A parents’ group has welcomed a series of sudden resignations from the trust in charge of governing Penrith’s Queen Elizabeth Grammar School.
An unspecified number of governors have departed with a wave of experienced new faces having joined its trust, the school has announced.
The departures follow a damning report by education bosses into how government grants for improvement works were knowingly overclaimed.
That has left the school owing £1.5 million to the Department for Education, and being served with a notice to Improve.
The school has now paused plans to join the Egremont-based West Lakes Multi Academy Trust. The parents’ group, which has called for the trust link-up to be halted, welcomed the departures in a statement.
It said: “We welcome the governors’ resignations which will allow the school to move on from the shadow of their poor decisions. [Headteacher] David Marchant and the current team have our full support as the school recovers in the best way it can. ”
Headteacher Mr Marchant said: “When it became clear that a number of trustees were preparing to stand down, I was asked by the chair of the trustees to begin to find a new, professional board with the skills and experience to support the school in an interim capacity until the requirements of the notice to improve have been fulfilled.
“I have worked with the chief executive of the Grammar School Heads Association (GSHA) and the local authority to identify a group of individuals who have relevant experience to provide executive leadership at this time.”
Martyn Worrall, chairman of the outgoing trustees, added: “The board of trustees has tried to act in the best interests of the school, and we continue to do so now by resigning and allowing a new board to conduct a fresh consultation.
“This will also ensure the school fulfils its legal obligations, including those set out in the notice to improve.”
