Opposition is mounting to take a West Leeds primary school out of council control and become an academy.
Some parents at Calverley Parkside School are concerned that a critical Ofsted report will result in the school being taken over by a sponsor and taken away from council control.
The report said the school was inadequate and highlighting failings at early years level and with leadership. The quality of teaching, personal development/behaviour and pupils’ outcomes were also highlighted for improvement by the report.
The school had been branded as ‘good’ by Ofsted in its previous inspection in 2012.
But in a letter to The Dispatch from two parents, who asked not to be named, they said the school should be given more time to improve. They said:
“We are shocked and stunned, as are most people in the village. This shouldn’t be happening after just one bad Ofsted inspection, the school needs to be given more time. It’s always been a ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ school according to Ofsted.
“The teachers and all the staff have the support of most of us to turn this around – why are they not being given the chance they deserve? This school has a special place in the village, it all seems so hasty.”
A council statement said the academy order issued by the Regional Schools Commissioner was a legally binding policy that the council had no option but to implement.
Same is happening to Bramley Primary School, of course it can’t be anything to do with the Lead Ofsted Inspector being on the board of an Academy Trust