School staff shocked over calls for closure
Thursday, 12th April 2001.
PARENTS have called for a special measures school to be closed.
However, staff and governors at Castle Hill Middle School, Haverhill, have rejected the closure call and said other parents had phoned the school offering their support.
Castle Hill Middle School has been on special measures for almost two years but, following favourable reports by inspectors, it is hoped these will be lifted by the autumn.
However, some parents who were due to have held a public meeting, last night, said things had got worse and claimed bad behaviour and violence has not been dealt with.
Parent Sharon Gooch said before the meeting: "They're not going to get it out of special measures and you are not going to get the best for the children unless you shut this school and reopen it with a new head and new teachers.
"My children are so miserable I have tried endless times to get them out. Both my children went to St Felix School, without any problems, where my son was in all the top sets. Now he has dropped to the bottom. My son has come home with a black eye and my daughter is a changed little girl."
Tom Sherb, chief area education officer, said "OFSTED inspectors in their visits to the school say things are getting much better, that attainment of pupils has improved and that behaviour management is stronger. The school is operating more efficiently than before and is improving," he said.
He added Castle Hill was suffering from the same difficulty in recruiting staff as schools around the country and did not believe the turnover of teachers had been higher than normal.
A statement issued by the school said governors and staff were insensed at suggestions it was closing. It added the school had been inundated with phone calls and visits from parents offering their support for the school.
Headteacher, Lyn Austin was brought in tow years ago after the resignation of Jean Waite. She is to leave in July but will continue in a consultative role. Sally Holmes, who is already working at Castle Hill, was last week, appointed as the
However, staff and governors at Castle Hill Middle School, Haverhill, have rejected the closure call and said other parents had phoned the school offering their support.
Castle Hill Middle School has been on special measures for almost two years but, following favourable reports by inspectors, it is hoped these will be lifted by the autumn.
However, some parents who were due to have held a public meeting, last night, said things had got worse and claimed bad behaviour and violence has not been dealt with.
Parent Sharon Gooch said before the meeting: "They're not going to get it out of special measures and you are not going to get the best for the children unless you shut this school and reopen it with a new head and new teachers.
"My children are so miserable I have tried endless times to get them out. Both my children went to St Felix School, without any problems, where my son was in all the top sets. Now he has dropped to the bottom. My son has come home with a black eye and my daughter is a changed little girl."
Tom Sherb, chief area education officer, said "OFSTED inspectors in their visits to the school say things are getting much better, that attainment of pupils has improved and that behaviour management is stronger. The school is operating more efficiently than before and is improving," he said.
He added Castle Hill was suffering from the same difficulty in recruiting staff as schools around the country and did not believe the turnover of teachers had been higher than normal.
A statement issued by the school said governors and staff were insensed at suggestions it was closing. It added the school had been inundated with phone calls and visits from parents offering their support for the school.
Headteacher, Lyn Austin was brought in tow years ago after the resignation of Jean Waite. She is to leave in July but will continue in a consultative role. Sally Holmes, who is already working at Castle Hill, was last week, appointed as the
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