Ridgeway parents demand answers over headteacher's suspension (From Wirral Globe)

Ridgeway parents demand answers over headteacher's suspension

12:29pm Monday 21st January 2013 in News By Stephanie Cureton

WIRRAL parents say they are still “in the dark” over the suspension of their children’s headteacher.

Hundreds of mums and dads joined an online campaign last year after Ridgeway High School last August suspended its head Pauline Roberts and another member of the teaching staff.

Ms Roberts has not yet been reinstated.

Parents are now determined to get answers.

One mother whose children attend Ridgeway said she is meeting with her MP and is hoping more people will join the campaign.

The woman, who insisted on remaining anonymous, said: "As parents of children at the school, we are entitled to know what is going on and when our headteacher is going to be back.

"We found out about the suspensions last August just two days before GCSE results and we have never been officially told why.

"Many parents know what led to these suspensions and we are demanding the minutes from any disciplinary meetings that have taken place.”

During investigations deputy headteacher Tony Taylor has taken the reins of the school.

In a statement last August, chairwoman of the board of governors Jane Gordon said: "We would like to stress that suspension is a neutral act which allows an investigation to take place, and add that we look forward to resolving this matter to the satisfaction of all concerned.

"We would also like to reassure pupils, parents and staff that it will be business as usual at Ridgeway, and that staff and governors are working together to ensure that the children continue to work in a happy and supportive atmosphere.

"We continue to have the pupils' welfare and best interests at heart.

"Tony Taylor has worked at the school for ten years and we would like to thank him for stepping in during this time."

However parents now say their children’s school life is being affected by Ms Roberts’ absence and claim some school activities have been cancelled in the wake of the suspension.

The concerned mum added: "There used to be evening and weekend booster classes held in the run-up to exams but they have been reduced or pulled since Ms Roberts’ absence.

"We have all noticed the difference since this happened and the atmosphere has definitely changed in the school among students.

"I understand that they can’t tell us too much because there is an investigation but they should be updating us with any information about Ms Roberts’ return."

Mr Tony Taylor, Acting Headteacher at Ridgeway High School, said: "We are working hard to resolve this matter to the satisfaction of all concerned.

"In the meantime, there has been no disruption to school activities, extra curricular lessons or exam booster classes, quite the contrary in fact, as many continued over the Christmas break.

"If the parent concerned would like to contact me to discuss her concerns I would be happy to meet with her.

"Our pupils continue to work in a happy and supportive atmosphere, and we would like to reassure parents that as always, we have the pupils welfare and best interests at heart."