The academy trust that runs both secondary schools in St Neots has written to parents in response to claims made in a social media post from an election candidate.
Anthony Browne, the Conservative Party candidate for St Neots and Mid-Cambridgeshire, held a public meeting on Friday (June 21) for parents and carers of pupils at Longsands and Ernulf academies to share their views of the Astrea Academy Trust.
The meeting was arranged before the election was called.
Among the issues discussed were the wellbeing of students, the recent resignation of one of the school principals and “disbelief” that Longsands was awarded a “Good” Ofsted rating.
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In a Facebook post published the following morning, Mr Browne added: “I also understand that 27 teachers will leave Longsands next month, and the school will have had almost an entire turnover of teachers in one year. This is not normal.
“There is clearly something deeply dysfunctional going on to drive teachers to leave in such high numbers.”
The Astrea Academy Trust runs both Ernulf Academy and Longsands Academy in St Neots – and the latter was rated “Good” following an Ofsted inspection in February.
But parents and carers believe staff were drafted in from other schools during the inspection, giving a misleading impression that this was normal operations at the school.
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Astrea has responded to parents, saying it was “entirely transparent” with Ofsted about the members of staff who are usually based fully at Longsands and the additional staff from Astrea during inspection days.
It says Ofsted was “comfortable with this”.
The trust also refuted claims that detentions were cancelled during the inspection and children with behavioural issues were handed extended detentions or segregated in back rooms away from the inspectors.
When contacted, Ofsted says it will not comment on individual schools.
Mr Browne added: “It is clear to me that there is a complete breakdown in trust and confidence between Astrea and a large tranche of the parents.
“I believe the only viable long term solution is “rebrokering” the schools - taking them away from Astrea, and bringing them under new management.”
He said he will revisit the issue with the Department for Education, which has been approached for comment.
The issue with secondary schools in St Neots has become a key election issue among candidates battling to be the town’s next MP.
Cllr Stephen Ferguson (Independent) recently published a statement acknowledging “there are very real problems at these schools”.
And, whether elected or not, he has pledged to “remain vocal on this issue as a councillor” and meet with all parties to discuss further.
In a Facebook post, Ian Sollom (Lib Dem) said that “Ofsted has long been believed to be unfit for purpose” by his party and he would be addressing the situation in St Neots if elected.
At recent hustings held at Love’s Farm, Marianna Masters (Labour) also agreed reform is needed at Ofsted.
Kathryn Fisher (The Green Party) said her party would bring schools back into the hands of local authorities.
Bev White (Party of Women) urged teachers and parents to be on the same page.
Guy Lachlan (Reform UK) has not yet publicly commented on the issue.
A spokesperson for Astrea Academy Trust said: “It is obviously very disappointing to hear about the position Mr Browne has taken, particularly so when [Longsands Academy] has come so far.
“Students themselves say they feel safer and happier as a result of the changes that have been made which Ofsted have described as being ‘necessary’ and which address ‘deep rooted behaviour throughout the school’.
They added: “We absolutely recognise we need to do more to help parents understand the reasons behind our approach and are hopeful that we can work in closer partnership with parents as we move into this new chapter, now that the school has been formally recognised as ‘Good’.”
A new parents advisory council has been set up to provide feedback to the trust and the trust says the “doors are always open for families” to discuss any concerns.
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