A meeting of parents, governors, staff, pupils and the wider community has been called to discuss the future of Whitby School after academy plans fell through.
It was announced last week a deal to academise Whitby School with the Wonder Learning Partnership wouldn’t be supported by the Department for Education, and the relationship between the two organisations would finish at the end of August.
Parents and the school community have expressed concern about what happens next, so a meeting has been called to take place next week.
Education campaigners in town say they are frustrated by the collapse of the academy route and want to know what arrangements are being put in place for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Terri-Anne Jones, whose daughter is in year eight at Whitby School, raised the issue at the annual Town Assembly, held last Wednesday, and has since organised the meeting.
She said: “Parents are trying to communicate with school and don’t feel they are getting anything back and this is one of our frustrations.
“We hope we can create a dialogue with the governing body, and the plan for September they can share with us – or at least give us a clue as to what is going on.”
While the meeting has been driven by parents of current secondary age pupils, it matters to parents of younger children and the wider community and it is expected to be well-attended.
Terri-Anne added: “It is for all schools, primaries, nurseries, everyone. If we don’t sort it, it will affect year groups coming up.
“Families with kids in primary schools might think it is nothing to do with them, but it is. It is their future as well.
“I think we are going to get a lot of people attending this time.”
The meeting is on Tuesday May 5 at the Rifle Club. Doors open at 6pm for a 6.30pm start.
