Bruntcliffe High School



Many readers will perhaps be aware of the problems emanating form Bruntcliffe High School over the last few months. The school had poor exam results released in August but it has been clear to parents for some time that there were structural problems and questionable leadership up at the school.

We were inundated with parents with legitimate concerns about the school and their children's education. We already shared many of their concerns and have been raising our worries with the relevant authorities for some time. Following the release of the poor exam results we demanded action from the Local Education Authority and joined with parents with their campaign for a change of direction for the school.

We have attended three public meetings arranged by the Parents campaign group. The sole Labour Morley Leeds City Councillor turned up after the first meeting had finished - he had a Labour Group meeting which was more important - didn't show at all for the second and crept in late for the third! We shared Parents concerns that we needed a new headteacher to take charge, the Governing Body dissolving and the school taken over - in the long term - by one of the two Academy schools in Morley, Morley or Woodkirk.

We are pleased to see that a new Executive Headteacher has been appointed - Dave Gurney. Dave has an excellent record down at Cockburn with good achievements on exam results and behaviour at a school that deals with a tough neighbourhood. His decision to attend the last public meeting was an important one and gave parents and students the opportunity to ask questions for over 40 minutes on all aspects of their concerns. Dave did not buckle at all and gave a clear message about his commitment and vision to put the school back on track. Dave Gurney and his management team have our full support as he works towards driving up standards and behaviour at Bruntcliife. His strategy will deliver a third excellent high school which in the long term - we hope - becomes a close partner with Morley or Woodkirk High Schools.

What should we make of this challenge? Perhaps we should listen to parents more who wanted a clear and traditional approach to teaching their children and not some pink rinsed trendy lefty approach. They want the best for their kids and that means making sure we get the best qualified children across Morley achieving the highest standards possible. This is the best way to give them real options and opportunities for the future.

Bruntcliffe has seen some dark days but is now clearly on the way up. It needs the minimum of political interference and the support of Morley parents if it is to succeed. I believe it will and we will have three excellent high schools covering the whole of Morley.