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27th
March
2004
Parent Slams Ellowes Science Standards Last Wednesday's North Dudley Area Committee Meeting was held at Gornal's Ellowes Hall School, where a disappointingly small audience heard a frustrated parent's heartfelt attack on the School's science teaching standards, together with criticism of the lack of parental access to headteacher Steve Byatt. Local businessman Paul Harris, whose three daughters attend Ellowes Hall, told the meeting that there was an appallingly high turnover of staff, especially in science subjects where supply teachers brought in to fill the gaps were sometimes incapable of conveying information in the English language. Mr. Harris' views were echoed by a wide cross section of the panel and audience. Meeting Chair Councillor Stanley, who lives yards from the School in Stickley Lane, said that he and Cllr. Millward agreed with Mr. Harris, while the Director of Education John Freeman acknowledged that there were difficulties which he hoped would be permanently resolved by Easter. The Chair of Governors at Ellowes Hall, Mr. Marsh, also admitted that the situation was 'unsatisfactory' and offered to meet Mr. Harris. However, he said that he believed that his school's staff turnover was 'no higher than elsewhere'. Councillor Ridney offered the experience of neighbouring Coseley, saying that supply teaching standards were not good there either. Asked if he had been able to speak to the headteacher about his concerns, Mr. Harris stated that when one tries to approach Mr. Byatt through normal channels 'you can't get where you want to go', whether the issue was bullying or teaching standards. Cllr. Stanley again concurred with Mr. Harris' observations, saying that he and Cllr. Millward had experienced 'the exact same situation'. Speaking to the Express and Star yesterday, Mr. Byatt rejected Mr. Harris' allegations regarding supply teacher English skills and explained that the shortage of qualified science teachers was a national issue. newsdesk@yampy.co.uk. --> |
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