TRAFFORD's Labour group is continuing to call for an independent investigation into the council’s handling of events at a Trafford school that has been through a year of turmoil.

During a turbulent period for the 460-pupil Bollin Primary in Bowdon, the school was subject to an emergency closure at the end of February 2017, after a combination of parental complaints and strike action by school staff led to the departure of the headteacher appointed in May 2016.

A gathering of parents and staff at the school in the hours following the headteacher’s departure also saw a dozen staff suspended.

This was followed by a damning Ofsted report and the school was placed in 'special measures'.

But the Labour group says its repeated requests for an independent investigation have been refused by council chiefs.

Councillor Jane Baugh, shadow spokesperson for children’s services, said: “The parents, children, past governors and teachers have been subjected to an extremely stressful and disruptive year. It is only through an independent investigation that lessons can be learnt and we can ensure this never happens again – to any school, in Trafford and beyond.

“There are so many unanswered questions, but the fact that the council has simply ignored requests for an independent investigation is an absolute disgrace.”

She repeated her call for an independent inquiry at a full council meeting.

But Cllr Mike Whetton, a member of the Executive on Conservative-controlled Trafford Council, said he was not convinced of the necessity for such an inquiry: "I am aware an investigation has been carried out by a distinguished retired police officer."

He added: "I believe a rapid turnaround is being achieved by the leadership that is in place there."

Cllr Baugh claimed later that the inquiry that has taken place had been confined to looking at teachers' grievances and suspensions.

She said an inquiry was needed to answer a range of questions:

* Were all necessary checks completed by council officers prior to the appointment of the previous headteacher?

* Did the council follow its own processes and procedures in its monitoring of Bollin Primary School? In particular, did it follow its Framework for Monitoring, Challenge, Support and Intervention in Schools, published in September 2016?

* Why did 15 teachers feel it necessary to take out grievances against the previous headteacher in the term following her appointment and have these grievances been fully investigated?

* What was the council’s role in the resignation of four governors, and the appointment of other, replacement governors put forward by the council, who were subsequently relieved of their posts?

* Were the opinions and experiences of staff, children and parents in the school during the previous headteacher’s tenure sought, listened to and acted upon?

* Was the conduct of the headteacher thoroughly investigated before any agreement and financial settlement was reached on her departure?

* Why does the Interim Executive Board, which replaced the governing body, still have no parent, teacher or community representation?

* Is the IEB independent and balanced given that a council officer, a former council officer and a Trafford Conservative Councillor are among its members?

* Were all actions taken at the earliest possible opportunity, in an effort to prevent the wasting of public funds?

* Where is the evidence that all necessary actions have been taken to ensure such a situation never happens again?

Cllr Whetton, who recently took over his role as the Executive member for children's services, has agreed to meet Cllr Baugh to discuss the issues.