A TOWN mayor has arranged a public meeting to allow worried parents to air their concerns about two of the strictest schools in Cornwall.

Camborne mayor Cllr James Ball, who represents Camborne Roskear and Tuckingmill division on Cornwall Council, has called the meeting for 7pm on Wednesday, February 25 at Holmans Social Club in Camborne.

He has been contacted by around 50 parents concerned about Camborne Science and International Academy (CSIA) and Pool Academy, both run by the Athena Learning Trust.

CSIA and other trust schools have been in the spotlight over the past few years, with some parents saying children with special needs are falling victim to the schools’ strict rules.

Athena also runs Launceston College, primary schools in Altarnun, Egloskerry and Launceston, and schools across Devon.

Cllr Ball told us issues raised by parents include behaviour and suspensions, SEND provision and issues with education, health and care plans (EHCP). “When I started this, I didn’t think it would be this big – it’s massive,” he said. “It’s a case of now working with the schools and the parents constructively to get everyone’s voices heard.”

Cllr Ball continued: “There’s some confusion about what the schools will do and what the parents expect the schools to do. It’s a complicated issue … I think there are quite a few parents who feel their voices aren’t being heard and their children are being let down. The most important thing in all this is that we’re there for the young people.”

Cllr Ball hopes to meet the heads of both schools, their special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) representatives, the chair of Athena and local GPs in March. “There will not be full answers to any issues,” he warned. “I need to gather information. This will not be an attack meeting - we need to work constructively.”

According to Department for Education figures released last year, CSIA handed out 2,967 suspensions in the 2023/24 academic year. That’s nearly 16 a day, based on a standard 190-day school year, and the second highest number of any school in England.

Two Athena schools were in the second and third positions in Cornwall: Launceston College with 1,418 suspensions (7.5 per day), and Pool Academy with 1,033 (more than 5.5 a day). A Facebook page dedicated to complaints about CSIA, Pool Academy and Athena has 2,400 members.

A spokesperson for Pool Academy and CSIA said: “Our schools care deeply about the wellbeing and happiness of every young person and we recognise how important it is for parents and carers to feel heard and supported.

“If families have any concerns about their child and their experiences at school, we always encourage them to come to us directly. That way, we can work together quickly and sensitively to help them.

“We value our partnerships with parents, carers and other local stakeholders and we are committed to doing everything we can to help our students thrive. We’re here to listen and families can always speak to their school if they need support or advice.”