Temporary head installed at Eldon Primary School ahead of academy conversion

Eldon Primary School. Credit: Blog Preston

A temporary headteacher has been installed at a troubled Preston school ahead of a planned conversion to an academy.

Eldon Primary School was issued with a Directive Academy Order by the Department for Education in September after an Ofsted inspection controversially saw the school reduced from a rating of Outstanding to Inadequate.

The report praised several elements of the education provided at the school but gave its final rating based on a breakdown in relationship between senior leadership and several parties including some parents and Lancashire County Council.

The headteacher and deputy headteacher at Eldon Primary School, who had been supported by outgoing governors at the school when they launched a blistering parting blow aimed at Lancashire County Council and some parents, have been absent since Monday, 28 October, which was the first day back in school after the Autumn half term.

Sarah Roach, the headteacher of St Mary and St Andrew’s Catholic Primary School in Barton, was temporarily brought in to provide leadership support in what the school described as a ‘very brief’ measure, Blog Preston understands.

In a letter to parents today, seen by Blog Preston, the school’s new Interim Executive Board chair Catherine Wallace announced the temporary appointment of Dayle Harrison as headteacher to ‘maintain strong leadership’ amid ‘ongoing staff absences’.

The letter said: “As you may know, we are experiencing some staff absences. To ensure we maintain strong leadership, we have enlisted the support of an experienced Executive Principal, Mr Dayle Harrison.

“With an impressive 33-year career in education within the North West, Mr Harrison brings a wealth of experience and deep commitment to our school community.”

Although today (28 November) is Mr Harrison’s first day in the job, Blog Preston understands he has been on site introducing himself to parents this week.

Star Academies, announced as the group that will manage Eldon Primary School in its new academy format, is expected to assume its responsibilities from 1 April, 2025. Lancashire County Council and the Department for Education will assist with the aim of making the process smooth.

The letter continued: “Star Academies was selected due to its proven record of sustaining and improving schools, its core values, and its ambitions for young people.”

But Lancashire County Council sources told Blog Preston they would not be taking an active, public role in the management of the school and refused to comment on concerns from parents over lack of communication.

As part of the process of communicating with parents from this stage, a stakeholder engagement document and questionnaire will be uploaded to the Eldon Primary School website and be available from tomorrow (29 November) until 17 January, 2025.

A stakeholder engagement meeting will also take place on Monday, 16 December, from 4.45-5.45pm to give parents the chance to meet Star Academies.

Lancashire County Council declined to comment on matters involving Eldon Primary School when contacted by Blog Preston. Star Academies and the Department for Education did not respond.

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.