ALL but two teachers at a struggling primary school in New Addington have decided to leave at the end of term.
The exodus follows plans to convert Wolsey Junior School into an academy and has prompted concern among parents.
Mark Ducker, the executive head leading the school's new sponsor, said ten out of 12 teachers had decided to leave, in part because some were "not willing to put in the time required to improve the school".
"We made our non-negotiables clear, which include the amount of time teachers need to spend in school," he told the Advertiser.
"If you are going to do the job you need to be in a decent time and leave at a decent time.
"I can't speculate as to their individual reasons. I heard rumblings that (they thought) the hours were unrealistic.
"We have had to bring in a whole new teaching team because many didn't feel they could be part of what we're trying to do.
"In that sense it's a really good decision that they don't stay."
The STEP Academy trust was asked to work with Wolsey Junior after the three-form entry school, in King Henry's Drive, was placed in special measures, Ofsted's lowest category, following an inspection in January.
Inspectors identified a "number of weaknesses" with teaching, including poor planning, marking and low expectations.
"If you look at the report, teaching came out as predominantly 'requires improvement', said Mr Ducker.
"Teachers have to be rated at least 'good', or the school isn't going to move forward."
Mr Ducker said the majority of the vacated roles had already been filled and he was confident a new teaching team would bring the school out of special measures.
But the loss of so many established members of staff has concerned some parents.
"It worries me because my child has got to know his teachers and change may worry him," said Sarah Jane Bashford, whose son Joshua, 9, is in Year 4.
"I don't think it's the teachers' fault. They have done the best they can within the guidelines they are given."
Samantha Fuller's sons Reece, 8, and Bobby, 9, go to Wolsey Junior and her daughter, five-year-old Lexi, is in reception at the infant school, which is also becoming an academy led by a different sponsor.
"It's a shame so many of the teachers have decided to go," she said.
"I can't fault the teachers, they are great. My eldest is dyslexic. They identified it early and gave him the extra help he needed and he came on leaps and bounds."
Dawn Blagden's son Luke, 8, is upset Year 6 teacher Mr Seaward is leaving because he is "funny and nice".
"I don't agree with the academy forcing out some of the staff," she said.
"STEP has said in some meetings that they expect their staff to be in work at 7am.
"How can they do that if they have kids themselves? It's unreasonable."
Mr Ducker said: "The point was made that teachers are expected to be in early and remain after school for long enough to ensure the children receive the education they deserve.
"While it is true many of our teachers are in by 7am, there are others who come in later, often because they have family commitments. That's fine as long as they get the job done."
Wolsey is due to become an official part of STEP, which has prompted rapid improvement at two Croydon primary schools, including nearby Applegarth Academy, in September.
