15 May 2023 , 13:49
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Parents have blasted a school for reportedly cancelling a Year 11 leaver’s assembly due to bad behaviour that has left pupils “devastated”.
Jonathan Morrell, headteacher of Queen’s school in Bushey, Herfordshire, is believed to have emailed parents to tell them that the “conduct” of some children on the final day of classes did not “reach expectations”.
And as a result the school had taken the decision to cancel the Year 11 leaver’s assembly.
The headteacher is said to have sent the email on May 10 where he warned that students should not come in the following day.
He told reportedly parents: “A significant number of students did not meet our expectations regarding their conduct on the last day of formal lessons”.
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Jonathan Morrell, headmaster, reportedly said it was cancelled for health and safety concerns (Queens' School)There was an angry reaction from parents who felt it was wrong to punish the whole year for the behaviour of some pupils and they felt that the children had lost the “proper chance to say goodbye”.
A mum, whose daughter is in Year 11, told the Watford Observer: “Her and her friends are devastated. None of them got their shirts signed, they haven’t had a proper chance to say goodbye, give out teacher presents, get their leavers’ hoodies. It’s such a sad way to leave their school life on such a sour note.”
Many others also blasted the decision with one mum saying that she was “furious”.
“This cohort in particular has suffered due to the impact of several lockdowns and the adverse effect on their mental health. They were rightly looking forward to celebrating the fact that they had actually made it to their GCSEs," she said.
The woman also claimed that pupils had been told that if any children from Year 11 did go into school then the prom planned for the summer would also be cancelled.
A further parent David May told BusheyNews: “It’s not just about signing T-shirts, it’s about saying goodbye and taking photos with the teachers. This is a day these kids won’t ever get back. I think the school could have dealt with it in a much better way and pinpointed the people who were responsible and not alienated the kids that weren’t involved."
Headteacher Mr Morrell reportedly said that the final assembly was cancelled due to health and safety concerns.
He said: “All students in Year 11 enjoyed a full final school day on Wednesday, celebrating five years at Queens’. It included all the rituals normally undertaken by leavers: signing shirts, handing out presents, saying goodbye to staff and friends alike. There was also a sporting event with all the year either participating or observing.
“Sadly, concerns around health and safety emerged during the day which led us to cancel the final assembly planned for the following morning and commence study leave. This was a difficult decision to make and clearly disappointing. The school has high expectations of students and considers health and safety a priority and the calm and orderly running of the school for the 1,500 students not in Year 11, including public exams which have already commenced.”
The Mirror has contacted Queen's School for comment.
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