Demonstrators at Calday Grange Grammar School demand governors' resignations (From Wirral Globe)

Demonstrators at Calday Grange Grammar School demand governors' resignations

2:30pm Monday 27th September 2010 in News By Stephanie Cureton

Demonstrators at Calday Grange Grammar School demand governors' resignations

ANGRY parents of children at a top Wirral school staged a protest today demanding the board of governors stands down.

Around 100 people turned up to the demonstration outside Calday Grange Grammar School in a bid to show governors they want change.

Headteacher Andrew Hall was suspended from the school last October in mysterious circumstances.

Parents fear the future of the school is in jeopardy and want a resolution to Mr Hall's suspension.

Matthew Baylis, whose son attends the 1,450-pupil school, has been spearheading the campaign to make the governors "sit up and listen."

He said: "Enough is enough. The school has been without a headteacher for a year now and we are no further forward in knowing if or when Mr Hall will be re-instated.

"We are protesting about the quality of the governing body here at Calday, they are not keeping us parents informed of what is going on.

"A year ago, our children were coming to a great school, but now it is in turmoil.

"There has been a reduction in the number of people in senior management and large amounts of money being spent on legal costs. Decisions have been made which do not have the school's best interests at heart.

"Quite simply, we have had enough and lost trust in the governing body."

In 2009, Calday Grange became the borough's first Trust school, meaning it was no longer within the local council network.

Liverpool University, Maestro Services Ltd and Unilever were brought in to contribute to the governance of the school and offer expertise.

But following the lack of resolution over Mr Hall's suspension, education secretary Michael Gove stepped in during the summer to tell Calday to form a new board.

A displinary hearing was scheduled for this week but protestors claim the proceedings will be a "kangaroo court".

Despite the drama the school has faced in the last year, Mr Baylis believes that the boys' education has not suffered so far.

He said: "The teaching here has stayed the same, as far as we can see, and is still very good. But the governors need to get the message today that we want them out.

"None of us know why Mr Hall was suspended so we are neither for nor against him. But something needs to change."

Gareth Williams, executive director at Calday Grange Grammar School, said: "The protest this afternoon was very disruptive to the school and didn't help when trying to conduct lessons.

"I have little comment to make about the situation with Mr Hall, however myself and school staff continue to work hard to provide the best possible education for all pupils."