School denies governor rumours

A concerned parent contacted the Observer after learning that six school governors have stood down since mid April.

It has been claimed the parents were not informed of the resignations.

The parent, who did not want to be named, said: “We pay our fees and have a right to know.

“Is this the next private school about to go under?

“Why are parents always the last to know when something like this happens?

“There are many more anxious parents like myself who have our kids future to think about.”

But headmaster Roger Clark has reassured parents, saying the resignations were for a variety of reasons, not due to the financial situation at the school, which he described as ‘robust’.

Roger Clark, headmaster, said: “We can confirm that one governor resigned due to ill health after more than 15 years of service in mid April.

“Four other governors subsequently resigned for a variety of reasons - including pressure of business commitments - during the Easter holidays and another governor resigned on May 19 for personal reasons.

“All the departing governors have expressed their continued support for the school as it enters its centenary year.

“We would like to point out that none of these resignations were based on the financial situation at the school, which remains exceedingly robust, nor does it reflect on the educational direction the school is taking.

“The prep and senior school numbers for September are excellent with a waiting list for places at the senior school.

“In fact the numbers are the highest at both the prep and senior schools for some years and we have recently opened new premises just off Battle High Street to cater for the expansion.”

Mr Clark admitted the school did not issue a statement to parents about the resignations.

He said: “Companies House and the Charity Commission were notified of the resignations when they occurred and their records updated.

“Staff were all informed immediately and the school’s website was also amended to reflect the changes.

“I discussed the resignations with several parents and it was felt that as the composition of the board of governors does not in any way affect the day to day running of the school, it was deemed to be not particularly relevant, so a statement to parents was not made.

“The board is currently in the process of recruiting a number of new governors and details will be circulated to staff and parents in due course.”