As an ex-parent and someone who lives and works in All Saints I feel compelled to respond to last week’s front page article ‘Where is our headteacher?’.

The Midweek Herald has, until now, reported on a rather one-sided view of discontent and uncertainty.

I would like to offer another point of view. Far from the school having become a sad, shadow of its former self it is, in fact, thriving and enjoying a new era of vitality and positive energy. No one may know if, or when Mrs Hollidge will return, but it would be a pity not to acknowledge that the changes made by Mr O Mahoney have gone a long way to inject some new vigour into the school.

The villagers are right, Mrs Hollidge ran a tight ship for a long time and the school has enjoyed good results, but I believe she has sailed that ship alone for many years, maybe now it is time for the needs and wants of governors, teachers, parents and children to be addressed.

Perhaps some people should stop speculating and being generally negative and concentrate on continuing to be proud of our local school because the teachers are working as hard as ever and the children are happy.

S Doherty

The Old Shippon

Smallridge