Concerns over thousands of suspensions at two schools

A mayor has arranged a public meeting to allow worried parents to air their concerns about thousands of suspensions at two schools.

The meeting was called after the Mayor of Camborne James Ball was contacted by about 50 parents about Camborne Science and International Academy (CSIA) and Pool Academy in Cornwall.

Almost 3,000 suspensions were handed out at one of the schools during the 2023/24 academic year, Department for Education figures show. Ball said the issue was "massive" and a meeting would take place on 25 February.

A spokesperson for Pool Academy and CSIA, both run by the Athena Learning Trust, said the schools were "committed to doing everything we can to help our students thrive".

The trust has been in the spotlight over the past few years for their strict rules, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

CSIA suspended 2,967 pupils during the 2023/24 academic year, the second highest number of any school in England.

Ball said parents had been raising concerns over behaviour, suspensions, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision and education, health and care plans.

He said the meeting would not offer "full answers to any issues" and it would "not be an attack meeting, we need to work constructively."

"When I started this, I didn't think it would be this big, it's massive," he said.

"I have been contacted by about 50 parents. It's a case of now working with the schools and the parents constructively to get everyone's voices heard."

He said there was confusion from parents about what the schools did and what the parents expected the schools to do.

"It's a complicated issue with many parents feeling their children are falling through the net for various reasons," he said.

"I think there are quite a few parents who feel their voices aren't being heard and their children are being let down.

"The most important thing in all this is that we're there for the young people."

The spokesperson for Pool Academy and CSIA said: "Our schools care deeply about the wellbeing and happiness of every young person and we recognise how important it is for parents and carers to feel heard and supported.

"If families have any concerns about their child and their experiences at school, we always encourage them to come to us directly. That way, we can work together quickly and sensitively to help them.

"We value our partnerships with parents, carers and other local stakeholders and we are committed to doing everything we can to help our students thrive. We're here to listen and families can always speak to their school if they need support or advice."

The public meeting is set to take place on Wednesday 25 February at 19:00 GMT, at Holmans Social Club, Pendarves Road, Camborne.

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