We are writing as a group of parents and carers to raise concerns about the direction of recent leadership decisions and their impact on the wellbeing, accessibility, and community character of our school.
Our concerns are not about individual personalities, but about the cumulative effect of changes since September on families, children, and the school’s long-standing culture.
Key areas of concern:
1. Reduced parental inclusion and access
• Long-standing community traditions (whole-school Christmas performance and Decoration Day) were initially cancelled without consultation.
• Parental presence in school life now feels more restricted and tightly controlled than in previous years.
• Several parents report feeling hesitant to approach leadership with questions or suggestions.
2. Exclusion of working families
• The removal of an evening Christmas performance limits access for full-time working parents.
• Changes to wraparound care have removed flexible or emergency use, creating difficulty for families with unpredictable work or travel situations.
3. Loss of flexibility in wraparound provision
• Short-notice and emergency sessions have been removed.
• Families are charged for full sessions regardless of actual time used.
• These changes reduce the safety net that many parents (especially single parents) relied upon.
4. Financial and safeguarding reasoning lacking transparency
• Decisions have been justified using financial sustainability and safeguarding language, but parents have not been provided with clear data or guidance explaining why previous safe, well-attended practices are no longer viable.
5. Erosion of school identity, continuity, and culture
• Traditions that have shaped the school’s warm, family-like character are being treated as optional or temporary.
• Communications have indicated a future shift toward alignment with another school, rather than preservation of Thurleigh’s unique community culture.
• An assistant headteacher who was widely associated with the school’s established ethos and community relationships left with very short notice, which has added to families’ sense of instability and loss of continuity.
• A long-standing tradition of whole-school assemblies as shared community experiences appears to have changed, with one early assembly reportedly led solely by the headteacher and focused primarily on behaviour and consequences. Parents raised concerns that this shift in tone felt different from the school’s previous emphasis on collective values, celebration, and belonging.
6. Atmosphere and communication
• Parents have observed a change from collaborative, open dialogue to more top-down communication.
• Some staff interactions suggest discomfort when parents raise concerns.
⸻
We value this school deeply and want to work collaboratively. However, the current direction is causing distress and uncertainty among families. We are asking the governing body to give serious consideration to whether this leadership is the right fit for our school community. The concerns outlined above reflect a pattern of decisions that have diminished parental involvement, reduced flexibility for families, and dismantled traditions without clear justification or consultation. While we appreciate that probationary periods are intended to assess suitability, we believe the evidence gathered over recent months raises fundamental questions about alignment with our school’s values and community needs. We urge governors to prioritise the voices of parents, staff, and children in their decision-making, and to ensure that future leadership embodies the collaborative, inclusive, and community-centred ethos that has always been at the heart of Thurleigh Primary School.
24 Comments
I am concerned that further longstanding staff may leave. We chose to move our child to this school because of the lovely nurturing feel and longstanding wonderful staff. I am nervous that some of the new rules being introduced are creating a more authoritarian feel which was one of the reasons we chose to leave our child’s last school. I felt when we joined that all these strict rules/behaviour/consequences were not required at Thurleigh as it was so small and blessed with lovely caring staff. I would hate to see the Ethos change too much.
The sudden changes to wraparound care are a particular concern. These changes are going to significantly impact parents both financially and logistically, and it feels that the school is no longer working in partnership with families in the way it used to. Life does not always allow for military precision and ultimately it is the children who are going to suffer here. It feels fundamentally unsafe to have no provision for children whose parents are unexpectedly late for collection (and this will happen to most families who drive to Thurleigh at some point). Having some degree of flexibility reduces stress and keeps our children safe - I can’t understand why this isn’t the primary consideration.
I acknowledge the school’s error in disclosing parents’ email addresses and note that it has been reported to the ICO. I have deleted the email as requested. However, I must be clear that parents did not obtain this data unlawfully — it was disclosed directly by the school. The subsequent reference to criminal offences and the suggestion that parents may be “in breach” appears to shift responsibility away from the original administrative error. I would ask that future communications reflect the fact that this situation arose from a school mistake, and that parents who simply received the email are not addressed in a manner that implies wrongdoing.
The decisions being made are having a damaging impact. I feel the friendly community based school seems to being eroded away being replaced by a cold unfriendly atmosphere and changes being made without consultation and any thoughts of the consequences for the families.
The changes to wrap around care unfairly discriminate against working parents - finishing at five does not the reflect standard working patterns of many working families. Having to book sessions just to guarantee a slot could end up costing families hundreds of pounds, this discriminates against lower income families who do not meet the threshold for financial support. The short window that has been allowed before changes are implemented does not take into consideration changes to working contracts parents might have to make and shows a lack of understanding at how these changes will impact families. The lack of flexibility doesn’t reflect the day to day lives of families - this is a huge safe guarding concern, if I can not pick my child up for what ever reason - what happens?!
I feel so lucky that my kids went to Thurleigh school where they were nurtured & looked after by all the lovely staff . We moved to a village to bring up our children as a big part of village life is having a little school where there is a much more personal relationship between the kids , teachers & parents . The staff are able to really get to know the children individually on a much deeper level & they receive a much more one on one type of learning environment. The traditions are another reason that makes Thurleigh school so special and a firm favourite is definitely the nativity play in the church. There is something so magical about having it there and the children absolutely love it . My children will always have such fun , lovely memories of their time at Thurleigh Lower ( as it was then ) It is a sad time that so many schools are losing their identity & becoming so generic . Schools shouldn’t become a business they need to stay as the beating heart & soul of a community
I want our school to remain strong, welcoming, and supportive for all families.
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We are writing as a group of parents and carers to raise concerns about the direction of recent leadership decisions and their impact on the wellbeing, accessibility, and community character of our school.
Our concerns are not about individual personalities, but about the cumulative effect of changes since September on families, children, and the school’s long-standing culture.
Key areas of concern:
1. Reduced parental inclusion and access
• Long-standing community traditions (whole-school Christmas performance and Decoration Day) were initially cancelled without consultation.
• Parental presence in school life now feels more restricted and tightly controlled than in previous years.
• Several parents report feeling hesitant to approach leadership with questions or suggestions.
2. Exclusion of working families
• The removal of an evening Christmas performance limits access for full-time working parents.
• Changes to wraparound care have removed flexible or emergency use, creating difficulty for families with unpredictable work or travel situations.
3. Loss of flexibility in wraparound provision
• Short-notice and emergency sessions have been removed.
• Families are charged for full sessions regardless of actual time used.
• These changes reduce the safety net that many parents (especially single parents) relied upon.
4. Financial and safeguarding reasoning lacking transparency
• Decisions have been justified using financial sustainability and safeguarding language, but parents have not been provided with clear data or guidance explaining why previous safe, well-attended practices are no longer viable.
5. Erosion of school identity, continuity, and culture
• Traditions that have shaped the school’s warm, family-like character are being treated as optional or temporary.
• Communications have indicated a future shift toward alignment with another school, rather than preservation of Thurleigh’s unique community culture.
• An assistant headteacher who was widely associated with the school’s established ethos and community relationships left with very short notice, which has added to families’ sense of instability and loss of continuity.
• A long-standing tradition of whole-school assemblies as shared community experiences appears to have changed, with one early assembly reportedly led solely by the headteacher and focused primarily on behaviour and consequences. Parents raised concerns that this shift in tone felt different from the school’s previous emphasis on collective values, celebration, and belonging.
6. Atmosphere and communication
• Parents have observed a change from collaborative, open dialogue to more top-down communication.
• Some staff interactions suggest discomfort when parents raise concerns.
⸻
We value this school deeply and want to work collaboratively. However, the current direction is causing distress and uncertainty among families. We are asking the governing body to give serious consideration to whether this leadership is the right fit for our school community. The concerns outlined above reflect a pattern of decisions that have diminished parental involvement, reduced flexibility for families, and dismantled traditions without clear justification or consultation. While we appreciate that probationary periods are intended to assess suitability, we believe the evidence gathered over recent months raises fundamental questions about alignment with our school’s values and community needs. We urge governors to prioritise the voices of parents, staff, and children in their decision-making, and to ensure that future leadership embodies the collaborative, inclusive, and community-centred ethos that has always been at the heart of Thurleigh Primary School.
24 Comments
Please also note that there are no other breakfast/after school club provisions in the village and the sudden change may see a huge impact in parents/carers careers and working hours. The school have made it clear that there will be no flexibility or emergency bookings however many of us travel and sometimes this may be out of our control. The bell does not always ring at 8.50, therefore many of us use the breakfast club for 10 minutes in a morning to allow for travel to work - this previously cost £2 for two siblings per day, however just 10 minutes a morning will now cost £10 for two siblings per day - that is £50 per week/a minimum of £200 per week and not feasible.
I am concerned that further longstanding staff may leave. We chose to move our child to this school because of the lovely nurturing feel and longstanding wonderful staff. I am nervous that some of the new rules being introduced are creating a more authoritarian feel which was one of the reasons we chose to leave our child’s last school. I felt when we joined that all these strict rules/behaviour/consequences were not required at Thurleigh as it was so small and blessed with lovely caring staff. I would hate to see the Ethos change too much.
The sudden changes to wraparound care are a particular concern. These changes are going to significantly impact parents both financially and logistically, and it feels that the school is no longer working in partnership with families in the way it used to. Life does not always allow for military precision and ultimately it is the children who are going to suffer here. It feels fundamentally unsafe to have no provision for children whose parents are unexpectedly late for collection (and this will happen to most families who drive to Thurleigh at some point). Having some degree of flexibility reduces stress and keeps our children safe - I can’t understand why this isn’t the primary consideration.
I acknowledge the school’s error in disclosing parents’ email addresses and note that it has been reported to the ICO. I have deleted the email as requested. However, I must be clear that parents did not obtain this data unlawfully — it was disclosed directly by the school. The subsequent reference to criminal offences and the suggestion that parents may be “in breach” appears to shift responsibility away from the original administrative error. I would ask that future communications reflect the fact that this situation arose from a school mistake, and that parents who simply received the email are not addressed in a manner that implies wrongdoing.
The decisions being made are having a damaging impact. I feel the friendly community based school seems to being eroded away being replaced by a cold unfriendly atmosphere and changes being made without consultation and any thoughts of the consequences for the families.
The changes to wrap around care unfairly discriminate against working parents - finishing at five does not the reflect standard working patterns of many working families. Having to book sessions just to guarantee a slot could end up costing families hundreds of pounds, this discriminates against lower income families who do not meet the threshold for financial support. The short window that has been allowed before changes are implemented does not take into consideration changes to working contracts parents might have to make and shows a lack of understanding at how these changes will impact families. The lack of flexibility doesn’t reflect the day to day lives of families - this is a huge safe guarding concern, if I can not pick my child up for what ever reason - what happens?!
I feel so lucky that my kids went to Thurleigh school where they were nurtured & looked after by all the lovely staff . We moved to a village to bring up our children as a big part of village life is having a little school where there is a much more personal relationship between the kids , teachers & parents . The staff are able to really get to know the children individually on a much deeper level & they receive a much more one on one type of learning environment. The traditions are another reason that makes Thurleigh school so special and a firm favourite is definitely the nativity play in the church. There is something so magical about having it there and the children absolutely love it . My children will always have such fun , lovely memories of their time at Thurleigh Lower ( as it was then ) It is a sad time that so many schools are losing their identity & becoming so generic . Schools shouldn’t become a business they need to stay as the beating heart & soul of a community
I want our school to remain strong, welcoming, and supportive for all families.
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Please also note that there are no other breakfast/after school club provisions in the village and the sudden change may see a huge impact in parents/carers careers and working hours. The school have made it clear that there will be no flexibility or emergency bookings however many of us travel and sometimes this may be out of our control. The bell does not always ring at 8.50, therefore many of us use the breakfast club for 10 minutes in a morning to allow for travel to work - this previously cost £2 for two siblings per day, however just 10 minutes a morning will now cost £10 for two siblings per day - that is £50 per week/a minimum of £200 per week and not feasible.