In October 2016 our local secondary school, The Barclay School, was judged inadequate and placed in special measures so therefore subject to an academy order by the Department for Education. An academy sponsor has been chosen for the school but without any decision making given to the parents whose children’s education and future are affected by the decision.

The current head teacher and senior leadership team were appointed in March 2017 to lead the school, raise standards and take the school to an Ofsted rating of good and ultimately outstanding.

In the 20 months since their appointment the school has seen continuous improvement. Within 6 months of the appointment Ofsted stated that leaders were taking action to remove the school from special measures. Exam results have improved. Pupils are happy and enjoy learning with enthusiastic teachers. In April Ofsted judged the school as no longer being in special measures and commented on the “determined senior leadership making a positive difference to the quality of education.”

As parents and members of the local community we believe that the academy order should be lifted and the academisation process halted with immediate effect. This is to allow the good progress that has been achieved by the head, the senior leadership team and staff in turning the school around in a short amount of time to continue without distraction.

We are critically concerned that any change to the current direction of the leadership team and staff would be detrimental to our children’s education and their future

Please help us keep our school with the local authority by signing the petition.

Thank you.