A headteacher has closed a school for the holidays two days early.
Colne Valley Specialist Arts College was due to shut on Tuesday but instead will close to pupils today.
Acting headteacher Maggie Dunn wrote to parents this week and explained the exceptional circumstances behind the move.
“I accept it is quite a late decision but these are exceptional circumstances,” she told the Examiner.
“We have been doing weekly training as part of this journey and the school has already made great strides.
“There was the opportunity for two days of training where staff can work in teams, looking at lesson planning, how to make learning engaging and preparing lots more material.
“It does take time and it can be better when done in teams, so if we can do it now and come back prepared then we will not have to disrupt the curriculum again.”
Ms Dunn was given approval for the two days’ training by the local education authority and the school’s executive board.
The school was to remain open for parents struggling with childcare if they notified staff in advance. Academic work would be undertaken.
The early closure comes at the end of a difficult year for the Linthwaite-based school, which was put into special measures by Ofsted inspectors.
Ms Dunn and a colleague from Mirfield Free Grammar were brought in to oversee the school’s move to an academy.
Ms Dunn said feedback from pupils and parents has been positive and she thanked them for support received so far.
Ofsted returned to the school last week and while Ms Dunn cannot be drawn on the details until a formal letter is received, she said the response was positive and supportive.
