A petition calling for St Neots to have a secondary school run by a different academy trust has attracted 650 signatures. 

The town’s two secondary schools – Ernulf Academy and Longsands Academy - are both run by the Astrea Academy Trust, which is often criticised for its controversial behaviour policies.  

Parents say the trust’s strict rules and policies are affecting their children’s mental health and want provision with a different education provider set up.  

In the petition’s explanation on Change.org, parent Caz Henderson says: “St Neots is one of the largest towns in Cambridgeshire with a growing population of young families.  

“Yet, we lack sufficient choice of educational institutions that cater to our children's needs effectively. 

“Our current secondary school under the Astrea Academy Trust has shown signs of mismanagement and neglect towards students' welfare which in turn effects academic progress for a large number of students.”  

Caz added: “We propose the establishment of a new non-Astrea Academy Trust secondary school in St Neots.  

“A fresh start with an institution committed to providing quality education and nurturing environment for all students will make a significant difference.” 

Some have shared their views on the petition platform, with one describing Ernulf as being “run like a military boot camp”.   

An Astrea spokesperson said: “We want all children in St Neots to have a brilliant education and we are committed to making that a reality in our two schools here.    

“Where parents have concerns, we would encourage them to engage directly with their school so that these can be resolved as quickly as possible.” 

While three of Astrea’s five schools in Cambridgeshire have been deemed “Requires Improvement” by Ofsted, the trust explained 20 of its 26 schools are considered “Good”.  

It also added it is a “strong and improving trust” with staff who “work tirelessly to achieve these improvements”.  

The Department for Education declined to comment on the petition but said it decides which trusts run schools. 

View the petition at https://shorturl.at/ikADK