Resign call to head in row
A Shropshire mother says a headteacher who cancelled the last two days of school for the final year should admit he made a mistake or resign.
Upset pupils have flooded the Shropshire Star website with their comments.
Robert Hall, headteacher of the Blessed Robert Johnson School in Wellington, told Year 11 pupils, aged 15-16, they had just completed their last day at the school on Wednesday, two days earlier than planned.
They claimed they were unable to say goodbye to friends or teachers and can now only return for their GCSE exams. The pupils claimed the headteacher only told them of his decision at the end of the day to avoid any celebrations.
Mr Hall has defended his decision and said they have had, and will have plenty, of chances to say goodbye.
But one mother from Shawbirch, who does not want to be named amid fears it could affect her 16-year-old daughter's chances of further education at the school, said Mr Hall should resign.
She said: "What everyone is forgetting is the pupils had got exams the following day and it caused so much upset. He also blamed staff shortages, but I am a manager and if that happened I wouldn't shut the shop.
"The students are furious. The headteacher told me the decision to move the last day was made quite a while ago, I said he could have let us know even as late as last Monday if that was the case.
"I think he should say he's made a mistake and I think he should resign over this."
The Shropshire Star website has been flooded with comments from "devastated" youngsters.
Phill Brown wrote: "It was the biggest shock ever. He walked in said 'this is your last day, only come back in for revision and exams', then walked out, couldn't believe it."
Emma Weaver and Simone Colley wrote: "When we got told the news we were leaving it brought us to tears. We are extremely angry with Mr Hall's poor decision about forwarding our official leaving day."
Laura Taylor, a spokeswoman for Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "As well as having the chance to catch up with their fellow students and get their books signed during break times, all Year 11s will be in school to sit their exams next week.
"Following on from Tuesday's leavers assembly and Wednesday's leavers mass, the school has also organised a prom at the end of June for students to say farewell to teachers and fellow students."
By Kirsty Marston
