WELL done Mr Steve Ratcliff and the rest of the governing body of Woodhey High School. By their collective indecision - some might even regard it as incompetence - they now need to appoint not only a new headteacher, but a deputy as well.

The current deputy head, Mrs Dunning, who in our opinion was the most qualified and worthy candidate when the position of headteacher was considered, has announced that she is to leave Woodhey to take up a more demanding role with an adjoining local authority. And why should anyone be surprised after the public humiliation she must have suffered? We wish her every success in her new position.

On the subject of selection, surely it would be wrong if teaching colleagues of applicants were members of the panel involved in choosing the new headteacher. Any such person would need to have declared an interest and stood aside to ensure fairness. Our understanding is that Mrs Dunning, who was unsuccessful when the position of headteacher was first considered, didn't always agree with all aspects of the proposed "new vision" for Woodhey, whatever that is. But a majority of parents and teachers now question why Woodhey is not endeavouring to continue the excellent results achieved by the combined leadership over the past 20 years of the departing Mr Bennett and Mrs Dunning. It is apparent that, under their management, the school has gone from strength to strength and is held in very high regard in the wider community and in industry.

Numerous rumours abound "at the school gate", among them the suspicion that the governors are considering selling the school fields for housing. Bearing in mind that the local authority is to fund a new school hall over the next two years, why are we even considering selling our "crown jewels", and what will the benefit be to our children? Is it possible that Mrs Dunning proved to be an unacceptable candidate - in the eyes of the governing body - at the final interview for a new head, because she opposed the sale of the school land?

Can we ask when the governing body would be prepared to meet parents to discuss the appointments of the senior school management and to allay the obvious fears of everyone for the future well-being of the school and our children?

Because of the mess surrounding these issues, perhaps the whole governing body should resign to make way for persons committed to the well-being of the school.

VERY CONCERNED PARENTS

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