The representative of a teaching union says he is “frustrated” that a school academy trust will not soften its strict behaviour policy, which some parents say is making their children unwell.  

Parents of students at St Ivo Academy, in St Ives, have recently spoken of how their children are “living in fear” and are being reprimanded for small mistakes such as forgetting a spare pen.  

They say the Astrea Academy Trust’s, which runs the school, has rules that are too extreme and make their children ill with stress and anxiety.

Many teachers also feel the policy is too harsh, with one at the same Trust saying they feel “terrified” of being sacked for not enforcing it. 

Despite pressure from parents and a meeting with a teaching union, leaders at the school’s trust, the Astrea Academy Trust, is refusing to soften the measures.    

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Adrian Miller, the Cambridge Secretary for the teaching union NASUWT, met with Astrea leaders to talk about the concerns of its members, and parents of students at St Ivo Academy.   

As well as the controversial behaviour policy, they also discussed the needs of teachers and worries that arts subjects could be reduced at the school. 

The Hunts Post: Adrian Miller, the Cambridge Secretary of teaching union NASUWT.Adrian Miller, the Cambridge Secretary of teaching union NASUWT. (Image: Supplied)

Mr Miller said: "I have to say, I came away from the meeting feeling frustrated.   

“We all agreed there needs to be more consultation between Astrea leaders and union representatives – and Astrea agreed to more meetings with unions representing teachers at the school.   

“But we didn’t really feel they were going to change their fundamental position [on the behaviour policy]…   

“... they feel what they’re doing is what the school needs – and they [Astrea] are just going to ply on with it...”  

He added: “Astrea said they would review cuts to the curriculum - but that might be only a little temporary.  

“There was no guarantee of anything from them really... the overriding impression of the meeting was that they were going to keep going.” 

The meeting took place last Thursday (March 9).  

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Poor student behaviour is an issue discussed widely in the education sector.  

The Trust - which also implements the behaviour policy at Ernulf Academy and Longsands Academy, in St Neots – says it is “about creating a calm, consistent learning environment” for children to study “disruption free”.    

When Ofsted inspectors graded Ernulf Academy "requires improvement" after their most recent visit, there was criticism of the inconsistent delivery of the rules.    

A spokesperson from the Astrea Academy Trust said: “At its core, St Ivo’s behaviour policy is very straightforward: it is about creating a calm, consistent learning environment in which all children can study and thrive, disruption-free.

“We expect children to be in lessons, concentrating and learning from our fantastic experts.   

“We expect them to be respectful of adults and understand the boundaries and rules of normal school life.   

“Having an effective behaviour policy also plays an important role in supporting staff wellbeing and retention.”  

She added the Trust will continue to work with teachers and parents to improve behaviour at the school and create “a consistent environment where children are happy and achieve their academic potential”.   

The St Ivo Parents Forum, an independent group of more than 400 parents with children at St Ivo Academy, says it will continue to push for the controversial measures to be relaxed.   

Dr Yasmin Finch, the Forum’s chair, said: “We will be very much continuing our campaign to have Astrea’s behaviour policy changed.   

“As it stands, we’re not seeing any softening of the rules at all – and Astrea are not taking the views of parents on board.  

“Day-by-day, more and more people are joining the Forum’s Facebook group and parents at other Astrea schools are thinking of forming their own group to fight these absurd measures.”