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Row over head teacher's funeral Row over head teacher's funeral
(about 6 hours later)
Teachers at a Leicester school have been told they cannot take a day off to attend the head teacher's funeral.Teachers at a Leicester school have been told they cannot take a day off to attend the head teacher's funeral.
Jane Woolstencroft, who spent 15 years at Millgate School, died of cancer last week, just before her 53rd birthday.Jane Woolstencroft, who spent 15 years at Millgate School, died of cancer last week, just before her 53rd birthday.
The staff have written a protest letter to the city council while Ruth English, Mrs Woolstencroft's daughter, said the council had shown a "lack of respect".The staff have written a protest letter to the city council while Ruth English, Mrs Woolstencroft's daughter, said the council had shown a "lack of respect".
But the council said any closure would affect the education of the children, who have behavioural problems.But the council said any closure would affect the education of the children, who have behavioural problems.
The school has 44 boys, who are taught by about 30 staff. They feel they are being disrespected in not being allowed to go and pay their respects Ruth English, head teacher's daughterThe school has 44 boys, who are taught by about 30 staff. They feel they are being disrespected in not being allowed to go and pay their respects Ruth English, head teacher's daughter
The authority said it felt closing the school so the teachers could attend Monday's funeral would be disruptive for the pupils.The authority said it felt closing the school so the teachers could attend Monday's funeral would be disruptive for the pupils.
And because of the nature of the children's needs, it also declined to allow a skeleton staff of about 10 to keep the school open.And because of the nature of the children's needs, it also declined to allow a skeleton staff of about 10 to keep the school open.
Ms English said the council had shown a lack of compassion.Ms English said the council had shown a lack of compassion.
"The staff think not only does this show a lack of respect towards my mum but they feel they are being disrespected in not being allowed to go and pay their respects."The staff think not only does this show a lack of respect towards my mum but they feel they are being disrespected in not being allowed to go and pay their respects.
"Some of them are allowed to go but they have been chosen on the basis of whether their roles in the school can be covered and not their relationship with my mum.""Some of them are allowed to go but they have been chosen on the basis of whether their roles in the school can be covered and not their relationship with my mum."
A spokesman for the city council expressed its sympathies to the staff and family but said it had a statutory duty to ensure education provision.A spokesman for the city council expressed its sympathies to the staff and family but said it had a statutory duty to ensure education provision.
It also said it considered that the interests of the children and their carers were best served by keeping the school open and allowing teachers and pupils to remember Mrs Woolstencroft together.It also said it considered that the interests of the children and their carers were best served by keeping the school open and allowing teachers and pupils to remember Mrs Woolstencroft together.