Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 8:42 pm Post subject: Ant-Bullying and the Media
JFO (Just Fight On!) run the Centre Against Workplace Bullying UK, a not-for-profit organisation, and the UK's only centre helping people who are bullied at work. The following invitation goes to anyone who feels that bullying incidents at Marton Primary School have affected them:
Media interest in workplace bullying is growing with today's new statistics published by CIPD and will increase further to coincide with Ban Bullying Day on 7th November. JFO are already co-ordinating a number of stories for media organisations wishing to run stories or TV/radio programs, including national newspapers, and expect a significant increase in enquiries in the next two weeks.
We require further case studies of individuals who are prepared to be interviewed and speak out about their experience of being bullied or harassed at work. Some media opportunities will allow anonymity but some will wish to have a photograph and/or name the individual.
If you are interested in speaking out, whether anonymous or named, please email JFO with no more than one side of A4 with the following information:
* Please give us brief details of the worst incidents of bullying that you suffered [limit this to no more than 5 incidents please]
* Please tell us what you did or are still doing to deal with it
* Please tell us how you were affected, for example what effect did the bullying have on your health, career, finances and/or how your family may have suffered
* Some media may wish to focus on equality issues so please tell us why you think you were bullied
* Please tell us if you need anonymity so that we put you forward for the right opportunities
* If you are currently in litigation, please advise at what stage you are at
Please email your details to media@jfo.org.uk and we will get back to you about possible opportunities that suit your circumstances.
PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS FOR UK BASED PEOPLE ONLY.
Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:29 pm Post subject: National Ban Bullying Day
On National Ban Bullying Day, with our current experience at Marton, it seems appropriate to listen to the views of an acknowledged expert.
The following is extracted from an article published on 11 March 2005 in the Times Education Supplement. It was written by the late Tim Field – originator of the national “Bully Online” website, and author of several books on the subject.
Bullying infects the whole of education. It's a system which sets everyone up to suffer, staff too.
Since 1996 the largest group of callers to our bullying hotline has consistently been teachers and lecturers. They range from nursery assistants to university professors, but secondary school staff have always predominated. In most cases the identified bully is a headteacher or principal with the same profile: few qualifications, a lack of relevant experience and a history of conflict with staff.
During research into pupil suicides caused by bullying, which we named "bullycide", it became clear that if bullying is rife in the playground then it's likely to be rife in the staffroom, and vice-versa. A teacher or principal who is bullying members of staff is also likely to be bullying the pupils. The bullying is designed to try and hide the fact that the principal is a poor teacher who lacks interpersonal skills and who does not have control of discipline.
In environments where bullying is rife but denied by the head, the good teachers - always the majority - become disempowered and disenfranchised.
As one teacher put it: how can you expect to instil decent values in young people when the very principals are unprincipled?
The real picture of school performance, and levels of bullying, can be gauged, not through league tables based on exam results, but by measuring staff turnover, sick leave, supply staff, stress breakdowns, suicides and attempted suicides, ill-health and early retirements, grievances, dismissals and employment tribunals.
At Marton Primary School, we are fortunate that out of that list, we have not yet experienced a suicide or attempted suicide. Not yet. Let’s hope we never do. But be mindful that the rest of that list looks very familiar…
How pertinent this is, Alan. Last night I watched a programme about bullying in schools. Although it was about children being bullied, I couldn't help but draw parallels between the programme and what has gone on at Marton for the last two years. The headteacher on the programme denied that the victim had approached him several times and asked for help, he denied that there was a problem within his school, despite all the evidence to the contrary. He wanted the problem brushed under the carpet. He wanted the victim to feel it was her own fault. The outcome was that the victim (after she had overcome the injuries inflicted on her by the bullies) moved halfway across the world to start a new life.
This all sounds very familiar. Where have we heard this before?:
* there isn't a problem
* anybody who thinks there is a problem is a troublemaker
* there is nothing to answer
* the problem will go away if we ignore it long enough
* let's get rid of the people who don't agree with us and everything will be fine
etc etc etc.
"The real picture of school performance, and levels of bullying, can be gauged, not through league tables based on exam results, but by measuring staff turnover, sick leave, supply staff, stress breakdowns, suicides and attempted suicides, ill-health and early retirements, grievances, dismissals and employment tribunals. "
* staff turnover - too many staff to mention, although I'm sure someone can come up with the true figure
* stress breakdowns - at least 3 and many more minor incidents
* ill-health - numerous incidents
* early retirements - at least 2
* grievances - 5 at the last count
* dismissals - is that another word for getting rid of people who are not wanted?
* employment tribunals - seem to have been avoided so far. They would obviously be far too damaging to the school's reputation
Isn't it about time somebody actually listened to what is still being said, and, better still,did something about it?
I find it amazing that, despite all the evidence, the CSA are still maintaining there is not a problem at Marton School.
It's a pity walls don't have ears...... _________________ EVENTUALLY THE TRUTH WILL OUT, JUSTICE WILL BE DONE.
Mary, to pick you up on one point if I may,you said that employment tribinals would be far to damaging to the schools reputation, well I dont agree with that for two reasons,
Firstly the good reputation of the school has long gone and secondly it is reputations of certain individuals who run the school that is likely to be damaged,and thats why we have not yet had an industrial tribunal !!!!
Do the csa believe things are fine at Marton or are they trying to save their own necks,because once the first Domino falls........
You're right, Wayne. The CSA are fully aware of all that has gone on. They're just hoping it will all go away if they ignore the true situation for long enough.
Haven't they realised yet that the problems will not go away, and those of us still complaining about them will also not go away?
They are going to have to face facts and deal with the problems eventually. Perhaps they are hoping that they will all have retired or moved on by then.
I used to have faith in the education system. Not any more.
That first domino cannot fall fast enough......
_________________ EVENTUALLY THE TRUTH WILL OUT, JUSTICE WILL BE DONE.
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