CONCERNS were raised by Altarnun Parish Council at its recent meeting over the future of the local primary school, but parents and staff insist the school is improving.

On January 3, the parish council met and discussed an alleged ‘instability’ in staffing at the school and voiced concerns that to ‘do nothing would be detrimental’.

Altarnun Primary School is part of the Adventure Learning Academy Trust (ALAT). The council said that ‘further staff and ALAT officer changes meant that instability would continue into the new year’.

The council also claimed that ‘the new term would see pupil numbers drop below 50’ — this has caused some concern among councillors as they believe it ‘raised the risk that the community was in danger of losing its school in the future’.

However, some parents have spoken out in support of the school and the work it is doing to improve.

Mother of two Persephonie Moir said the school has been through a ‘difficult period’ but was full of praise for the acting head teacher, Simon Danby, and the changes he has made — including the decision to employ three new teachers.

She said: “As a parent of two children at Altarnun school in Years Reception and 4, I felt it important to present a parent’s view of how things are at the school currently.

“Certainly the school has been through a difficult period. Problems which existed before academisation took a long time to be resolved, exacerbated by staffing issues causing much instability which had a knock on effect leading to a reduction in pupil numbers.

“However the current acting principal has done a fantastic job since taking on the role, building on things previously put in place and establishing many new ideas and is starting to turn things around. A new highly experienced Class 1 teacher has had a hugely positive impact, as well as some fantastic new learning opportunities presenting themselves for the children. This progress was also acknowledged by Ofsted earlier this year who upgraded the school’s rating.”

She said since her children started back in the new term things have ‘been really positive’ and two new and highly experienced teachers have also been employed for Class 2 and 3. She said this has been a great example of the ‘academy’s commitment to the school’s future’.

She added: “Behaviour has been a greatly improving situation also. And this is reflected in my children who are thriving there, full of enthusiasm and energy for the school and learning. Hopefully, given time now, and support from the local community we will see the school continue to improve and grow as has happened with other schools in the academy such as at Gulval school who went through a similar period and is now an outstanding example of what can be achieved.”

Nisha Jasper, who is part of the school’s ‘Drive Team’ [governors], acknowledged there have been staffing issues at the school but she is ‘confident’ the school is making progress.

She said: “As a member of Altarnun’s school Drive Team, as well as a parent of a child in Class 1, Reception year; I am hugely impressed with how changes are being made to drive the school forward, to ensure happy and successful children.

“I understand the school has a little way to go regarding the stability of staffing and to improve on academic results but I am confident that Altarnun school are making the right changes and creating better systems to monitor that all flagged areas in need of improvement are improved.

“I personally am very passionate that our local school succeeds, as myself and previous generations attended this school and it’s so important to our community.”

She added: “On a personal note my son is extremely happy at this school and is succeeding in every aspect — academically, emotionally and socially. I will continue to support our local school and do all I can to do so.”

Chair of the Friends of Altarnun School (FOASA) and mother of ‘one happy child that attends Altarnun school’, Claire Thorne, said that ‘although family numbers are down, those that have remained are supportive of the school and its efforts to improve’.

She added: “This was demonstrated at our recent Snowfest fundraising event as over £1,000 was raised, which is double previous years. There was also a noticeable increase in numbers of people from the wider community who attended which was really lovely to see and had a positive effect on the children.

“FOASA is looking into getting grants to further develop the great work that has been started at Altarnun school. Most improvements are to the outdoor learning environments, which was started with the ‘Big Dig’ last year. I feel positive about the school and hope that with continued support it will thrive and numbers will inevitably improve.”

In response to the parish council’s concerns, a spokesperson for Altarnun Primary School said: “Altarnun Primary School is proud of the improved Ofsted rating it has secured since it converted to academy status. At its latest inspection in September 2017 Ofsted officials recognised many of the improvements put in place commenting that ‘the multi-academy trust has intervened swiftly and effectively and is rapidly improving the quality of teaching across the school’. Inspectors praised the role played by acting headteacher, Simon Danby, stating that he has ‘quickly grasped what needs to be done to improve the academy’.

“Simon operates an open door policy and the school engages regularly with the local community through participating in and hosting community events such as its recent ‘Once upon a Christmas time’ event.”

In response to the statement that pupil numbers are falling, the spokesperson added: “The school is currently still receiving applications for the forthcoming year and with the continued support of parents, pupils and the local community is looking forward to a continued year of improvement and growth for the school.”

The parish council agreed it ‘could, should and would organise an open meeting’ to discuss its concerns with members of the community. The council said it hopes a representative from the school will attend the public meeting but has stated the meeting will go ahead ‘with or without them’.

The public meeting will be held on February, Wednesday 21, starting at 6pm in the Altarnun Village Hall.