MP backs parents’ campaign against primary school cuts

LOCAL MP Michelle Donelan has backed the concerns of parents at a Broughton Gifford primary school over cuts made to the school’s staffing and class structure.

Parents of pupils at St Mary’s Primary School are campaigning against a decision made by the White Horse Federation – the multi-academy trust that manages eight of Melksham’s schools – to make the current headteacher redundant, replacing the role with a headteacher that will oversee three local primary schools, including St Mary’s.

Parents are also upset about a decision to reduce the number of classes at St Mary’s from four to three, leaving them worried that teachers will be overstretched, having to teach pupils from multiple year groups in one class.

In support, local MP Michelle Donelan, has written to the CEO of the White Horse Federation, Dr Nicholas Capstick, highlighting that governors at the school and parents feel that they have not be part of the decision-making process.

She said, “Not only has the foundation governor expressed serious concern that WHF have imposed all of this on the school without consultation or communication before reaching the decision, they feel utterly left out of the decision-making process which will have significant repercussions for staff, pupils and parents.

“I would be very grateful if these concerns could be promptly addressed, especially in light of the challenging year children have had as a result of the pandemic. The timing is also incredibly unfortunate and if it were delayed by a year, it may cause considerably less disruption to the close-knit community who have been side-lined in the future of St Mary’s.”

The MP has also written to the Minister of State for School Standards, Nick Gibb MP, asking for clarity about the process for “reorganising” a school, and what the input of the school’s governors should have been.