Interim Executive Board

[Penguinsetpandas]

2 years ago our primary Headteacher left with no notice. Deputy appointed new Head. Couple of weeks ago she resigns with no notice. Ofsted was good, results appear good. Now governing body have resigned and LEA are getting an IEB in place. School has no deputy head, no governing body and an acting head who was acting deputy.

Anyone know what this will mean or what is likely to have happened?

It means the LA have no confidence in the governance of the school and do not feel that it can be turned around on its own. An IEB consists of people appointed to sit as governors. If appointed by the LA then it will be largely populated by LA officers who have expertise needed. They may also appoint other experienced givers and consultants known to them.
Whatever has happened is likely to remain confidential, especially if it may lead to a disciplinary or teacher misconduct hearing. The IEB will meet at least monthly, usually for around 2 years so they can fully rectify the problems and appoint new leadership.
If there is something to do with the failings of leadership, expect a sudden Ofsted tgat could put the school in a category.
I was a specialist clerk to governors and was a named IEB clerk for my LA. It was full on work but very interesting. It was very fulfilling to see a school being improved so quickly but it made the school a high pressure environment for staff!

Thanks very much, interesting to know.

Do feel for the teachers, they work really hard, school gets good results but its averaged one Head per year for last 5 or so years. Must be so unstable to work in.

An IEB is put into a school when it is obvious that the school is failing in some way. It is the Local Authority who in effect sack the governing board because they are not doing their job effectively enough, though I have known sometimes the governing board as a whole to just decide that they cannot improve the school.
Typically an IEB will be 3 to 5 people who are experienced in improving schools, though I have operated on an IEB with only 2.
As Charmatt says it is likely to last for about 2 years and to be honest in the short term you have nothing to loose as a parent and pupil by the IEB being in post. They will start to make a difference to the school, though if it is areas like safeguarding you as a parent might not see too much happening. I think you do need to assume that there will be lots that comes out (or at least the rumours will) and puts the school in a bad light, as the LA will not have taken the action to remove the governing board unless the issues were really bad.
If you want to pp me if you feel it would be of benefit please do so, because I do understand how difficult this can be for parents who have no idea of issues in their school until it all comes to a head.

Thanks very much. Will see how things develop.

It appears there is a lot going on that parents don’t know about. Results are not the only element of a school that might give cause for concern. Progress is very important and if the Head isn’t working effectively and the governing body too, it’s a recipe for disaster. Therefore it’s good news the LA has stepped in. They IEB should be able to steady the ship, make effective recruitment decisions and move the school forward. It’s not an immediate fix but it’s better than a dysfunctional GB and SLT.