PARENTS of pupils at a Rhyl school whose headteacher and deputy remain absent have highlighted bullying and a lack of communication as some of the problems they claim their children have encountered.

On December 1, 2022, both members of staff at Christ the Word Catholic School were first confirmed as absent.

The school’s website still lists its headteacher as Amanda Preston and deputy head as Joe White, as it did on December 1.

In their absence, Bernadette Thomas has taken on the role of acting headteacher.

The school, on Cefndy Road, was put in special measures following an Estyn report published in July, after an inspection took place in May.

The council has not said why the head and deputy are absent.

However, parents have spoken out about issues they have experienced at the school.

The Journal spoke to four parents, three of whom still have children attending the school, with the fourth choosing to move their child due to the “mental impact” they said being at Christ the Word had on them.

All four parents, who each chose to be kept anonymous, said there has been a lack of communication and transparency from the school regarding the absences since they were first reported.

Though one parent praised the school and the support it has provided their children with, other issues raised included bullying, a lack of pastoral support, and safeguarding concerns.

None of the parents that the Journal spoke to were aware of the reasons behind the absences of the head and deputy, or the length of time that they will not be in school for.

When approached by the Journal, Denbighshire County Council could not provide any further clarity on both why the members of staff are absent, and for how long they will not be in school.

If you are a parent of a pupil at Christ the Word Catholic School and would like to talk the Journal, feel free to email matthew.chandler@newsquest.co.uk.

Parent 1

“The school has mentioned nothing to parents at all about the situation (regarding the head and deputy's absences); they just disappeared.

"I have never met either of them, even though my child is struggling in school. I think something seriously needs doing.

“The school are quick enough punishing the children, instead of sitting them down and trying to find a reason for the behaviour.

“Some staff are lovely, but others shouldn’t be in the teaching profession.”

Parent 2

“I would say that yes, unfortunately, we’ve had hardly any information as to what’s happening regarding this matter.

“But my children and I are really happy with the school. They all love going to school and are doing really well.

“My eldest is currently doing his GCSEs and is getting fantastic results. The teachers there have been fantastic with all of my children and I really can’t thank them enough.

“They have been understanding and supportive. I’ve had meetings with my children’s head of year when I’ve asked for them and many corresponding emails.

“My youngest loves the basketball and football club they offer after school.”

Parent 3

“I’ve not heard anything (from the school about the head and deputy’s absences).

“Nothing is done at the school with bullying. They would rather keep the bullies in and the good ones out. I know many parents that have pulled their children out because nothing is done.

“There's no wellbeing department for children with mental health (issues); they are just put in exclusion with the naughty kids.”

Parent 4

“My child is not in that place anymore. I wouldn’t put them through another minute there.

“After visiting a doctor, I was advised to change my child’s school because of the mental impact the school had had on them.

“The school allows endless bullying. When asked about it, you get fobbed off.

“A number of complaints had been made, including the fact that (at the end of the day) a staff member just let children randomly walk away from them without checking who (which adult) they where going to.

“It was a member of staff I had never seen before. He was stood by the door, and the children were just walking off by themselves to parents.

“People were in the playground waiting for children, but there were no efforts made to make sure children were going to the correct adult.

“A female member of staff let children out one by one, checking who they were going to, but he didn’t.

“I found this to be a major safeguarding concern, which was reported to higher up. I was left with no feedback on any action taken.”

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A council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the headteacher and deputy headteacher are currently not in school, and that Bernadette Thomas is the acting headteacher.

“Additional support is in place to ensure the continuation of education and support for the whole school community.”

Last month, another parent of a pupil at Christ the Word told the Journal of a lack of communication with parents about what they called “very worrying” issues at the school.

In one incident, the parent said, was when pupils were sent home on November 25 due to a water shortage, but that this decision was not communicated to parents.

Scrutiny meeting to take place

The council is due to present its response and plan of action to the Estyn report when its Performance Scrutiny Committee next meets on January 26.

It is expected to determine regular monitoring arrangements for the agreed actions to address the report’s recommendations, with a view to:

• Securing continual improvement in all aspects of the school’s work to ensure that all pupils are supported to achieve their full potential.

• Ensuring that the lessons learnt by all stakeholders are applied across all schools in Denbighshire as they introduce the new curriculum.

The £23million school opened in September 2019 and caters for children between three and 16 years old.

It replaced secondary school, Blessed Edward Jones Catholic School, and primary school, Ysgol Mair.

Christ the Word was also approached for comment.