The new chairman of CedarBridge Academy's PTSA said he would be setting a target to improve parent participation at the school after another poor turnout at their regular meetings.

Robin Richardson, who was last night elected chairman of the PTSA, said for a school with about 1,000 students, a turnout of only 40 parents was not good enough.

He said: "When you think how many new students alone we had attending the school this year, 40 parents being here tonight is not very good.

"We had about 20 teachers and some students, so just 40 parents is not impressive. I find it so frustrating. I am going to make it one of my major concerns this year to improve parental participation. We all want the best for our children, but we need to work on it together. CedarBridge needs the support of parents in order to be successful."

Mr. Richardson said the PTSA was enthusiastic and ready for another year, but said it would be stronger and more effective if more parents joined in.

Speaking to those present at the annual general meeting onTuesday night, he said: "We are trying to get more parents involved. When we have complaints from parents they are usually from parents who do not come here. "They speak out and everyone hears them. The voice of one can be heard, but quite often the voice of many can be ignored.

"Parents must realise that teachers are not sent to school to raise our children. They are sent to teach them. Without parents participation, we are going to fail. I cannot stress enough how important it is for them to get involved in their child's education. If they join the PTSA they can raise issues and get things done. We work well with the school."

Principal Kalmar Richards said she feared the meeting had not been communicated well and admitted that communication needed to be improved.

"Parental involvement is so important, whether it is at the PTSA level, at workshops we do, in assemblies or at meetings," said Mrs. Richardson. "Parents need to be in the school just because. We welcome them any time they wish to be here. They can come to assemblies, or at other times, just so long as they visit us."

The next meeting of the PTSA will be held on October 8, from 6 p.m., at CedarBridge Academy. All parents are welcome to attend.