CONCERNED parents attended a meeting at Al-Madinah School on Monday night to discover what the future holds for their children now that its secondary section is to close.
It was their first opportunity to quiz the new board of trustees brought in last week after the Government decided that the free school's progress was inadequate and needed stronger governance.
This followed a damning inspection and report last October which labelled the school "dysfunctional" and "in chaos" and the resignation of the previous board.
Rather than close the school outright, schools minister Lord Nash has decided the secondary section will shut at the end of the summer term, leaving the primary section to continue.
Members of the media were not allowed into the meeting but Barry Day, chairman of the new trust board, said afterwards he felt it was an opportunity for parents to express their feelings.
He said: "Naturally, people are not happy that the secondary section is to close but I also think they can see that it will give the primary school a chance to thrive.
"If that happens, then it is likely that Lord Nash will restore a secondary section to to Al-Madinah School within three years.
"Overall, I feel the meeting went well. Obviously, there is anger that it has taken until now for the decision to be made about secondary education.
"But it is about making sure that the secondary age children get alternative school places between now and the autumn term."
Officers from Derby City Council, which is responsible for finding places for up to 90 children, were at the meeting to give advice.
They made it clear that parents can move their children any time between now and July but they must apply through the city council admissions team to make the move.
Most spaces exist currently in the City of Derby Academy, da Vinci Community School, Merrill Academy, Murray Park School, Noel-Baker Community School and Bemrose School.
The city council will also be contacting the 62 applicants who applied to start in year seven at the school in September.
Mr Day also took the opportunity to take parents around Midland House in Nelson Street, currently housing the secondary pupils, where up to 180 existing primary pupils will move to from Norman House in Friar Gate in the next two weeks.
Accommodation, including two play areas and a suite of rooms, is being arranged for the primary pupils.
Mr Day said that the move had been brought forward to press ahead with making improvements as quickly as possible.
He said: "We have to show progress as soon as possible. As the new trust members we are now starting to see what the situation is regarding finances and staffing.
"We are sorting out contracts and bringing in more permanent staff so there is no excuse that the primary section cannot be a success."
Parent Aftab Rehman, who has two daughters in the secondary section of the school, said he was disappointed that no-one from the Department for Education was at the meeting.
He said: "Parents had plenty of questions about whether or not there is an appeals procedure agansit the closure.
"Also we wanted secondary education to be given a chance to recover under the new trustees but that is not to be.
"I think parents will take their children out of the school quite quickly now but it is very sad to see friendships among the pupils breaking up after being together for 18 months".
