THE principal of a West Somerset school where parents have called for OFSTED to intervene has said the college has had a “positive start” to the new academic year.

The County Gazette revealed how disgruntled parents of students at West Somerset College, in Minehead, had set up a petition asking for OFSTED to step in after poor GCSE results in the summer.

Now parents are planning a protest on the school grounds to get answers from principal Gaynor Comber.

Just 38% of students at the Minehead school achieved five A* to C grades, including English and maths, well down on last year’s 48% pass rate.

As the County Gazette went to press yesterday, the number of signatures on the petition at Change.Org received had reached 422.

Governors admitted they were “gravely concerned” by the results but that they remained confident the situation would improve.

Mrs Comber told the County Gazette: “We have had a very positive start to the new academic year and are looking forward to working with our students, our staff and our governing body towards a successful 2014/2015.

"We are taking all constructive criticism very seriously and will continue to pursue our plan for the further improvement of West Somerset College, with the progress of our students always at the centre of our focus.”

One parent who wished to remain anonymous said: “We have written to the principal regarding the various problems that people have had and are having.”

A peaceful protest is now being planned to take place on the college grounds on October 13 at 3pm.

Parents said they want Mrs Comber to apologise for the 2014 GCSE results.

West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said he would be arranging a meeting with parents and college staff to address any concerns in the next few weeks.

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