Parents protest at running of Bradford Moor Community Primary School (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Headteacher says changes being made to improve attainment

7:00am Wednesday 13th February 2013 in News By Claire Armstrong, T&A Reporter

Placard-waving parents staged a protest outside a primary school yesterday, claiming its standards were slipping.

About 30 parents held the demonstration outside the entrance to Bradford Moor Community Primary School, off Barkerend Road.

The group, which called themselves the Bradford Moor Parents’ Group, raised concerns over the school’s scrapping of sets in favour of mixed-ability classes, which parents said meant brighter children were this year studying material they had already been taught.

Spokesman Shaista Kauser said some after-school sports clubs and booster lessons were no longer being provided.

She also said a number of teachers had left the school, meaning their children were being taught by “an endless stream of supply staff”.

Mrs Kauser, who has three children at the school, said some parents were now paying for private tuition.

In a speech read to fellow protesters, Mrs Kauser said until recently the primary school had been at the heart of its community.

She said: “There is no community involvement left. The education of our children has been negatively impacted upon following wave after wave of changes within school.”

Mrs Kauser said throughout the school year, parents had raised their concerns with school staff, governors and the education department of Bradford Council, but claimed they were not being listened to.

She said: “Our top priority is the education of our children. The current school year could be described as a write-off.”

Another parent, Safina Khan, whose son is in year six, said: “My son came home and said ‘Mum, change my school, I don’t like it here anymore’.

“My kid’s education is ruined. I don’t want any other kids’ educations to be ruined.”

In a statement to the Telegraph & Argus, headteacher Janet Relton said: “The leadership team and governing body at Bradford Moor Primary School have a relentless focus on improving the outcomes for children. This has meant introducing some changes to existing practice to improve impact.

“We are doing all we can to assure any parents who may have some concerns about these changes. We are working closely with the local authority to introduce changes for the benefit of all our pupils to reflect the high expectations that our parents have for their children.

“The school continues to provide a range of extra-curricular opportunities for children. Parents are always welcome to make an appointment to discuss their children.”

Meanwhile, West Yorkshire Police has started a probe into reports that a malicious letter, understood to make reference to the school, has been sent to an address in Barkerend Road, Bradford.

A police spokesman said they received the complaint on February 7.

He said: “We are currently investigating its content and the nature of the circumstances. The matter is being taken very seriously and we are working closely with parents and the school.”

Anyone with information about the letter should contact the Bowling, Barkerend and Bradford Moor Neighbourhood Policing Team on the non-emergency number 101.

Councillor Ralph Berry, Bradford Council’s executive member for children’s services, said: “The Council is supporting Bradford Moor Primary and working closely with the leadership and the governing body to bring about further improvements as they make the decisions on how best to provide an appropriate education for the children and are responsible for the day-to-day running of their school. Parents have already met with senior officers from the Council to air their views.”