PARENTS of pupils at Richmond School have demanded answers from the local authority about why the entire board of governors resigned last week.

Representing anxious parents - who had heard about the fall-out through social media – Fraser Brown met Richmond councillor Stuart Parsons outside the school today (Wednesday, February 19).

Mr Brown, whose daughter is a year seven pupil at the school, said he was deeply concerned about the management break-down and about the wall of silence he had been met with when trying to find answers.

He said: “I have contacted the school but there is only an answer machine message and the Local Education Authority could not tell me anything other than a letter would be sent out to parents next week.

“We have been assured it is not a safeguarding issue at the school but when there are no details there is only rumour and that is not good for anyone.”

North Yorkshire County Councillor for Richmond, Coun Parsons said he had not been given any clear information other than that the governors had resigned after a disagreement with both headteacher Ian Robertson and the LEA.

He said: “The fact that they went together sends a very strong message that they were a united front.

“From the start of early 2013 an Ofsted report suggests that the governing body was strong and able to hold the leaders of the school to account so something has broken down between then and now.”

Mr Brown added: “I just want to make sure that my child’s education does not suffer.”

County Councillor Arthur Barker, executive member for children and young people’s services, said: “Clearly these are matters of an important and confidential nature but I can assure all that no safeguarding issues are involved.

“Richmond School is a good school with a growing core of outstanding teaching and is a key provider of secondary education in Richmondshire.

“At a meeting on Thursday, February 13, officers from Children and Young People’s Service met the governing body.

“Following that meeting the full governing body chose to resign.

“The local authority will now appoint an interim executive board and will appoint a new governing body as soon as possible.

“The day to day running of the school and the educational provision for pupils will not be affected.”