CONCERNED parents of pupils at a school in Chippenham are pleading for an Ofsted inspection, as it has been 10 years since the last one.

Parents of pupils at St Mary’s Catholic Primary have raised worries about the leadership of the school with the Gazette & Herald, concerned there have been three interim headteachers since a former head’s sudden resignation in 2017.

They feel the frequent changes of staff is having a negative impact on the school.

St Mary’s, on Rowden Hill, was rated outstanding by Ofsted in 2008. Recently the inspectors have been criticised for not regularly reinspecting schools that get the top rating.

A number of parents say they have complained to both inspectors and Wiltshire Council, but were told Ofsted didn’t believe their concerns warranted another inspection. One parent, who asked to remain anonymous, claimed there were issues with the management of the school, and the relationship with the governors.

They said: “It doesn’t seem to be a fair partnership. It feels like no teacher wants to remain there, they just keep disappearing.

“I think it has had a knock-on effect on the school.

“Ofsted said it considered our complaint. It said things were being dealt with but no further action has been taken to sort out the governing of the school.

Another parent said: “It hasn’t been graded since 2008. It was outstanding at the time, but recently 50 parents have complained and still have heard nothing.

“Surely these teachers leaving should have triggered an inspection? Parents just feel excluded.”

Responding to the claims made by parents, Christine Collect, schools director for Clifton Diocese said: “As a locally maintained school in the Trusteeship of the Order of the Poor Servants, Clifton Diocese is working in partnership with these stakeholders during this period of significant change.

“A head has been appointed and will take up the post in September, which should provide stability once again.

“Clifton Diocese is committed to working with the school and community to provide a quality Catholic education.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We have been working closely with the school and governors, providing appropriate support. We will continue working with the school as they bring in any necessary improvements to ensure all pupils receive the best possible education.”

A spokesman for Ofsted, said: “By law, the majority of outstanding schools are exempt from routine inspection.

“However, where we have concerns, Ofsted has the power to inspect any school at any time.

Outstanding schools are risk assessed by Ofsted on an annual basis, to help determine whether there are concerns and if an inspection may be required.

“We take all complaints and concerns seriously and these feed into our risk assessment process.”