Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:07 pm Post subject: Fair Hearing???
Yesterday, Tony Blair lost the vote to detain terror suspects without charge for 90 days. Members of his own party felt this was an infringement of Human rights - even if these people could be potential terrorists.
If only Tony Blair had the powers Mrs Coope has used. she has suspended those who don't agree with her! In David Lunds own words on Radio Wave "a teacher has been suspended due to professional differences." That suspension was 4 months ago and still there is no charge.
Thank goodness for democracy - Tony will now have to change his approach, because those below him disagreed with his view. what a pity Blackpool council does not demonstrate a fair approach. Instead they seem to be supporting a head who removes anyone that disagrees.
Can anyone expect to be treated fairly?
We are supposed to live in a democracy. I've been told that suspension is a neutral act, without prejudice. What a joke!
Mrs Alderson has been suspended for 4 months without even being charged or having a date for a hearing. She is sitting at home, unable to contact colleagues or friends because this goes against procedure. As far as I'm concerned, this is like slow mental torture.
In his letter to parents yesterday, the chairman of governors, Mr Turner, asked us to imagine how we would feel if we were being victimised, as he implies Mrs Coupe is. Mrs Alderson doesn't have to imagine, she IS going through it, and without the backing and the unquestioning support of those with power in the education world.
Well, I hope at the end of all this, there is a chance of a fair hearing, because maybe then those with power will hear the truth, and end up with egg on their faces.
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:22 pm Post subject: Letter from Chairman
The letter was from the chairman not the governing body. It appears that the chair is going off on his own trip. The school has a Governing Body that should work together. Instead we see him appologising for security that he arranged. References to the previous site. The letter really does seem to be all over the place. And who is the governor he refers to?
It seems to be a stream of consciousness.
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 2:24 pm Post subject: Responsibilites of the Chair of Governors
Below is a copy of correspondence I have sent to the chair of governors.
Now that he has entered the debate perhaps he will answer some of the questions which thus far have remained unanswered - even ignored.
In addition to all the examples of mis-management of this headteacher I recently learned of the Multi Use Games Area - with full floodlighting, which was to be built for the children of the school and the local community. This was to be funded by NOF and the grant was passed 18 months ago, with work due to start in November of 2004. Following through this project would have been the responsibility of the headteacher, and it comes as no surprise that a resource so valuable to the children and the local community would not figure in this headteacher´s priorities. Why has it not been completed ? Is the money still available ?
Please note : I am not a member of the action group and my views do not necessarily represent those of the action group.
Dear Mr Turner,
Now that you have entered the debate concerning the management of Marton Primary school, I would be pleased if you would answer the questions below, which have so far not been addressed by the Authority or the Headteacher.
Firstly I would like to remind you of the following sections of the chairman´s role as specified in section
GOVERNING BODIES: THEIR POWERS, DUTIES AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HEAD TEACHER5.
7.
The governing body have a general responsibility to conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement. In practice this will mean seeing that the school is run effectively, acting within the framework set by legislation so that it provides the best possible education for pupils. The head teacher has responsibility for the internal organisation, management and control of the school. Governors are not expected to take detailed decisions about the day-to-day management of the school, that is for the head. A good head will discuss all the main aspects of school life with the governing body and will expect the governing body to both challenge and support the school to do better. Acting as a “critical friend” governing bodies should offer support, and constructive advice, but should not be deterred from questioning proposals and seeking further information to enable them to come to the best solution for the school. Heads should give governing bodies enough information to enable governing bodies to feel confident that the head as well as the governing body are meeting their statutory responsibilities. A good governing body will take a mainly strategic view through setting suitable aims and objectives, agreeing policies, priorities, plans and targets and monitoring and evaluate results. The School Development Plan, OFSTED Action Plan or School Improvement Plan will generally provide the main mechanism for the strategic planning process
DEALING WITH COMPLAINTS
21. There are formal procedures for dealing with some complaints about the school and what it provides for its pupils; for example, complaints about the curriculum (see chapter 7). For the wide variety of other complaints there may be no formal procedures. As part of their responsibility for the conduct of the school, governing bodies should ensure that complaints are dealt with properly.
22. As a matter of good practice, governing bodies should draw up procedures for sorting out problems quickly and, as far as possible, locally, and publicise those procedures. Complaints should usually go first to the class teacher and then, if necessary, to the head. If the head cannot sort out the complaint, or is the subject of the complaint, the governing body may receive the complaint. If the governing body cannot resolve the complaint it should be referred to the LEA.
23. In dealing with complaints and in making provision for complaints procedures, the governing body should ensure that the person complaining is given fair treatment and in particular, a chance to state their case. Decisions and reasons for them should be given in writing and the person complaining should be informed at the same time of any rights of appeal they have if they wish to take the matter further. Timescales should also be set for completing actions so that complaints do not take too long. You can get advice on procedures for dealing with complaints, from the LEA and the Citizen's Charter Unit (see Guidance at end of chapter).
24. Anyone can complain to the Secretary of State if he or she believes that a governing body is acting 'unreasonably' or is failing to carry out its statutory duties properly. If the Secretary of State agrees that the complaint is justified, the governing body can be directed to act appropriately. If you do not keep to a Direction by the Secretary of State, it may be legally enforced.
A. Please explain the reaons for your support of the headteacher´s action in highlighting the differences between senior members of staff to the Ofsted inspection team instead of dealing with the matter internally or using the proper channels of the governing body and LEA.
B. Please confirm that it is within the headteacher´s powers to suspend a teacher without the knowledge of the governing body and without a governor being present.
C. Please give details of your role as Chair of governors in bringing this dispute to a conclusion. The suspension has been in force for 4 months and I would like to know if you have made any intermediary efforts to bring the parties together (see details of your role above).
D. Please explain your reasons for stating that one party is being victimised in a public letter, yet making no mention of a teacher who has been suspended for months without charge.
E. Please explain why you are allowing Mr Hill, a computer technician, to represent the governing body in trying to close down the forums.
F. Please explain why you think it necessary to curtail the rights of the parents to speak freely and exchange information openly. You have every right under the legal system to give the postmaster of a forum 24 hours to remove any offensive posting.
G. Please let me know whether Mr Coupe attended the parents Ofsted Action Plan meeting in an official capacity, if not, whether you gave permission to attend when it was stated that the meeting was for parents ONLY, and some people were turned away.
H. Please confirm that the supply teacher who downloaded soft pornography from the internet using school computers was reprted to the police, LEA and the General Teaching Council.
I. Please confirm that you suport the methods used by Mrs Coupe in dealing with children who misbehave i.e. that of explaining to children that the police can be used to determine the culprit.
J. Please confirm that you do not support members of staff who act unprofessionally at parents meetings, and that you have investigated their behaviour.
K. Please explain why after 18 months since the NOF funding was secured from the LEA that the multi use games area has not been built. This was to be a valuable resource for the school and local community.
L. Please explain why this statement taken from the legal document above has not been followed by the headteacher, yourself, or the LEA. Please explain why letters go unanswered.
"In dealing with complaints and in making provision for complaints procedures, the governing body should ensure that the person complaining is given fair treatment and in particular, a chance to state their case."
A copy of this letter will be posted on the forum. I welcome your reply either to this email address or in an open letter on the forum to all parents.
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