Now in the past academy status was the Government's way of a last gasp saving of problem schools but this is no longer the case. Parkwood is an improving school, recently rated as a 'good school' by Ofsted so why would they go down this route?

The headmaster Chris Mallaband is a very amiable chap and does inspire confidence in his staff, his pupils, and in the parents of the same to the degree that personally I do worry for his future at the school, if it decides to pursue academy status.

Generally it seems that school's that go down this route change their leadership at the same time, and I can't see why Parkwood should lose for the benefit on another school area.


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The children of the area deserve the best, and at this moment it seems Chris has the formula to drive the school forward, he just needs the support.

So what is the point of my letter, well hopefully this will filter through to the powers that be in the LEA and at Edutrust (the organisation who want to take on the school - and why wouldn't they?) that chopping the head off the animal at this stage will simply kill the beast.

My advice to parents of pupils at the school, to parents of children at feeder schools for Parkwood and to everyone else connected with the school, is to get involved in the process and write to the powers that be to request they give an undertaking to the headmaster that he has a job for as long as he wants it.

It's the least they could do. If you need more information, simply contact the school, they will be happy to supply the information needed no doubt.

Mick Ibbotson, Piper Close, Sheffield 5

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