Parents hit out at Leeds primary academy plan

Leadership and early years provision were branded inadequate at Calverley Parkside following a December inspection.

As a result the Regional Schools Commissioner has issued an academy order, which will see the school taken over by a sponsor and converted.

However, parents believe the school, which received its Ofsted report last month, should be given more time to turn itself around and improve.

One parent, who does not wish to be named, said: “The school says it is bound by an academy order and has to facilitate it, even though they realise parents don’t want it and have been active in trying to stop it.

“How can this happen with just one inadequate report?”

The parent said there were fears over potential job cuts for staff, as well as the loss of the school’s identity and believed the issues outlined in the report could be easily addressed, adding: “It just feels unnecessary.”

Kerry Wright, acting headteacher, said the school was grateful for the support of parents and the community.

She said: “Our aim is to work together in partnership so all stakeholders are completely focused upon working effectively to ensure rapid improvement.”

Andrew Eastwood, chief officer for learning improvement at Leeds City Council, said: “Following support from the council’s school improvement team, we are as disappointed as parents that Calverley Parkside had not managed to drive up their standards sufficiently to satisfy Ofsted.”

He said the academy order was a legally binding policy that the council had no option but to progress.