Education bosses ‘focused on improvement’ over Whitby School concerns

​Parents in Whitby have been told that “sustained improvement and positive outcomes” are the focus for Whitby School after its application to convert to academy status with the Wonder Learning Partnership was not supported.

​At a recent meeting in Whitby, attended by more than 60 parents, students, and local leaders, many said they were “immensely disappointed” and felt “back at square one” over the decision.

​​It follows the controversial amalgamation of Eskdale School and Caedmon College Whitby – despite intense campaigning against the plan by many parents – which was approved by North Yorkshire Council and saw the creation of Whitby School in 2024.

​Speaking at a full meeting of NYC, Cllr Neil Swannick said: “The chair of the board of governors of Whitby School has recently written to parents, carers, and students to inform them that the application for Whitby School to convert to academy status with the Wonder Learning Partnership has not been supported by the Department for Education.

​“Bearing in mind that this unexpected decision follows a difficult period of amalgamation of two secondary schools in Whitby, would the executive member please inform me as the Whitby Streonshalh division councillor, and the many people in Whitby and the surrounding areas who are likely to be affected, what is the ‘plan B’?

​“In particular, what additional support and resources will be made available to the school governors and leadership?”

Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, executive member for education, said: “As you noted, the DfE did not support the academy conversion to the Wonder Learning Trust Partnership due to reasons of geographical coherence.

​“As a maintained school, Whitby School benefits from a comprehensive programme of school improvement support, including monitoring and challenge provided by the local authority team, in addition to support through partnership organisations.”

​At the full meeting of the council on Wednesday, May 20, she added: “The school improvement team is working closely with the governors and school leaders to ensure that the school improvement support is closely aligned to the school’s current priorities.

​“Our shared focus remains on securing sustained improvement and positive outcomes for pupils through arrangements that are coherent, proportionate, and sustainable.

​“I have spoken to the head teacher and the governors of the school, and I would really like to thank them and the staff for the sterling work they are doing as champions for Whitby and for the pupils of the school. Because, as some of you know, being governors yourselves, it’s a very demanding role, especially in today’s world.

​“So, I’d like to thank them, and we will continue to work closely with them, and I am going to visit the school as well to reassure them.”