The father of a Spalding Grammar School student has demanded the resignation of the board of governors, accusing them of being “incapable”.
Jason Johnson’s request came on the day governors and the school’s senior management averted a scheduled first day of strike action by staff in the National Union of Teachers on Wednesday (February 24) by juggling the budget to enable a one per cent across-the-board pay rise to be implemented.
Mr Johnson, of Cowbit, is dissatisfied with the performance of the senior management team and holds the governing body responsible for appointing them and for the tight financial predicament which the school finds itself in.
It has academy status and is therefore responsible for allocating its budget.
Mr Johnson, who was hoping to see improvement after Steven Wilkinson succeeded Nigel Ryan as headteacher last summer, wrote to all the governors on Tuesday, copying in MP John Hayes and the Department for Education.
He wrote: “Since the start of this school year I have been looking to see a change in the standards and performance of the school. This is not evident, and now with the school on threat of closure due to strikes [it] is unacceptable.
“I understand at the time of writing you may have avoided the strike actions by awarding the teachers the one per cent pay award as due to them. Regardless of this resolution you have as a body proved incapable, individually and collectively as performing the role of school governor, I ask that you individually and collectively resign with immediate effect.”
Speaking to The Voice, Mr Johnson accused senior management of lacking the motivational skills and drive to get the best out of the teachers. He said this was in stark contrast to Spalding High School where students were benefiting greatly.
The school’s latest Ofsted report last November rated it “good” overall. Its previous rating was “outstanding”.
The latest report noted: “The new headmaster has had a significant effect on raising teachers’ and pupils’ expectations. He has swiftly restored the drive to ensure that every pupil must achieve their best.”
Chairman of the governors, the Rev John Bennett, has told Mr Johnson his letter will be on the agenda of their next meeting.
He added: “In the meantime let me assure you that the school is not facing a financial crisis and that the cost of meeting the additional pay award to teachers will be found from making savings in other areas of planned expenditure.”
Meanwhile, the deal unanimously accepted by NUT members on Tuesday will see the one per cent pay rise backdated to September.
NUT official Ken Rustidge said: “It’s a very good outcome for all concerned.
“People in the Spalding area should be pleased and proud to have such a good school.”
