OFFICIALS are refusing to reveal what has prompted an entire secondary school governing body to resign.

Governors from Richmond School and Sixth Form College, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, have also declined to explain the reasons for their resignations.

It is understood all 15 governors resigned last week.

It is believed they took the decision on Thursday following a meeting with officials from the education department at North Yorkshire County Council.

Anne Skeoch, chair of the governors, told The Northern Echo that they had no desire to go into the details of the decision.

However, she added: “I can confirm the governing body has resigned en masse.

“I'm sure you recognise this is a very unusual situation - a very rare event - and, in the interests of students and staff at the school, details of the circumstances are being sent to Ofsted and the Department of Education.”

The council also refused to reveal the background to the decision or why officers had met with the governors.

A spokesman said: “Richmond School is a good school with a growing core of outstanding teaching.

“The local authority is working to secure effective governance of the school, and continues to work with the school’s senior leadership team to ensure that these very high standards are sustained.”

One parent, who asked not to be named, said: “I don’t know what’s gone on but they need to sort it out quickly.

“Something must have gone seriously awry for all the governors to leave.”

Nobody at the school was available to comment on Monday.

Following the last visit by Ofsted in February last year, the school was adjudged to be a good standard.

The report stated: “Members of the governing body provide strong challenge in holding the school to account.

“Governors use the high quality information provided by the school to make sure they know the strengths of the school and the areas which need further development.

“They have secure systems to ensure appropriate health and safety checks are done regularly and effectively.”