Parents’ anger over school academy vote

PARENTS at a failing primary school say they are shocked governors voted for it to become an academy behind their backs.
Globe Primary School, LancingGlobe Primary School, Lancing
Globe Primary School, Lancing

Pupils and parents gathered at the gates of The Globe Primary School in Irene Avenue, Lancing, on Thursday, demanding to be consulted on the future of the school, which has been in special measures since March.

But their voices went unheard and a sponsor, REAch2 Academy Trust, was chosen as the preferred option to lead the school forwards.

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There will be a meeting with parents, governors and REAch2 on June 5, after half term.

“We’re really rather confused as to how this has happened so quickly and behind our backs,” said parent and campaigner Serena Cheung.

“They have already made the decision and they are still denying us balance.

“They are denying us the truth, they are denying us a voice.”

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Serena and other members of the ‘Save The Globe Primary School’ campaign are calling for the upcoming meeting to be held in public, with a proper debate followed by a ballot.

Parents need to find their voices, the governors are wrong to exclude us,” she said.

Campaigners say the Local Education Authority was supporting the school’s action plan after a positive follow-up visit by Ofsted on April 24.

But then just ten days later, they were told that by May 23, governors would have decided whether or not to pursue academy status.

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“We had no idea becoming an academy was even being considered until this point,” said Serena, adding that many parents were unaware of what was happening until the governors had already made their decision.

“When something is wrong, especially when it involves our children, we speak out,” she said.

“If we are ignored we speak louder. Standing together we are louder still, and we won’t stop until we are heard.”

Chairman of governors Mark Norris said nothing had been signed yet.

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Defending the decision, he said it was likely a ‘no’ vote would have led to the board being replaced by an interim body with instructions to convert to academy status.

He said that by voting yes, governors had ensured they could choose the sponsor.

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