9:38am Wednesday 2nd June 2010
By Steve Sowden
PARENTS are starting a campaign to keep head teacher Sarah Wellman at Manor Court Primary School in Chard because of the “brilliant” job she has done sorting out perceived bullying problems among pupils.
Manor Court has been at the centre of adverse publicity in recent months with a number of parents coming to the News with criticism that the school was failing to deal with alleged escalating bullying issues.
But now those same parents have told us Mrs Wellman, who was drafted in on an interim basis from Merriott First School in March after previous head Liz Rosser went on long-term sick leave, has worked wonders sorting out the problems.
Parent MandyWindsor, who has been a leading voice in the campaign against the bullying, said: “I don’t know what she has done or how she has done it, but Mrs Wellman has done a fantastic job.
“The number of incidents of bullying we’ve heard about has dropped off considerably since she took over.
“We’re now worried that if Mrs Wellman leaves the problems may return.”
Mrs Wellman said: “I can’t comment on the situation because I’m just here on an interim basis while Mrs Rosser is on sick leave, but I’m delighted that the parents think we’re doing well and I think the team here are working as hard as they possibly can.
“I have high regard for the families and I love being with the children at Manor Court.”
Mrs Wellman said there was a “strong and supportive” community in Chard.
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