Calls for independent review at Lymm High School

A “TSUNAMI” of negative comments from parents and former staff has sparked calls for an independent panel to be called in at Lymm High School following the suspension of principal Angela Walsh.
Senior local councillor Ian Marks, leader of the Lib Dem opposition group on Warrington Borough Council and Chairman of the local parish council says his overriding concern is regaining stability for young people at the school.
Cllr Marks (pictured left) said:“There has been a tsunami of negative comments from parents, ex-staff and others following the announcement of the suspension of the Principal at Lymm High. This just shows the state of feelings on the issues that have now surfaced. Many people came to Lymm because of the excellence of the secondary education here. Now they are rightly alarmed about what is going on and the effect on their children. After all children only pass through school once.
“My overriding concern is to regain some stability for the young people there. A group of independent people ought to be appointed to review the evidence about what has happened and then prepare a recovery plan.
“When the School became an academy last September, it came out of the control of the local education authority. Warrington Council then had hardly any influence about what went on there. It is rather perverse that the Council may now have a crucial role to play to restore the School once again to excellence,” added Cllr Marks.
The school say there is nothing further to say at this stage, following the a letter which was sent out to parents and carers last Friday.
The letter jointly signed by Chair of Governors Andrew Walshe and Vice Chair Rebecca Knowles stated interim leadership arrangements for the school had been put in place for the rest of this term.
Suzanne Finlay has been asked to become Acting Principal for this period with all members of the Senior Leadership Team taking on some additional responsibilities.
They also met with many parents, who attended a special open session who raised important concerns about issues like staff turnover, continuity of teaching, behaviour, homework and other things.
Governors are meeting this week to discuss the leadership arrangements for the School from September 2013, and are working with senior staff from Warrington Borough Council on that matter.
The school expects to have a full complement of permanent teaching staff in September –including all leadership roles like heads of faculty and subject –and we are looking forward to welcoming a number of key new staff to the School.
Parents and carers have been told they will be kept informed of developments with plans for further open sessions as they are required.
Miss Walsh (pictured right) joined the School in September 2008 and within 12 months hit the headlines with a controversial new school uniform policy.
The School has been an Academy since last September.
Staff morale has been low for some time, with significant numbers choosing to leave.
A council spokesperson said: “The school currently has a contract with the council for an HR advisory service, amongst other services.”
“As an investigation is ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further at the moment.”