This once thriving school is in tatters.

That’s the verdict of the country’s school inspectors who visited the troubled Bollin Primary School in Bowden which hit the headlines in February last month when Trafford Council closed the school, following a strike by teachers over workloads and protests by parents.

Acoording to OFSTED, “events, fuelled by disagreements among staff and parents, have sullied the previously glowing reputation of Bollin in the community.”

OFSTED have recommended that the school requires special measures because it is failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education and the persons responsible for leading, managing or governing the school are not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement in the school.

The Inspection which was carried out in the first week of March, found that many parents and teachers have lost trust and confidence in the leadership of the school, that Pupils’ needs have been relegated amid a raft of parental complaints and staff grievances and that pupils achievement no longer sits at the heart of the school’s work.

In a damning critique the inspectors say

“This is a school in turmoil. It is broken. The current atmosphere of discord and mistrust among staff and parents is doing little to build bridges and re-establish Bollin at the heart of the community. Emotions are running high and uncertainties about the future abound. Everyone is operating on a day-to-day basis, greeting pupils with friendly smiles and ensuring that they are safe while in the building. Nevertheless, at this point in time, there is no strategic direction or long-term plan to mend relationships or tackle the considerable weaknesses in teaching.”

The report though has some good news to say.The interim headteacher, only in post for one week, when the Inspectors arrived, has steadied the ship quickly.

“She is winning over staff, parents and pupils through her calm and warm manner. Her focus on ensuring that pupils are safe and her frequent communication with parents has been effective. However, she is a lone voice at present. She has a clear understanding of the necessary steps required to improve the school, but has neither the time nor the support to implement change.”

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