Concern as headteacher and deputy suddenly absent from school

Concerns have been raised at the sudden absence of a headteacher and deputy head from a Merseyside school that recently moved out of special measures.

St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy (SEACA) in Whiston was recently celebrating after receiving an Ofsted outcome that isn’t inadequate for the first time since 2015. Following a recent inspection, the school moved to requiring improvement in all judgement areas.

But now there are concerns amongst parents at the situation at the top of the school. A letter has been sent to parents from the chief executive of the Pope Francis Catholic Multi-Academy Trust, which runs the Whiston School, explaining that headteacher Lee Peachey is taking time away from his role.

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The letter, from Andrew Dawson, states: “Following a very intense period for the school, Mr Peachey is taking some time away from SEACA for personal reasons. We don’t want this to disrupt the positive journey that the school is on, so we have acted quickly to secure an interim Headteacher to ensure that we have the capacity to continue to grow and thrive.”

He explained in Mr Peachey’s absence, Clare McKenna, who is currently deputy head at St Gregory’s Catholic High School in Warrington, will be joining the school. The letter states that Ms McKenna will “continue at SEACA for as long as is needed.”

Ms McKenna will work alongside Erin Wheeler in her role, having been working alongside Mr Peachey and the rest of the senior leadership team for several months. But as well as Mr Peachey’s absence from school, the ECHO understands that deputy headteacher Anna Kenny is also currently not at work in her role. A reason for her absence has not been provided.

Several parents have contacted the Liverpool ECHO to raise their concerns at the situation, which comes after more positive recent news for the school. Last week the ECHO reported on the improving situation at the struggling school, which had been in special measures since 2015 until the recent visit of Ofsted.

In the latest report, Ofsted found that the school had taken “effective action to address a legacy of weaknesses”.

Speaking after the Ofsted inspection, Mr Peachey said: “The fact that it has been the best part of a decade since our school was last graded as anything other than Inadequate really does speak volumes for the changes that needed to be made.

“Over recent times, but particularly since we joined the Trust, we have been systematically making the changes needed. It is because of the efforts of our whole community that there is much in the report that is a cause for celebration – and it is right that, after so effort and dedication, that we acknowledge what has been achieved.”

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