WHILE the mass resignation of the board of governors at Eggar's School has sparked angry response from both camps, a firm assurance has been given to parents that Eggar's is still a good school.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Hampshire County Council has sought to allay fears expressed in some quarters that ensuing publicity could inflict yet greater damage on the school.
It confirms that while LEA inspectors undertook a review of strategic management and control at Eggar's in June this year the resulting report, released to governors, would remain confidential.
However, the focus of the report was not on the standards of pupils' work, the quality of their learning or their behaviour. "Parents can rest assured that pupils are safe in school; there is no breakdown of discipline and that their children are learning and making progress," it says.
In an earlier statement, Hampshire County Council reported that the board had passed a resolution to resign with effect from today (Friday) because of "significant differences of view within the governing body about the future direction of the school".
Described as "an almost unprecedented step", according to some sources, it was a decision forced upon them because of concerns about leadership within the school which is said to have resulted in a lack of discipline and low staff morale.
Some parents have refuted these allegations, believing that the school is a happy one which produces good results.
Sharon Northcote, who has three children at Eggar's, took matters into her own hands on Wednesday and arrived, unannounced, to look for graffiti and badly disciplined children, but could find no evidence of either.
"My children are very happy at the school. The head teacher, Felicity Martin, is a very approachable lady, the majority of kids adore her, and I think she has really brought the school forward. If she goes I will take my children away," said Mrs Northcote who believes that "a clean sweep" of governors could be the way forward.
It was obviously a view shared by governors. According to the statement, despite considerable discussion, they had felt unable to satisfactorily reconcile their differences, concluding that it would be in the school's best interests if they were to stand down, "allowing the opportunity for fresh members to support the school's continued improvement".
The LEA has respected the board's decision and has recognised the commitment of many governors to the school community over the years.
During the summer new LEA governors will be appointed and the education department will arrange elections for new teacher, staff and parent governors as soon as possible in the next school year, with a view to securing a healthy future for the school.
In an official statement Felicity Martin said: "Eggar's is a good school and an improving one with a rising roll and increasingly good academic standards.
"I am looking forward to working together with a newly constituted governing body next term and have every confidence that we will continue to be successful."
While unable to comment fully, outgoing chairman of governors Camilla Boreham said she was devasted by this latest turn of events, believing this to be "a tragedy" for what she describes as "an excellent school".
The priority of governors, she said, was and always had been the welfare of children and staff in the school.
Alton Town Mayor David Willoughby who is a parent governor with a daughter at the school, said he too was deeply concerned about the publicity surrounding the resignation.
"I retain a deep involvement and affection for Eggar's School and would expect to stand again for election as a parent governor being, in my opinion, ideally placed to receive and represent a wide range of views.
"In the meantime, I would suggest that any parents who have questions or concerns which they wish to express should contact the LEA office at Fleet on 01252 814708."