A prayer, a priest, a whistleblower – and a headteacher who stayed
A follow-up to School parents plan protests and demand answers as they lose a much-loved Headteacher
When I wrote about the extraordinary meeting at Baltonsborough Village Hall, I left out one part of what happened.
Going back to go forward
As the meeting ended, I took a moment to speak privately to the people at the centre of the story. I asked a simple question: could we go back a step, in order to go forward? Was the impossible possible?
The stakes were high. Another resignation had been handed in that afternoon. The school felt as if it was on the brink.
The following Sunday, I went to my local church. I prayed for the school, and I spoke to my vicar about it. It isn’t something I usually do. But I did it because I didn’t know what else to do. Parents were hurting, staff were hurting, and so was the school’s leadership.
The answer was yes
To give credit to ACE, they listened and learned.
Parents have now received a letter from both the Headteacher and the Trust.
Catherine Greenwell writes that, after “open and honest conversations” with the Trust, she will remain at Baltonsborough as Headteacher in January. She calls the role “the biggest privilege of my life”.
The Trust will provide the extra support she asked for, in curriculum development, leadership, Early Years and the nursery. Two advisers will work alongside her. A much-valued member of the school’s family support team will also continue in her role.
Catherine writes that the week’s work with the Trust “has reassured me personally and has already placed the school in a stronger position.”
In his part of the letter, CEO Nick Hind follows up on the promises he made to parents, including:
– Support: the support given to the school over the last year is being reviewed by the Local Advocate Board, and details will be shared with parents.
– Reports: no report was completed after the last adviser visit, and earlier reports won’t be shared because too much would need redacting to protect staff.
The Trust’s CEO will return to meet parents later this month.
Meanwhile, the story travelled further than I expected
My first article has now been viewed more than 50,000 times. It started a great many conversations.
Out of the blue, I had a call from a priest whose parish includes another Church of England village school in Somerset, also run by ACE.
He has served that community for over many years. In that time, his school has passed through muliple academy trusts and at least five headteachers. “To be honest,” he wrote, “I have stopped counting.” The latest head left after just eighteen months, and the school is now down to two classes.
He feels his community is in a similar place to Baltonsborough, especially on the lack of consultation. He would like to work together to protect his school.
A whistleblower
I have also received an account from someone who used to work for the Trust. They cannot go on public record, and I am not able to publish what they sent me.
Their account details a number of headteachers across the Trust who have stood down, resigned or taken on reduced roles. The Trust answered that same question in its letter to parents, and the two accounts are different.
There could be a reasonable explanation for this. The two accounts may cover different time periods, or count a “change of headteacher” in different ways. But it is a question worth asking.
For now
Baltonsborough has its Headteacher back. Parents have been heard. The Trust has shown it can listen and change course.
Other school communities are now asking the same questions, and I’m wondering where this story should go next. What do you think? Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, someone who works at a Trust, or someone who simply cares about our village schools, I’d love to hear from you.
For now, the story continues.
Please leave a comment if you wish to add to this story.
Claire Sully, Somerset Councillor for Mendip South and Associate Lead Member for Community Resilience