School at war over head teacher

Arundel and Brighton Bishop Kieron Conry has stepped into the centre of the battle between parents at St Catherine's Catholic Primary School in Highdown Drive, to ask them to remain calm for the sake of the children.

The school has been virtually at war over the future of head Adam Lenkiewicz, with one set of parents protesting outside the school against West Sussex County Council's decision to bring him back, and others signing a petition calling for his return.

Mr Lenkiewicz had been on long-term sick leave, during which time the school was put into special measures by Ofsted. The protests by parents forced the council to change its mind and not bring him back, a decision which has still not been confirmed as permanent.

This was too little too late for some parents, who have taken their children out of the school.

However, many parents have come forward in support of the head, claiming that those protesting had a "personal vendetta" against him.

While the arguments rage on both sides of the debate, one common theme has emerged from the many parents who have contacted the Gazette '“ the need for the council to talk to them about what they want and then make a definite decision.

But James Jarvis, one of the school's governors, told the Gazette that the council had informed governors a meeting with parents would be held only if enough of them wrote in to demand one.

He criticised this move: "Not all parents would feel confident in writing a letter. The school is in an area of deprivation and not everyone has the skills to write a letter and many parents have English as a second language, so may not be able to write to the council.

"I think we need a public meeting for the parents air their views and for the council to step into the dock, we need a bit of honesty and we need to know whether the majority of parents are confident in the head teacher or not."

Bishop Conry said he thought a public meeting would only inflame the situation further and would not be to the benefit of the children, the school or the parents.

He said: "Public meetings like that tend to generate a lot of heat in a situation like this. I think more cool is needed. At the moment a public meeting may not solve anything and might just cause additional tension and conflict.

"I know the school has had its difficulties but I think that now a decision has been made, the diocesan schools office will make sure that the best is done for the school to get it back on track again.

"My first concern in all this is the children. We must not lose sight of them and if we make sure of them as our primary concern, we will be sure to make the right decisions."

Jane Young, one of several parents who contacted the Gazette, said: "I think the council needs to have some backbone and come straight.

"They need to make a decision and stick to it or ask the parents and let them decide.

"You can't please all the people all the time, that's life, but the kids at the school have to be there every day and should be happy and supported.

"I have had three children at the school and as far as I'm concerned their education has been good."