Parents worried about school with missing teachers

A primary school where parents have said none of the regular staff are in work say they are concerned for their children's education.

Six staff members are off sick and another has quit at the Hutchinson Memorial Church of England School in Checkley, Staffordshire, since late 2023, the parents said.

The school, which has about 70 pupils, was rated outstanding by Ofsted in 2016. Parents said inspectors are back to visit the school this week.

It is run by Uttoxeter Learning Trust, which said in a statement the welfare of pupils and staff was is its "absolute priority" and added it is using supply teachers from within the organisation.

One class had six different teachers in 10 days, the parents said.

Mum Kelly Rowland said: "It feels like you’re sending your child into a vulnerable situation, you don’t know any of the faces on the doors.

"I have questioned if my children would be safer at home with me."

Another parent who did not wish to be named said she has complained to Ofsted and the trust board.

She said: "After Christmas my youngest would cry every day saying she didn’t want to go to school.

"We’re at a loss really and we don’t seem to be getting any answers. We’ve had countless sleepless nights, it’s been awful."

One father said his son, who has special educational needs, was thriving until recently.

He said: "The previous teachers brought him on no end, he was practically at the level where he should be.

"He has steadily seen the staff disappear. We don’t want to take him out of school or find another one, we just want the teachers back."

A spokesperson for the trust said: "Unfortunately, we have had a number of staff from Hutchinson Memorial CE First School off sick and have been taking steps to support these staff as well as ensure the education of our children is not affected.

"We understand parents’ concerns, and as well as sending regular newsletters and responding to their queries about this issue, we have already met with a number of them to ensure they are fully informed and to reassure them that we are doing our very best to mitigate any impact."

The trust is "is investing in educational and financial support" for the school, the spokesperson added.

Ofsted said it does not comment on individual inspections.

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