Teachers, school staff, and parents held an emergency demonstration outside Durham High School on Friday afternoon following the sudden closure of the 142-year-old private school. The school, which had 281 pupils, entered administration after closing on Thursday.
School Closure Leaves Staff and Pupils in Limbo
Matt Wrack, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers' Union, said: "As little as two weeks ago, Durham High School’s owners assured staff and parents that the school would remain open, despite rumours that it faced significant financial pressures. All that changed this week when they suddenly announced that the school would be closing for good."
Wrack added: "Global Galaxy Education have serious questions to answer about what is really going on at Durham High School. Right now, we have a group of traumatised staff and pupils who now have no job or school for September."
Teachers have received no assurance that they will be paid the salaries they are owed for the rest of the academic year. Wrack stated: "It's time for Global Galaxy Education to own up and pay up – not shut up and run away."
Union Demands Answers and Payment
Deborah Egglestone, NASUWT National Executive Member for Durham, said teachers, pupils, and parents at Durham High School deserve urgent answers. She said: "This abrupt school closure is an abhorrent way to treat the school’s dedicated community."
Egglestone continued: "Many teachers at Durham High School have worked there for years. None have been given the opportunity to plan for new jobs in September, and now it seems they will not be paid during July and August either. Teachers’ salaries are split evenly across twelve months of the year – they have earned this money."
She added: "Despite months of rumours and speculation, staff have worked hard to deliver for pupils and maintain school morale. The end of the school year should be a time for joy and celebration, but instead, teachers and pupils at Durham High School face a summer of pain, panic and uncertainty."
Egglestone concluded: "Global Galaxy Education must tell the truth about what has really happened at Durham High School and honour their contractual obligations to pay staff for work that has already taken place."
School's Letter to Parents
The school sent a letter to parents on Wednesday confirming that they would be closing at the end of the academic year. In the letter, seen by ChronicleLive, they said they had tried to secure the long-term future of the school but it had not been possible. They said they were working with a number of local schools to help families secure places for September.
Local Council Support
Durham County Council issued a statement on Friday saying they were setting aside time to support parents looking to get their children into alternative schools. The local authority is also signposting staff to employment opportunities.
Cllr Cathy Hunt, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: "We were really sorry to hear the news about Durham High School and fully appreciate how concerning this must be for children, parents, and staff."
Hunt added: "Officers within our admissions team are setting aside time to support parents looking to get their children into alternative schools and have already responded to multiple requests, offering advice on availability of places."
She also noted: "We are very conscious that some young people will be in the middle of GCSEs and A-Levels and our officers are able to provide advice and support on availability of Sixth Forms and other post-16 provision within the local area."
Support will continue to be available for young people with special educational needs and disabilities via the council's SEND teams. The council can also provide advice about alternative childcare and signpost staff to schools and other settings for employment opportunities.
