martonschool.myfreeforum.org

A Teacher · Guest

I am a teacher. It is a sad fact that councils round the country always blindly support Head Teachers, whatever they do. This is a ridiculous thing to do and it is also very dangerous, especially when children are involved. I have seen many examples of it, but on lesser scales than this. It may be that Mrs Coupe has done nothing wrong (I do not know), but to ignore every person who questions (never mind complains) about anything to do with Marton is NOT right. We live in a democratic society and live with open regulations such as the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information and Human Rights. It seems to me that Blackpool seems to be running a dictatorship. If Gordon Marsden is reading this I would urge you to sort out this situation quickly. The citizens of Blackpool put their trust in you when they voted for you. Please do not let them down.

R. Thornton · Reaching Full Speed Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 99

Sorry Teacher, like you I was naïve enough to believe that The Freedom of Information Act, the Data Protection Act and the Human rights act meant something, but not I'm afraid to the Mrs Coupes of this world. She used her husband to make notes at a school meeting and has twice refused me copies of them under the FIA so that I have now had to refer the matter to the. Commissioner. Why would a headteacher do that - they used to be honorable members of society. Despite 3 very clear statements in the Human Rights Act concerning the rights of individuals to receive and exchange information - even a clear statement that public bodies should not interfere with that right, Mrs Coupe tried 5 times to close the 1st website, and was of course refused. Even so she has made trips to Manchester IN SCHOOL TIME for legal advice on closing this one. So what can we learn from this?
A) Mrs Coupe is a very slow learner
And/Or
B)She is determined to get her own way by whatever means possible - even if that means ignoring English law
And/or
C)She is willing to drag Marton through the court rooms - because a headteacher attempting to prevent freedom of speech is simply not acceptable in modern society.

Scared Teacher · Guest

I am a teacher at Marton. I am ashamed to admit that I have not said anything against what has been happening at Marton. I know what is going on is wrong and I don't know what to do about it. I don't know who to trust anymore. I will certainly not go to the management team at school or anyone at the CSA. I'm even frightened to approach my union about what is happening.
I just wanted to say to those of you who are braver than me and the other cowards 'I have the utmost respect for every one of you, please keep fighting'.

Alan Veale · Master of Posters Joined: 07 Oct 2005 Posts: 118

Scared Teacher - I totally understand your fear, as will many others viewing this site. Believe me, your confidentiality is totally assured if you contact Jon Bamborough. I have total confidence in him, and with good reason. Like myself, he recognises when people in power abuse their authority, and he asks awkward questions to put them to shame. But he is a public figure himself, and has a code of conduct as an elected representative that means you are legally allowed to speak to him in confidence without any fear of retaliation.

Another thing - there are others who are scared too: Ruth Coupe and David Lund for a start - because their jobs are on the line. Too many lies have been put about to selfish ends for too long a period. They never expected to meet such organised resistance, and they are starting to realise that it is NOT going to fade away!

If you look back through the other posts I have made on this forum, you will find my own e-mail address, so if you prefer, you can also contact me at any time. My phone number is also available in the school office. Watch out too for a leaflet about the school, shortly to hit 5,000 addresses in the South Shore area.

The Rule of Fear is going to be very short-lived...

Alan Veale

teacherx · Mildly Opinionated Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 22

I've only just started posting as I've been warned off in the past. Like all the other staff at Marton I was fed the misinformation that I could get into trouble if I posted. I can't believe I was so naive - there is freedom of speech in this country. It is my right to have my say - on this forum or anywhere else. I shall be using this forum, and also contacting Jon Bamborough, in confidence.

Scared teacher, do you feel like I do - dreading what tomorrow might bring?

I don't know your true identity, so I don't know if you were there long before Mrs Coupe came.

I don't know if you remember Marton as a school where every child, every member of staff, every parent was valued: valued above targets and timetables; valued above fake publicity and false impressions; valued above over the top planning and unnecessary paperwork; valued for the things that really matter. That was the Marton philosophy - Every Child Matters - in the true sense.

We ALL need to be brave - not hide behind those we credit with courage. If we ALL stood up to be counted then perhaps Marton School could return to the school that it once was - and away from the shambles that it now is.

Let's ALL be brave so that we, too, can hold our heads up high when the day of reckoning comes.

WAYNE HEYS · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 12:24 am Post subject:

Teacherx,in a couple of lines you have very much described the Marton that I had the pleasure of for many years,don't be affraid to contact any of the Action Group if you cannot trust anyone within the school,you should be able to contact your union representative and that will be in confidence,rest assured you are not on your own WE KNOW YOU ARE NOT but until YOU take the first step ,you are going to continue to wrestle with your concience,be strong, and remember the school belong's to the CHILDREN and nobody else,they surely have the right to the best education possible.best wishes,look forward to hearing from you soon !!!!