Urchfont governor resigns over merger

10:10am Thursday 15th May 2008

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THE chairman of governors at Urchfont Primary School has resigned as the debate on a proposal to merge the school with Upavon Primary School becomes increasingly bitter.

Robert Lee resigned on Saturday following meetings, held by him and other governors, with concerned parents at Urchfont Primary School, as he felt parents had lost trust in the governing body.

The meetings with groups of parents lasted five and a half hours in total.

In his letter of resignation he says: "Many questions were to do with understanding the process in minute detail. It is obvious to me that the parents do not trust the governing body to participate in a consultation fairly.

"During the Q&A session it was insinuated that the governors were not fit to govern the school; they were also not putting the needs of the school or children first."

He said a parent told him that they would "do everything in my power to stop this (merger)" and Mr Lee felt the school and governors would not be able to function effectively if decisions and consultation were opposed in such a "corrosive way".

He adds in his letter: "During the Q&A session today it became apparent that much of the angst has stemmed from my covering letter that went out with the consultation document. I wrote it in good faith but due to time pressures did not get it ratified by a majority of governors.

"Accordingly I take full responsibility for the current feeling of mistrust and therefore resign as a governor of Urchfont School with immediate effect."

Wiltshire County Council wants to merge Upavon, which is in special measures after failing its Ofsted inspection in January, with Urchfont, with Urchfont's headteacher Jackie Holton as head of both schools.

But parents in Urchfont and the parish council are opposed to the idea.

One parent who refused to be named said: "Robert Lee has done a smashing job as a governor but the merger has polarised opinion and led to passionate views being expressed. Many parents felt it was going to get pushed through. The two schools are too far apart from each other to be seriously managed by one headteacher."

In a statement about Mr Lee's resignation Mrs Holton said: "Mr Lee has made an outstanding contribution to the school. He has been a highly effective governor and has dedicated himself totally to the education of the children in our school. He is a man of utmost integrity and honesty.

"We now all owe it to our children to rebuild relationships so that we continue to provide the very best education for our children."