THE Dean Academy is expected to be put into special measures following a recent Ofsted inspection according to a whistleblower.

The news regarding the former Whitecross School has caused concern among the community with Mayor Bob Berryman saying it would be disastrous for the town.

He said: “I’ve heard that it could be going into special measures but that they are working hard hoping it won’t.

“The last thing we want is for it go back to the way it was before.”

County Councillor for Lydney Alan Preest said that the public had a right to know what was happening at the school.

He said: “If it is the case that the school is going into special measures I want them to be open and completely transparent about it.

“We need a definitive statement that tells us what’s going on there.

“The public needs to know especially at a time when parents are deciding where their children will go to school.

“With a population of about 8,500 it is imperative for Lydney to have a school that’s fit for purpose.

“We don’t want a cover-up. Let’s get the facts out in the open over what is going on at the school.”

A spokesperson for the Dean Academy said: “We can’t comment at this moment in time due to Ofsted regulations.”

A spokesperson for Ofsted said that they would not make any comments until their moderation process is complete.

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