Many parents have raised concerns with me about the changes at Melksham Oak school.
I met with the school as soon as the problems were first raised.
I have been underwhelmed with the improvements made since my original meeting.
When the recent changes happened I requested another urgent meeting with representatives from The White Horse Federation (WHF) and Melksham Oak. This was in response to recent changes in the management which came as a surprise to most and several concerns that parents and staff have raised directly to me including bullying, SEND approach, staff morale, poor communication with parents, staff shortages and many other topics.
Three people from White Horse Federation, Moira Lafferty the new chair of the new Interim Academy Board and also Executive Head David Cooper were at the meeting to explain the recent changes that have been implemented and allow me to raise the issues that residents have contacted me about. I was very clear about just how much concern there is from a number of parents, pupils, and staff about the management of the school.
I separately went to Devizes school to meet with David Cooper one on one, David has been appointed the new Executive Headteacher of both schools.
I have been assured that the team absolutely share my desire for all at Melksham Oak to achieve their full potential in an environment that supports their education. Some parents and local residents have raised concerns with me that the swift and dramatic change to the board will lead to less accountability - the WHF were clear that these fears will not be realised. They stated that we will see the new board more focussed and active and in response to criticism of the White Horse Federation avoiding scrutiny.
I raised many of the specific concerns shared with me such as SEND provision and also behaviour in the school. I have been sent the following information for parents who need support with SEND pupils:
- Helen Sanders is the SENCO. Helen joined the school at the beginning of this term, moving from another school in the Trust. Helen is an experienced SENCO and Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Tim James is the Trust Lead for SEND. Tim is a highly experienced senior leader with a specialism in Inclusion and SEND. Tim joined the Trust this year, having been a Director of Inclusion for a MAT in his previous role. Tim has the strategic oversight of SEND across the Trust and provides expert advice, guidance, and training in SEND to staff within the Trust.
In addition to Helen and Tim we have a SENCO who has been employed three days a week for the remainder of this academic year to support the transition of Year 6 pupils to Melksham Oak in readiness for September 2024.
The Trust also has a strong SENCO network that is the platform to share expertise and support each other. Two Senior SENCOs from local Melksham schools regularly provide support to Melksham Oak.
If a parent would like to contact the school with a query about SEND, the following email address can be used: [email protected]
I know the Federation have been making these changes because they believe they are in the best interest of the school. However, I was very clear that I understood why parents and local residents are raising concerns following several recent changes in the management of the school. I emphasised again to the WHF that communication with staff, pupils and parents alike needs to be much better to share their vision, explain changes and bring people with them.
Some parents have contacted me about poor behaviour and bullying. I was told that there have been improvements in levels of behaviour across the school, pupils are continuing to earn merits for their respective houses and the corridors are being staffed on a rota basis in breaks to ensure good behaviours are upheld in toilets and communal areas. I stressed the need to communicate plans and work to tackle this work with parents.
I know a number of parents have raised concerns about βsharingβ a Headteacher with Devizes, so I raised this. The WHF outlined that the new Head David Cooper will be an Executive Head rather than a conventional Headteacher, meaning that the WHF will be expanding the senior leadership team underneath with a new Associate Head in Melksham, who will be hired by September. This will bolster the senior resource to run the school. David Cooper comes with an strong reputation and has been at Devizes School since September where he has helped resolve many of the issues that the school was facing which were very similar to Melksham Oak. I spent a long time with him and raised the issues that parents and staff have alerted me to, it was very apparent that he understood the challenges and wants to ensure there is an excellent level of communications with parents and that the issues are tackled head on, so children can thrive and achieve their very best.
The following email address has been provided for parents who wish to raise concerns: [email protected] and in addition to this here is the link to the contact us page of the schoolβs website: https://www.melkshamoak.wilts.sch.uk/contact The contact page provides details on how to raise a concern.
I recognise the degree of concern and will continue to monitor this and amplify your voices to the school and WHF and Executive Head David Cooper. If we do not see the changes that parents and pupils expect then I will arrange a meeting for a collection of parents with the Education Secretary.
The most important thing is the pupils and ensuring they are getting the excellent education that they deserve. I will do everything I can to ensure this.
I will always support the school and the good work it does, but we cannot shy away from tackling these challenging issues.
