We have been asked to clarify a report (TES, February 8) about New Manton Primary School, Nottinghamshire, which said that the headteacher, Bill Ball, had resigned following criticism from his local MP, John Mann.
Mr Ball had told governors in November 2007 he would retire in August 2008. Following the commencement of the process of advertising for a replacement, the MP discussed the school’s future with the local authority and met ministers to propose a federation with a second local school. After discussions with the local authority, Mr Ball resigned in January 2008.
Mr Mann asks us to make clear that at his discussions with the local authority and Government there was no discussion of Mr Ball’s tenure, as he had previously announced his retirement.
He believes that the subsequent Ofsted report, which specified special measures, supports his criticism of the school and that our report, which stated that the head had “almost total support from parents”, conflicts with Ofsted’s finding that “a significant majority of parents (had) reservations about their child’s rate of progress”.
We are happy to clarify Mr Mann’s position.
