Parents hit out over academy conversion for primary

PARENTS AT a primary school have hit out over a Government policy that will to force it to leave council control and become an academy following its recent “inadequate” Ofsted rating.

Leadership and early years provision were branded inadequate at Calverley Parkside Primary School in Leeds following an inspection in December.

As a result, the Regional Schools Commissioner Vicky Beer has issued an order which will see the school taken over by a sponsor and converted into an academy.

However, parents believe the school, which received its Ofsted report last month, should be given more time to turn itself around and improve before it is taken over.

One parent, who did not wish to be named, said: “The school says it is bound by an academy order and has to facilitate it, even though they realise parents don’t want it and have been active in trying to stop it.

“How can this happen with just one inadequate Ofsted report?”

The parent said there were fears over potential job cuts for staff, as well as the loss of the school’s identity, and believed the issues outlined in the Ofsted report could be addressed, adding: “It just feels unnecessary.”

Acting headteacher Kerry Wright said the school was focused on continuing on its journey to improving standards.

She said: “We understand parents are anxious about the school’s future and are grateful for the support shown by them and the community. Our aim is to work together in partnership so all stakeholders are completely focused upon working effectively to ensure rapid school improvement.”

Andrew Eastwood, the chief officer for learning improvement at Leeds City Council, added: “Following support from the council’s school improvement team, we are as disappointed as parents that Calverley Parkside had not managed to drive up their standards sufficiently to satisfy Ofsted.”

He said the academy order was a legally binding government policy that the council had no option but to progress.