PARENTS calling for a recently-appointed headteacher to be axed claim their children are being exposed to a climate of “uncertainty and fear” at school – but other parents say the head is a victim of a “witch hunt”.

Bollin Primary School, in Bowdon, has been rocked by a number of contentious claims about leadership over the past two weeks.

A parent-led petition of “no confidence” in headmistress Michelle Brindle’s ability to lead and manage the school has attracted almost 800 signatures to date and parents are to protest outside the school gates tomorrow.

The protest is a show of solidarity for 19 members of the school’s teaching staff, taking strike action over unresolved workload disputes tomorrow.

Parents said that, although the school has faced challenges over the past decade, including a school expansion and shift in teaching method, Mrs Brindle’s appointment has had a “catastrophic” impact on the school.

Mrs Brindle stepped into the role of headteacher at the “outstanding” primary school in September 2016.

Since then, up to 16 members of staff submitted grievances about “workloads, excessive scrutiny and an obsession with the capture and manipulation of data relating to pupil progress which has become a significant impediment to good teaching and learning”. Dozens of parents also submitted complaints to the governing body.

And yesterday, we revealed that council chiefs issued a formal warning notice to governors at the school over concerns a “serious breakdown” in the way the school is run is putting standards of performance in jeopardy.

They found “clear evidence” that numerous grievances from staff have not been dealt with by the governing body nor parents’ complaints responded to in a “timely and appropriate manner”.

Worried parents claims that the ongoing issues are having an adverse impact on their children. They said that SEN children have lost support, that a year 5 class has been without a regular teacher for over six weeks, following a staff suspension, and that dozens of parents are even considering moving their children to different schools.

Sinead Barry, a mother of year 1 and 5 children, said: “I am deeply concerned about the future of the Bollin under Mrs Brindle’s leadership. Despite raising concerns at every level - up to and including central government - we are continually referred back to our dysfunctional governing body. If decisive action is not taken now, our fantastic teachers will start handing in their notice in droves at Easter. We’ve got six weeks.”

Vicky Valdes, whose child is in year 1, said: “As a local resident who is actively involved in the community park group, I can hardly believe the decline in the spirit and harmony of the school community since September. Poor management and communication has led us to a climate of uncertainty and fear. The school’s nurturing ethos is under threat. I really hope that, with further scrutiny from the authorities, the situation is resolved speedily.”

Dr Karen Barclay, ward councillor for Bowdon Vale and former governor at the school, said that the teachers at Bollin Primary School are “hardworking and dedicated”.

“They would not have decided to take strike action lightly,” she added. “The current situation is distressing for the entire school community and I hope there can be a speedy resolution. The Council is working hard to help bring this about.”

But Mrs Brindle has had support from other parents at the school.

Bollin Positive Parents set up a counter petition on Monday, stating they have belief in the head’s ability to lead and calling for parents to stop “interfering” with her style of management.

Parents in the support camp are opposed to strike action, claiming the school needs support rather than industrial action.  

Bollin Positive Parents said the headteacher, senior management team, teachers and teaching assistants should be left to deal with their professional issues without interference from parents.

“There has been a lot of gossip, rumour, speculation and half-truths put out about the situation at school,” a spokesperson said. “This is now becoming extremely serious for our children’s future education, so we need to address the myths and look at the facts.”

The group said that that accusations about bullying in the school are unfounded, and highlighted that tomorrow’s strike was due to “workload disputes” not intimidation. They added that the majority of staff will not be striking and that other unions are not backing the action.

“Since September last year, Mrs Brindle has focused on anti-bullying and e-safety initiatives, bought new technology, including 56 iPads, drones and robotics, to support the national computing curriculum and is providing children with a science lab – making your children the first primary school children in the North West to have state-of-the-art science facilities,” added a spokesperson.

“If Mrs Brindle is forced resign due to an unnecessary, and highly personal, vendetta, we will never know how much more she could do for our children. And, because this action would effectively make her unemployable, for anyone else’s children.”

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, also voiced her support for the headteacher and said a “horrible atmosphere” of fear and intimidation has been created at the school.

She said that parents who share her sentiment are being “shouted down” by those who oppose her leadership and that chants of “Sack the Head” took place at a parent meeting.

“They are whipping up activism and no one seems to have any concrete facts about why this is - hearsay and rumour abound,” said the parent.

“Anyone who says anything positive about the head is shut down in the playground at pickup times. One person was berated for making a positive comment.”

The parent said her child has special educational needs and that the provision has been “fantastic” under Mrs Brindle.

“Mrs Brindle has introduced a fantastic curriculum,” she added. “The school's published results have been slipping year-on-year and whilst it is a fantastic school, standards and achievement are slipping.”

She added: “This is a witch hunt. Mrs Brindle is focused on the children and not the parents. Her reputation is being damaged and why, parents don't like her style of management. Well some do but are afraid to say because they will be verbally attacked if they do.”

Speaking about tomorrow’s strike, Mrs Brindle said: “The Senior Leadership Team at school would like to reassure parents that we have sufficient staffing levels in place to cover tomorrow’s strike.

“We are doing everything we can in our power to minimise disruption to the children’s school day and we are looking forward to spending time with Trafford Music Services, who are coming in to deliver practical music workshops across the school. We hope we will be able to resolve issues with staff and parents to avoid any future strike action.”