A FORMER teacher of Wensleydale School and Sixth Form has demanded an explanation and apology after serious failings were uncovered in an investigation prompted by her complaint.

Claire Seaborne, a chemistry teacher at the school who left in 2015, also wants to see the report of the findings from the investigation published to inform staff, parents and students about the issues.

Mrs Seaborne said she had recently been sent the report of the independent investigation into the complaint she made about the governing body of the school – but had been told it would not be published.

She said: “The report details serious weaknesses and shortcomings in the governing body during the period 2012 to 2015 as well as a failure by North Yorkshire County Council to ensure the school was following proper procedures.

“Many of the issues have been addressed and steps have been taken to ensure that the correct procedures will now be followed.

“However, the school suffered a significant decline in its performance over this period of time and significant harm has been done to students, parents and members of staff. The school will also be dealing with the consequences of poor management for some time into the future.”

The school now has a new headteacher and chair of governors – but Mrs Seaborne said she was concerned that many of the governors in place during the period of decline were still on the board.

She said she had received a letter from the governing body accepting the conclusions made in the report and promising to fully implement all the recommendations.

She said: “It offered a brief, one sentence apology to me for the pain and distress I have suffered in pursuing this complaint. However, it has offered no apology for its failings. The time is now right for the governing body to be open about its past mistakes and offer a full and frank apology to students, parents and staff.”

Mrs Seaborne said at the very least a summary of the report should be published.

She added: “In order for the school to draw a line under this and move forward these governors should step down or be open and honest about past mistakes, apologise and explain to all stakeholders why they can now be trusted to run our school.”

A statement from education authority North Yorkshire County Council: “The governing body fully accepts that there were governance issues to be addressed. An independent report was commissioned to review these issues.

“Those recommendations have now been implemented or are in the process of being implemented, and the governing body has been reconstituted and strengthened with new parent governors and two additional, experienced governors.

“Trish McCarthy is a former academy headteacher, and John Hattam has been a school governor for more than 15 years.”

The school is also under new leadership, with Julia Polley appointed permanent headteacher in January and Julie Woodyer as chair of governors in the spring of this year.

John Hattam said: “While we acknowledge there have been issues in the past, these are being fully addressed and with the future of our young people in mind our focus now must be on improving outcomes and setting a strategic direction for the school.

“It is clear that improvements in teaching and learning are in progress and that students’ aspirations are rising.”