A MEETING is most definitely needed to clear the air between parents and staff at Yate International Academy, following the outcry over stricter enforcement of rules at the school.


The Gazette has been contacted by numerous parents who are angry with the academy and feel their children are being put under unnecessary stress by the crackdown.


As one parent, Clive Hollick stated, the stress is the “last thing” the pupils need in the run-up to the exam period.


However, one of the most important jobs a school has is to instil discipline in the pupils and it is clear that is what the leadership team at the academy are attempting to do.


They are taking a tough stance in order to show the pupils that the rules must not be broken.


It seems the real reason for the fall out between the parents and the school is a breakdown in communications.


Parents are saying their children are being sent home for the day and banned from going to the toilet during lessons, whereas the school is adamant this is not the case.


Which is why the feedback meeting between the new principal and parents scheduled for May 19 can’t come soon enough.


Indeed, perhaps the meeting should be brought forward so that the parents and staff can sort out their grievances and misunderstandings and then move on.


After all, ultimately everybody involved just wants what is best for the pupils.