Search for
Search for
Search forFears of mass exodus of teachers at Edenham High
Friday, August 01, 2008, 09:01
Last week www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk reported how itsbeleaguered headtecher Jacey Downes has quit.
Now, there are fears a flurry of teachers are following her in deserting the school this summer.
The school's board of governors suspended Ms Downes earlier this month, with council sources telling the Advertiser they had been unhappy with her management style.
Last week, parents received a letter informing them she had resigned.
The council issued a statement this week saying that Ms Downes had left by mutual consent.
But Derek Loughborough, one of the governors and a former chair of Croydon Council's education committee, insisted that the resignation had come out of the blue.
“There was absolutely no pressure on her to go,” he said.
Parent Sarah Bennett, 41, whose daughter is taking her GCSEs next year, says a dramatic turnaround is needed to change the fortunes of the school. She said: “The authorities should have seen this coming and they should have had a plan.
“I'm not happy my daughter is going to have to suffer the instability of not having a permanent head at the beginning of next year.
“And I am furious my daughter and her friends are saying 14 teachers are leaving as well now.”
Ms Bennett believes the school will be better off without Ms Downes at the helm.
“It's sad for any school to have to lose its head but at the end of the day she was struggling and she had to go,” she said.
It is understood governors were frustrated at Ms Downes' managerial style and alleged uncommunicative attitude towards them.
In a damning Ofsted report released in January, Edenham, based in Orchard Way, Shirley, was issued with a “notice to improve”.
The school's reputation was not helped by a catalogue of violent incidents this year involving pupils.
It was expected Ms Downes' position would be the subject of future meetings with the governors and the council.
But it appears she decided to resign ahead of any such meetings, and potential investigations into her performance.
A council spokeswoman said deputy head Alan Wood has taken on the role of acting head, until a new permanent replacement is found.
The council also released a statement from Ms Downes which said: “After three years at Edenham High School I have taken the decision it is the right time now to move on to different challenges.”
END OF THE LINE: Jacey Downes has resigned as headteacher of Edenham High School
Be the first to comment