FURIOUS parents were on Tuesday (July 2) demanding answers after the sudden closure of a West Somerset school due to ‘staffing shortages’.

The Free Press understands headteacher David McGrath has left Danesfield School, Williton, and deputy Kate Swannack has not been at work for some time.

Separately, Rob Lakin has left his chief executive post with Beacon Education Trust, which runs Danesfield and five other West Somerset schools and nurseries.

Headteacher David McGrath is believed to have left his post in Danesfield School, Williton.
Headteacher David McGrath is believed to have left his post in Danesfield School, Williton. PHOTO: Beacon. ( )

Beacon is currently merging with the Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust (BWMAT), a process due to complete next month.

Danesfield, which has 363 pupils aged nine to 13 years, has just three weeks left until the end of the academic year on Wednesday, July 24.

Parents were informed of the school’s sudden closure by email on Monday and were told all trips planned for this week were being postponed.

Trustees chairman Andy Giles said he was working to ensure Danesfield could reopen on Monday (July 8).

Mr Giles said: “Unforeseen circumstances have forced this reluctant decision due to the absence of staff in key management positions.

Danesfield School, Williton, deputy head Kate Swannack is understood to currently not be at work.
Danesfield School, Williton, deputy head Kate Swannack is understood to currently not be at work. PHOTO: Bacon. ( )

“We apologise profusely for the late notice but, under the circumstances, a temporary closure is necessary to ensure the wellbeing of pupils and staff.

“We have not taken this decision lightly and our apologies for any inconvenience we know this will cause.”

Beacon Education was lambasted on social media by angry parents who were left to make childminding arrangements at short notice.

Parents accused the trust of letting down the children’s education and pointed to the anomaly of not being allowed to take pupils out of school for holidays because of the damage it would cause to their learning.

Some in particular claimed teaching for special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) pupils at Danefield had been failing for some time.

In its latest inspection, Ofsted said Danesfield ‘requires improvement’, and highlighted weakness in the support for SEND youngsters.

Beacon’s merger with BWMAT was ‘encouraged’ by the Department for Education and followed ‘termination warning notices’ issued for two of its other schools, Minehead Middle School and Minehead First School, in 2023 and 2022.

Beacon Education has been approached by the Free Press for comment.