The former chair of governors David Elliott, who resigned in May, knew things had to change in September 2015 and began to turn plans into action. Mr Elliott says despite approaches to Weston MP John Penrose and the Department for Education, they were left waiting for help which never came.

Governors worked to begin the process of signing up to a multi-academy trust for extra support but the help did not come fast enough.

Mr Elliott said: “In September to December, we started meeting with prospective trusts, including Priory Community School and Weston College. On January 18 the governing body agreed to join one of the trusts.”

Priory Community School principal Neville Coles is now fronting efforts to improve the school and this will include a new governance structure that works across the multi-academy trust. The new Executive Board Chair has taken the best of the Governors from both Priory and Worle with expertise in the education sector and will mould them into an effective body that can come alongside the two head teachers as a critical friend. Mr Elliott said: “Really good governors are staying on, four of them, and some of them have been governors for 25 years”:

• John Richardson
• Tony Roche
• Charmain Tucker
• Wendy Packer

As Worle School moves into the new academic year parents can raise any concerns or issues via the Chair of the Governors. The South Worle Lib Dem team would be happy to raise any issues for you.