Rotherham school walks out in academy protest

Students at a Rotherham school walked out on strike last week in protest against plans to turn it into an academy.

Students in years nine and ten at Maltby Community School refused to return to the building after their lunch break and gathered on the playing fields to demonstrate against the proposals.

“They were just sitting on the grass saying that they didn’t want the academy,” said one parent.

“It’s their education and their school and I think that they must feel very frustrated.”

Parents and teachers have been campaigning against the proposed academy.

They have held a 90-strong public meeting and a lobby of a parents’ evening at the school.