Parents at Ushaw Moor sign letter with urgent concerns

In a joint letter, 51 parents of children at Our Lady and St Joseph's Catholic Primary in Ushaw Moor say they feel “frustrated and betrayed” because of an “appalling lack of leadership, transparency, and accountability” from school leaders.

They say they have “urgent concerns” about the academy trust behind the school, the Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust (BWCET), with some threatening to withdraw their kids in protest.

Issues raised by the group of parents involve the trust allegedly “ignoring” parent's complaints, “refusing” to engage with parents to address concerns and giving “unconvincing justifications” for a controversial merger of two smaller schools over the summer.

Pupils at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School in Esh Winning - which had just 37 pupils – joined the St Joseph’s premises and its 87 pupils in Ushaw Moor, making one new 120-student school over the summer. But parents previously told how they were given just a week’s notice ahead of the six-week break, with some having already bought uniforms for this academic year.

Parents and pupils outside Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic School in Esh Winning before it closed in a merger over the summer. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Parents say that four members of staff, including the Deputy Head, have all left in recent weeks without kids being able to say goodbye to them or any explanation from the school.

Meanwhile, both schools had their Ofsted ratings downgraded after being taken over by BWCET in November 2020, from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’.

The letter, signed by a split of parents from both former schools, says: “The education and well-being of our children are not up for compromise. The gross failures in leadership and transparency displayed by the trust are unacceptable, and we will not stand by as our children are subjected to this institutional negligence.”

Christopher Coyle, whose daughter is in Year 4, told the Echo: “This is what happens when you try to run a school like a business. It has lost the essence of a school. There have been that many chances the kids don’t know what’s going on.

“There’s no stability. I have no faith whatsoever in the school anymore.

“My daughter doesn’t want to go to school – one of the teachers who left was one of her favourites. I worry there will be more leave.

“The parents are hopeless to do anything. That’s why I signed the letter. I have so much respect for the teachers, this isn’t their fault.”

The newly merged site in Ushaw Moor. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) One Year 6 parent whose daughter went to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Esh Winning before it closed said: “It’s my daughter’s last year of school. Last year she had probably four or five different teachers across the year. Then they said they were shutting the school. Now she’s come here and been in the hall without a classroom for the first half term, and they’ve eventually been moved into a porta-cabin this week but that has no toilet.

“She’s had no stability and it’s the most important year of her school. My worry is it will affect how she does in her Sats. It’s a shambles.”

The school says that while there are no toilets in the new porta-cabin they “understand how important it is for children and staff to have convenient access to toilet facilities” and the new building is “very near the main school”.

Mum Charlene, whose daughter is also in Year 4, added: “My little one is supposed to be starting next year and it’s making me question that.

“I’ve complained about things and not even had a reply to my emails.

The old Esh Winning site is now empty. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) The school said a meeting will take place with parents this week as part of “regular communication” between them and the head teacher.

It is understood parents will also receive a formal reply to the letter this week.

A BWCET spokesperson said: “We understand the significance of all decisions relating to school provision on our pupils, families and local communities and remain committed to providing high-quality education.

“We are disappointed to hear some parents and families believe we have not communicated effectively. The Executive Headteacher, Mr David Miller, has been in regular communication, including meeting with a large group of parents on July 15. It is inaccurate to allege the Trust has not responded to direct contact from parents as we have responded appropriately and in accordance with formal processes.

Recommended reading:

• Darlington parents fuming over lack of change to 'disgusting' school dinners
• Durham City primary school teachers' plea for parking equality as demonstration held
• KEEP HITACHI ON TRACK | Potential lifeline which could help save Hitachi factory unveiled after £17m project

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Click here.

“While we understand and share the desire from parents for openness and transparency; with regard to staffing changes, there are aspects that, due to the confidential nature of individual personal circumstances, simply cannot be shared.

“The Trust has and will continue to respond to any parental communications through the appropriate channels and in line with the defined process. 

“The decision on the amalgamation was genuinely made with the best educational interests of our pupils, staff, and community in mind. We know this was disappointing to some families with a history linked to Our Lady’s, however, we hoped the reasons behind that decision were clear and fully understood following the outcome of the consultation.

“We are working hard to ensure this transition is as smooth as possible and the care, welfare and education of all our pupils remain at the forefront of our decisions. We are committed to providing support for pupils and families.”