"EVERYONE'S abandoning ship" – that's one parent's opinion after learning seven teachers are to leave a primary school in one go.
While unpacking their children's school bags last Monday, parents of Salfords Primary School pupils were greeted with a letter announcing the imminent departure of seven teachers.
One parent says the decision is evidence of staff "abandoning ship" after earlier controversies rocked the school.
The letter, signed by interim head teacher Liz Whincop, who the Mirror understands started at the school last month, reads: "The end of the academic year usually sees some degree of change within every school.
"For Salfords Primary School this year is no exception – with a number of teachers deciding to 'seize the moment' and take advantage of new opportunities."
It continues: "The following staff are either moving onto new schools, finishing their fixed term contracts at Salfords, or are pursuing new educational avenues: Miss Simons, Miss Murphy, Miss Dennison, Miss Jones, Miss Newns, Miss Fidler, Miss Major."
The Mirror reported in March how a Year 1 Class had gone through four different teachers in two terms, after alarmed parents contacted the paper.
Concerns grew further when the school wrote to parents in May announcing head teacher Georgina Beaven's sudden departure.
A shocked parent, who asked not to be named, said: "Everyone's just really upset.
"There's going to be seven new teachers joining a school that has already had so much change and instability. These kids have had to deal with so much change. Everyone's saying, 'How do we come out of this school?' 'How do we leave this school?'.
"Parents are really disappointed about it. It used to be a really good school."
He added: "I know they have tried to jazz it up in the letter but it's new teachers [leaving] who have joined at the beginning of this year. Everyone's abandoning ship. It's not a massive school, for seven teachers to leave it must be a massive thing."
The latest letter adds that "excellent" new teachers have been recruited for September and staff are working to a "smooth and seamless transition."
Chair of governors Chris Botten said: "The turnover of staff at this time of year is normal for schools as colleagues seek new opportunities for career development. The school is fully staffed for September and many parents have already met their child's new teacher, to the delight of both sides. Parents are very well represented on the governing body and communication with them is very good. The school remains popular [and] calm."
Surrey County Council failed to comment.
