Woodard Academies Trust removes Littlehampton Academy governors ‘without explanation’

THE Littlehampton Academy has been plunged into fresh controversy after the trust that runs the school removed its advisory body ‘without explanation’.

By The Newsroom

Published 16th Jan 2014, 10:03 BST

The entrance to The Littlehampton Academy's new main block.

The now former councillors at the academy have been left in confusion after they were sent an email on Friday, January 10, by the Woodard Academies Trust (WAT) telling them they had been dismissed.

The councillors, who act in place of governors, say they have not been told why they were removed and are critical of the decision.

The announcement comes days after WAT confirmed Steve Jewell had resigned his role as principal of the school with effect from December 31.

The first chairman of the governors at the school, Graham Toole-Mackson, has since resigned from his position as a trustee of the Woodard Academies Trust over the recent events and said he was ‘saddened’ at the treatment of the councillors.

For the full story and further reaction, read this week’s Littlehampton Gazette, out today, Thursday, January 16.