Bognor Regis headteacher to meet councillors

The Regis School’s David Jones was asked to appear at a meeting of Arun District Council’s overview select committee.

An invitation to attend the March meeting has also been made to the chairwoman of the school’s governors, Diane Willson.

The need for their appearances was prompted when the committee’s members considered a report about performance and priorities.

Cllr Francis Oppler raised his concern regarding the number of pupils achieving five or more GCSE passes at grades A*-C at The Regis School in Westloats Lane.

“A percentage of just 49 for The Regis School is shocking. It’s terrible. It is shameful the average percentage for students across the six Arun secondary schools achieving five A*-C GCSE grades is 62 per cent while the West Sussex average is 72 per cent.

“I went to the old Bognor comprehensive in the 70s and a lot of the same issues back then still exist now. We have to get to grips with what is going on at the school and help aid improvements,” he said.

Cllr Roger Nash said the figures did not take into account recent changes at the school.

He said: “While the figures are awful, we have to remember they are for the last year of Bognor Regis Community College not The Regis School as it is now.

“The school is looking to become an academy in January and we should see a big improvement from that. What we have in place at The Regis School now is quality leadership and quality teaching, and I am sure this year we will see significant improvement.

“The figures are concerning, which is why I suggest asking the school’s headteacher and the head of governors to a meeting where we can ask any questions we may have and voice our concerns.”

Cllr Norman Dingemans said: “If you look at the years schools have been in special measures, it is clear something has to be done. Generation after generation are being failed.”