Concerned parents warn they will protest if things don’t change at Firth Park Academy, after a public meeting highlighted persisting problems within the school. 

On Sunday, appalled parents took matters into their own hands and held a meeting at Harry Harpham Community Centre to raise problems that were reportedly not being addressed by the academy.

One parent said: “Since the start of the new school year, I find the way Firth Park Academy have continually failed my daughter to be totally abhorrent.”

Another parent added: “They have ruined my child’s life forever and I know they will never be the same. They deserve a better education.”

A multitude of issues were raised, with one major concern being the school’s policy on toilet passes.

One parent reported that their child, who suffers from kidney issues, was denied access to the toilet on multiple occasions despite the school being aware of their condition and the student having the appropriate hall pass.

Another parent said their daughter leaked through her clothes while on her period because teachers refused to let her use the toilet during lessons. She was then given a detention for arriving late to lessons after having to change her clothes.

Concerns were also raised about the school’s approach to SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). Parents said their children were being labeled as “bad kids” rather than being provided with appropriate support.

One parent claimed their child in year 11 had “given up” after many years of feeling overlooked by the school. 

There were also allegations of racial abuse and bullying among students, which parents say the academy has failed to address.

Several parents said they have withdrawn their children from the academy and moved them to other schools because of the ongoing issues.

Parents are urging the academy to listen to their concerns and implement changes, warning they are prepared to protest if improvements are not made.

“We don’t want to go kicking and screaming — we just want a better school for our children,” one parent said.

The group, named ‘Firth Park Academy Parents’ on Facebook, was created earlier this year as a platform for parents to discuss the issues they were experiencing. The group now has over 400 members.

Members hope to establish regular staff-parent meetings with the school to address these problems and are also calling for resignations within the school’s senior leadership team.

Firth Park Academy was rated ‘Good’ in their most recent Ofsted report last June 2024.

Firth Park Academy were contacted for a right of reply and you can read their response here.