Parents defend Thurlby Primary School

Parents have defended a village school which was deemed to be inadequate by Ofsted inspectors.

Thurlby Primary School has received an academy order following the latest inspection which means it will be placed under the management of a schools trust.

Headteacher Graham Clegg has lodged a complaint against the ruling but admits the chance of having it overturned is slim.

He said: “We are overwhelmed by the unanimous support from the parents and community. Thurlby is a happy and caring school and every child is valued.

“The governors and I are continuing to challenge the outcome. The best outcome would be a re-inspection as soon as possible but unfortunately this seems unlikely as I’ve been informed that overturning a decision is extremely rare.”

The report is based on a two-day visit which took place in September. It says the quality of teaching is no longer consistent, progress isn’t tracked effectively, the leadership is inadequate and governors do not challenge decisions.

The inspector did praise safeguarding practices and the personal development of pupils.

Since publishing the Ofsted report last week, the Mercury has received letters from parents rushing to its defence and comments made online also praise the village school.

Parent Rebecca Keogh has a child in Year Six. She said: “I was horrified to read the full report as it is not a picture I recognise at all.

“It is a wonderful loving school which teaches children to be respectful and caring towards each other, their teachers and parents. It is a lovely old fashioned school where the children enjoy work and play and I have no hesitation in endorsing Mr Clegg as a wonderful head.”

Grandparent Mary Trumble added: “ My grandchildren are thriving both academically and in their personal development, being given knowledge, encouragement and confidence as they develop.

“The headteacher knows all the children by name and character, which is a great asset to the school.”

Lisa Kemp has a child in Year One and another in Year Four and said the school had provided additional support for her children, saying they had “worked wonders”.

She described Mr Clegg as a “wonderful headteacher” but added he was due to retire this year and called on “fresh blood to take the school forward”.

She added: “The only fair outcome would be for a re-inspection to be completed, once we have a new headteacher in place to steer the ship.”

She described the Ofsted report as an “unfair assessment of the school”, saying “to call it inadequate is ridiculous”.

The Department for Education has a legal duty to make an academy order when a school is rated as inadequate.

A spokesman said: “This local authority school has been judged to be failing by Ofsted. Many inadequate maintained schools have been turned around after becoming sponsored academies, with more than half a million children studying in sponsored primary and secondary academies that are now rated good or outstanding.

“The most important thing now is for the whole school community to work with the headteacher and governing body to bring about the improvements required at Thurlby Primary
School.”

The regional schools commissioner, John Edwards, will choose an academy sponsor trust for the school. It is not yet known which school that will
be.