PARENTS have spoken of their concern over what they claim has been a lack of consultation about a school moving to an academy trust.

The group, whose children attend Bradford Girls’ Grammar School, has claimed questions regarding the school becoming a part of the Bradford Diocesan Academy Trust (BDAT) have not been answered.

An email to the Squire Lane school, seen by the Telegraph & Argus, raised concerns over a consultation meeting held earlier this month.

The parents said questions were noted down rather than answered and described the format of the meeting as “inappropriate”.

They called for another meeting, where questions can be answered face-to-face.

The parents have hit out over the process in making the decision to join BDAT.

The email said: “There is a lack of evidence of a thorough and diligent process that has been used to select BDAT, and a school of such a size of both primary and secondary stages warrants a number of presentations that would enable a governing body to select the best trust for school improvement for BGGS.

“We as parents therefore would like to see presentations from a number of suitable trusts and would like to be part of the process to select a trust and we would like to see evidence that trusts were considered in a fair process for the best outcomes for the school.”

In a joint statement, Clare Martin, BGGS principal, and Carole Dewhurst, BDAT CEO, said “due process” had been followed in line with guidance and support from the Department for Education (DfE).

They said: “The school received confirmation from the DfE that the transfer had been approved at the end of the summer term .

“As this is a voluntary transfer, there is no requirement for an official consultation.  However, parental engagement is extremely important to the school; indeed over 80 engagement events were held last academic year.

“A parent engagement and communication event to discuss the MAT (Multi Academy Trust) transfer was planned for September but was unfortunately postponed to October 5 out of respect for the official period of mourning for the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

“Parents have been informed of further opportunities to progress this dialogue with BDAT and BGGS colleagues who will be working with their children.”

They said parent questions have been responded to via a dedicated email inbox.

“We look forward to working alongside our parents and with BDAT to continue to improve the school,” they added.

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