DESPITE the harsh weather, more than 100 parents and supporters turned out to protest outside Bollin Primary School this morning.

On Thursday February 23, parents calling for recently-appointed headteacher Michelle Brindle to be removed from her post staged a demonstration outside the Bowdon school.

The protest is a show of solidarity for striking teachers, whose first day of industrial action over workload disputes begins today.

Parents carried placards with messages such as “We love Bollin Teachers”, “Save our School”, and “Taxi for Brindle”.

The protest was co-ordinated by Bollin Parent Engagement Group, who are taking “motion of no confidence”-style action against the headteacher, who was appointed in September 2016.

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Protestors at Thursday's demo outside Bollin Primary School

The parents group are running a petition calling for the Mrs Brindle to be sacked, which has attracted almost 900 signatures to date.

Julie Saunders, of the Bollin Parent Engagement Group, said: "The protest this morning was attended by around 100 parents and supporters, despite the impact of Storm Doris.  

"There was passionate support for the NUT teachers striking, and we were also joined by other staff who belong to other unions before they went into work.  Support was also bolstered by previous parents, pupils and staff too.  

"The atmosphere was good natured but committed, with dozens of parents who couldn’t attend also passing on their support.  Over half of pupils were kept off school due to parent concerns over safeguarding.

"This concern was exacerbated after the revelation this morning that Trafford Music, who Mrs Brindle had advised would lead a music workshop today, were no longer able to come in.  

"We are still unclear how the handful of interim or supply teachers, leadership team and Teaching Assistants have been allocated to look after children who did attend the school today."

The school has been rocked by a number controversial claims and incidents recently, including a formal warning notice from council chiefs to the governing body over a “serious breakdown” in the way the school is governed.

They said 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”.

The council has the power to step in if they feel the school is does not comply with its requirements.

Up to 16 teachers have been working to rule since November 2016.

However, this morning there was also support for the headteacher at the school gates.

Parents who wish for the Mrs Brindle to remain at the school were handing out “myth-busting” documents to fellow parents.

The parents claim that Mrs Brindle is being targeted in a smear campaign and that they have every confidence in her leadership capabilities.

A counter petition supporting the headteacher’s position has been set up by the Bollin Positive Parents group, who say they are keen to dispel the “rumours and hearsay” around her management methods.

They disagree with the strike, saying that the school needed support, not industrial action.

A spokesperson for Bollin Postive Parents said: "We are so proud that Mrs Brindle managed to keep the school open today so that our children still have a valuable learning experience despite the disruption caused by the NUT.

"We hope that the situation can be resolved quickly before our children are disadvantaged again by this unnecessary strike action."

Headteacher Mrs Brindle said: “Due to unforeseen circumstances Trafford Music Service were unable to attend today, so we have instead provided an enrichment day consisting of art, dance and specialist PE, which the children have enjoyed. 

"Everyone involved in today was aware of the strike. We have implored the NUT to suspend strike action and we are still open to discussion and recommend ACAS lead these.  

"There is no blame attached to those choosing to strike. This is a national issue that the NUT union have raised and is impacting us locally. The leadership team and Governing Board, with the help of other Trafford Heads are doing everything that we can to minimise the impact on our community by keeping the school open.

"We are one hundred per cent committed to the education of the children. I’d like to thank the people behind the petition supporting myself and the school.”   

Bollin Chair of Governors Tony Field said: “The newly elected governing body of the Bollin Primary School acknowledges that there is a backlog of paperwork which was inherited from the previous governing body. We are working through each individual case and plan to have all outstanding issues resolved as soon as possible.”