A rallying call has been issued for people to get behind education in the town – after plans for Whitby School to convert to academy status failed.
In a letter to parents, sent out on Wednesday, it was revealed the application for Whitby School to join the Wonder Learning Partnership had “not been supported”, in a move confirmed to governors by the Department for Education Regions Group.
As of August 31, Whitby School will no longer continue its relationship with the Wonder Learning Partnership, which has been providing executive leadership to Whitby School.
Richard Fluin, chair of the governing board, said the priority was now to make leadership arrangements with the support of the local authority, North Yorkshire Council, for September onwards.
In his letter to parents, seen by The Anchor, Mr Fluin wrote: “Following confirmation from the Department for Education Regions Group that the application for Whitby School to convert to academy status with the Wonder Learning Partnership has not been supported, the governing board has taken the decision not to extend the Memorandum of Understanding with Wonder Learning Partnership beyond its natural end date of 31 August 2026.”
In July 2024, WLP, which had been working with the then three Whitby schools since the previous term, announced Whitby School would be the new identity as the three sites became two.
This followed the closure of Eskdale School and its merger with Caedmon which had prompted strong opposition from parents and residents at the time.
Mr Fluin added: “I recognise that this represents a further change for our staff, pupils, parents and families, but would like to offer reassurance that the governing board is committed to ensuring stability and continuity across aspects of the school’s work during this period of transition.”
When new head and leadership arrangements have been made, Mr Fluin said they will be shared with parents in a further update and the governing body would be revisiting academisation “at an appropriate time”.
It is the latest blow to parents who have expressed concern about the future of education in Whitby for a number of years.
Speaking at the annual Town Assembly at The Coliseum on Wednesday night, Terri-Anne Jones, whose daughter is in year eight, appealed for councillors and the wider public to get involved in the fight to have a secure education system for current and future pupils.
She said: “This means the children who are in school will have their fourth headteacher in two years. When they amalgamated the two schools, we were promised stability, we were promised the kids would have specialist teachers, that it was the best for education in Whitby.
“It has not happened, there is uncertainty. Teachers who don’t know who their boss is, a thousand pupils in school now and another 200 year six pupils coming up who will not get the best education.”
Ms Jones said Wednesday’s announcement had left parents frustrated and unsure what to do next.
She added: “We can take this as a reset. The community could have input under this re-start, but we can’t let the kids down anymore – this is the town’s future.
“Let’s remind people, even those who don’t have children in the school that we all have a voice, we care about the town’s future.”
Darren Archibald said a crisis meeting needs to be called with representatives from the school, local authorities, parents and the wider public.
Mayor of Whitby, Sandra Turner who chaired the Town Assembly said ‘people power’ can make a difference, referring to plans to close Whitby’s Cliff Lift being put on hold due to public opposition and protests.
Coun Turner added: “It is a serious situation, we were all there when we were promised it would be better.
“As a town council, we will be feeding things back. It is time for people to wake up, it is surprising how that can work – just look at the cliff lift.”
Wonder Learning Partnership and the Department for Education have been approached for comment.
