Parents hit out at Worthing High academy move claim (From The Argus)

Parents hit out at Worthing High academy move claim

11:40am Friday 8th June 2012 in News By Ben James

Buy this photo » Parents and children protesting outside Worthing High School

Parents have hit out at an MP’s claim that there have been “very few objections” to their school’s planned move to become an academy.

Governors at Worthing High School last week voted in favour of converting the school into an academy.

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton said that he was “glad”, adding that only one constituent had approached him in opposition to the move.

He added: “I gather that very few objections were received by the school during the consultation period.”

However, parents have said that his claim could not be further from the truth, adding that they have already collected a 500-signature petition against the plans.

Parent Corianda Sweetman said: “That is absolutely not the case. We have hundreds who are either against or have concerns about the plans.

There are a lot of very frustrated people who feel this has been rushed through and we don’t feel like we are being listened to

Parent Corianda Sweetman

“There are a lot of very frustrated people who feel this has been rushed through and we don’t feel like we are being listened to.

“They think that this will just go away but it won’t.”

Debbie Woudman, the chair of the school’s Parents’ Forum, said: “There is a great deal of concern around the plans.

“We don’t feel that we have been given enough information to be comfortable with a decision and we will continue to do whatever it takes to get the best for our children.”

A spokesman for Mr Loughton said that he had heard of very few complaints but was happy to listen to parents and take note of their concerns. To contact the MP email loughtont@parliament.uk.