Education bosses have hit back at what they condemned as a "misleading" flyposter criticising a village school.

John Fredericks, chairman of the governors of High Ongar primary School, has sent a letter to parents of all 114 pupils after the anonymous poster went up in the village.

And head teacher Mrs Liz Mulcahy, appointed to the school following a critical Ofsted report, said: "This is very disappointing. It is misleading and factually incorrect."

The mysterious leaflet, headed To whom it may concern. Do you know what is happening at High Ongar Primary School? was put in a plastic envelope and pinned on the church fence opposite the school.

The poster said: "It is alleged that major changes are being steamrollered through and that experienced and critically important members of staff are being forced to leave only to be replaced by relatively inexperienced teachers.

"This would not be a case of getting rid of bad teachers. If the rumours are true, then time is of the essence. For the sake of your children and for future pupils you must act now.

"Plans for the school must be discussed openly and parents' feelings should be taken into account by decision makers. You deserve a say in what happens to your school.

"Approach your parent governor today. It is time to stand up and be counted. Do not be fobbed off.

"Local opinion can make a difference and you should insist on being given the facts. You should know the real reasons behind the proposed changes which could be to the detriment of your village school."

Mr Fredericks's letter says: "We are very disappointed that some person or persons have seen fit to alarm parents in this unnecessary fashion.

"Please be assured that this was not issued with the sanction of the school's democratically elected governing body which includes both staff and parent representatives.

"The essence of the misleading information is not true. Governors have been evaluating staffing structure and budgetary implications."

This appraisal follows the Ofsted report based on an inspection in February 1998 when the former head, Pat Withams, was on long term sick leave forcing her deputy, Alan Drew, to run the school as well as having what the inspectors called "a substantial teaching commitment".

The governors were rebuked for not providing him with "support and encouragement" during this time and the school was criticised for not administering or allocating its funds efficiently and was accused of not providing value for money.

Mr Fredericks's letter adds: "We have to rigorously review all areas of expenditure to ensure that the school continues to improve the quality of education we provide."

"I can assure you that any action taken will be in the best interests of the school and, more importantly, the children.

"All schools experience staffing changes. These may occur through natural movement, promotions and a whole host of other reasons.

"If, however, our current staffing structure remains unchanged by September 2000 it may then become necessary to implement a staff restructuring programme.

"There are no changes for the coming year other than the appointment of Miss Smith and Mrs Mulcahy, who will be teaching special needs children. "

The flyposter was not discussed by governors at a routine meeting on the day it first appeared but was subsequently photo-copied and sent to each of them. Another meeting was then called for Monday.

Mr Fredericks, who was made chairman after the Ofsted report, told the Gazette he had no idea who was responsible for the leaflet but declined to elaborate on his letter.

Other experienced governors, such as Brian Rew and Ron Hart, who were contacted by the Gazette, said they could not comment.

Mrs Mulcahy, former deputy at Warley, was appointed in June last year. Since then, there has been an inspection by Her Majesty's Inspectors who said: "Leadership in the school has been firmly re-established."

Their report added: "The school is improving, management structures are being rebuilt and the morale of staff is good."

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