Concerned parents say they have been left with more questions than answers over a £1.5 million debt faced by Penrith’s Queen Elizabeth Grammar School.
A group met with governors after it emerged QEGS remains in dispute with the Education Skills Funding Agency, a wing of the Department for Education, over a repayment relating to works done at the Ullswater Road site.
Members of the group told the Herald they do not believe the school made the full financial position clear during a consultation on the school joining the West Lakes Multi Academy (WLMAT).
“We feel that the consultation over this irreversible move was pointless because we did not have the full picture of the school’s disastrous financial position,” parents said in a statement.
It is understood parents have been told the Education and Skills Funding Agency had suggested QEGS join WLMAT.
If the school refused, some parents claim, the ESFA would issue a financial Notice to Improve. That would effectively involve the ESFA stepping in to have a say over financial decisions to balance the books.
The school was approached for a comment and has said previously it can cover the liability.
It said the decision to explore joining the trust was started “due to the move in the educational landscape with the upcoming governmental White Paper and as a prudent and diligent financial consideration”.
It went further: “With regards to QEGS’s potential collaboration with specifically West Lakes Multi Academy Trust, the choice of partner was purely driven by the positive possibilities in the partnership.
“West Lakes is supportive of QEGS as it seeks to reach agreement with ESFA over potential repayments.”
The ESFA is preparing a report which will give details about how the debt arose and what repayment terms will be acceptable.
The ESFA has been approached for comment.
