A group of over 180 parents say resignations are needed in order to save the reputation of Assumption Grammar school
A group of concerned parents of pupils at a Co Down grammar school have called for the board of governors to resign in the latest development in a long-running dispute at the school.
The group, which represents over 180 parents of children who attend Assumption Grammar School, has written letters to the school board and its trustees calling for the “reconstitution of the board” to allow the school community to “start afresh.”
The school had previously refused to release the full details of an Education Authority report, which was compiled following an investigation into issues at the school, and have only made a redacted version available.
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A group of parents of pupils at the school have formed together this year and say they have attempted to engage with the school board of governors about the running of the school and concerns they have; however, they say their questions have been ignored.
The group had wanted to meet with the board to discuss their concerns; however, they wrote a letter this week saying that it is withdrawing the invitation for a number of reasons.
Among the reasons the group listed are;
- Significant restrictive parameters were placed by the board on a meeting with the parents’ group, not in line with any attempt for openness and transparency
- Current feeling among the Parents’ group that the language and tone of letters from the Board of Governors indicate that it is unlikely that the meeting will be open and constructive
- No acknowledgement or confirmation from you that the Parent Governor will be in attendance at the proposed meeting.
- No response from the board to any of the questions or requests for statutory and/or documentation, which should be available to the public
- Please also note that agenda topics and significant reasonings of such were shared with the board by the parents’ group in our letters dated, which have also been ignored
The letter said: “I have written to the Assumption School Trust this morning demanding an immediate reconstitution of the board with alternate members from the Trustees and removal of co-opted members, the parents’ group also demand from you, the school board, your immediate resignation.
“Reconstitution of the board would give the opportunity for the whole school community to start afresh. At this point, the parent group will gladly and willingly meet with the new Board in order to ensure we start with open communications, which have been lacking in interactions so far.”
The Education Authority has been asked to comment on the letter; however, it has said these are a “matter for the school”.
Assumption Grammar School Board of Governors have declined to comment.
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