Mixed views on Academies strict regime. (26 Jan 2006)
Strict Discipline at the new Trinity Academy in Thorne has brought a string of complaints in recent weeks culminating in a public meeting.
The level of anger among some parents led to a heated meeting in Moorends recently, where issues raised included alleged bullying of a child for having the “wrong” haircut, pupils being refused permission to go to the toilet and suspensions for being on the wrong side of the corridor.
Pauline Woods, a member of the Thorne and Moorends Parent and Support Group said that she felt the Academy should be made accountable to the community and hoped to raise a petition to show the strength of support for her group’s stance.
Bill Chapman, who chaired the meeting, said they are not against discipline, but looked for it to be applied in a much fairer way. He went on to ask that the problems be sorted out to prevent pupils being put under intense emotional pressure.
Ian Brew, principle at the new £24 million Academy which opened last September did not attend the public meeting in Moorends, but is reported to be prepared to meet the parents in private.
While concerns at the severity of the discipline regime have been raised in some quarters, others are supportive of the Academies stance. “My cousin loves the school,” a former Moorends resident told the Goole Times this week. “The facilities are brilliant and with the strict rules he can get on with it and enjoy his work.”
“Thorne is a different place now, especially at lunch times”, commented a local resident. “For everyone’s sake including the pupils, I hope Mr Brew does not back down.”
The Academy, one of the Government’s flagship City Academies is managed by the Emmanuel Schools Trust, and sponsored by the Vardy Foundation. It was built to replace the “failing” Thorne Grammar School – demolition of which has only recently been completed.