Mums' anger as Sheffield primary school class has 10 different teachers since September

Angry mums fear their children's education is suffering after a Sheffield primary school class had 10 different teachers since September.
Parents of Year Four at Hatfield Academy are unhappy that the class has had 9 different teachers this year. Picture: Andrew RoeParents of Year Four at Hatfield Academy are unhappy that the class has had 9 different teachers this year. Picture: Andrew Roe
Parents of Year Four at Hatfield Academy are unhappy that the class has had 9 different teachers this year. Picture: Andrew Roe

Parents of Year 4 children at Hatfield Academy in Firth Park say they have made official complaints about the situation and want a meeting with headteacher Charlotte Blencowe to discuss the situation.

The school – which is in special measures – has two Year 4 classes with around 30 children in each.

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One class has had the same teacher all year but the other has been served by a number of temporary teachers.

Diana Turner, whose eight-year-old daughter attends the school and is in the affected class, said: “Everybody is saying all the kids’ grades have all gone down.

“It is really not fair.”

Another mum, whose son is in the Year 4 class and asked not to be named, said: “It is a temping agency they are employing to teach our kids.

“With 10 teachers, kids are going to test their behaviour with each one. My son’s behaviour has changed completely.”

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She said parents want a meeting with school bosses about the situation.

The mum said: “We want some form of explanation as to what is happening.

“All of us as parents need a meeting together to express our concerns and get some answers.”

A spokesman for Reach4, the organisation which has recently taken over running the school from the HBH Academy Trust, said: “Hatfield Primary Academy formally joined Reach4 on 1 May.

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“We have, however, been working closely with the head in the months leading up to this, and what is very clear is that she is making excellent progress in ensuring that the school improves rapidly and comes out of special measures.”

The spokesman added: “Part of this process is about addressing under-performance which has led to some staffing changes.

“Whilst these changes can be unsettling, they are essential to ensuring that every child in Hatfield has the very best education during their time with us.”