Parents' shock at schooling

PARENTS have withdrawn their children from Collective Spirit free school in Chadderton

PARENTS who withdrew their children from Collective Spirit this year described the decision to send them to the free school as "the biggest mistake of their lives".

Gemma Twist withdrew her sons Kaden (14) and Elijah (13) from the school, claiming "poor standards" and a lack of provision for pupils with additional needs.

Kaden moved to Royton and Crompton School in December last year, while Elijah, who has been diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, is awaiting a transfer to Oasis Academy Oldham.

Gemma said she had been impressed with the school when it was first opened, believing she would be getting a "quality, private-school standard" education for her sons.

She said: "I took a gamble sending them to the school but it has been the biggest mistake of my life.

"It sounded great at first but all the promises have failed to materialise. I feel like I've let my sons down.

Concerns

"The school should be shut down as soon as possible, 100 per cent ­- it isn't fit for purpose as it is."

Gemma said her biggest concerns have been regarding Elijah's development as he needs additional support in lessons due to his conditions.

She said: "Almost every day they call me to ask me to pick him up because they say he's acting up.

"But he's not a naughty boy, he just isn't being supported and he isn't settled in lessons.

"If they gave him the one-to-one support that he needs and that he should be able to access he wouldn't be struggling.

"When Kaden came home from the Royton and Crompton at first he knew he was behind and he struggled.

"But they've worked with him and since he moved he's thrived.

"I hope Oasis will be able to do the same with Elijah."

Another parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said her daughter had been bullied at the school and was now in counselling after experiencing vile threats from fellow pupils.

The mum, who was able to find her daughter a place at an alternative school, said: "My daughter experienced bullying for two years including threats to kill and gouge her eyes out.

"They moved my daughter down into lower grade class and told my girls to leave school 15 minutes early to avoid the bully.

"My youngest used to come home crying saying that the classrooms were like riots and she was learning nothing.

"I am now also suffering anxiety due to two years of stress.

"They destroyed us as a family and it was the worst decision of my life sending them there."

Horrified

Another parent, who asked to remain anonymous to protect her daughter's identity, took the pupil out of school eight weeks ago after she became "horrified" by the standards.

The youngster is currently at home awaiting a chance to start at a new school.

The mum said: "I felt I had no choice but to take her out of school as I was scared for her.

"She had not progressed in the two-and-a-half years that she was there, if anything she has regressed.

"She'll never get that time back in her education but the school aren't being held to account.

"It is nothing like what we were promised when we first heard about it.

"There is bullying at the school, no discipline and pupils with special needs or conditions are not looked after.

"I'm heartbroken about what has happened but if we don't voice our concerns, it will all be brushed under the carpet."