have the very best life chances.”