FAMILIES in Blackbird Leys have been left baffled by a decision to hold a parents’ evening for three local primary schools over one entire day.

Orchard Meadow, Windale and Pegasus schools, which are operated by the Blackbird Academy Trust, will be closed all day today so each parent can have a 30-minute one-to-one meeting with their child’s main teacher.

Mum Lauraine Dineen, whose sons Harry, five, and George, four, go to Pegasus School, said parents were told about it two weeks ago.

She said: “It’s ridiculous. We can’t all get childcare. Some parents will have to take the day off work.

“There’s a bit of chat about it at the school gates. It’s a bit silly. I regularly talk to the teachers so there’s no benefit to us. The boys are off school and it seems a bit pointless.”

Some parents have claimed that if a child does not attend they will be marked down as absent, but no one at the Blackbird Academy Trust was able to confirm this.

Mrs Dineen, who lives in Evenlode Tower, added: “I’ve told them my younger son won’t be coming and I haven’t been told of any repercussions.

“Some parents still have to work. I wouldn’t think that their child could be marked down. That’s just not fair.”

Over the past few weeks those planning to attend the consultations have been invited to book time slots.

Former school governor Katie Chester, whose seven-year-old daughter Esme goes to Orchard Meadow, has set up activities to keep children amused on the day, including board games and a scavenger hunt.

She said: “The announcement was a bit short-notice and a little bit inconvenient for people who work. The school could do better in terms of communication. But to have half an hour is a benefit.”

Jill Hudson, executive head of the Blackbird Academy Trust, said: “Our schools looked at what was happening nationally to seek out best practice. Holding parents’ meetings during the day is an approach used successfully by many schools.”