Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:23 am Post subject: In Confidence
In order to obtain a better feel about what is happening at Marton School, I would like to hear from any teachers and staff. Anything we discussed would be treated in the strictest confidence. I would like to speak with both supporters of Mrs Coupe, supporters of the action group and those in neither camp.
Please contact me first via e-mail on edu@anchorsholme.com and we can make further arrangements to discuss matters.
Thanks, Cllr. Jon Bamborough
Last edited by jonbamboro on Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:55 pm; edited 1 time in total
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:39 pm Post subject: Tell it how it is!
I sometimes feel it is unfortunate how the great “silent majority” are so easily influenced by the constant messages of a minority. The Action Group has so frequently been maligned by Coupe, Turner and Lund that there are some people out there who genuinely believe that people like me are “out to attack the school”. In fact, the reverse is the truth, and neither I nor any other person posting on this web-site has ever purported to be making such an attack.
It was noticeable to anyone last September that the postings on this site’s predecessor (Bravehost) were all anonymous – and that was the immediate source for an attack by David Lund on the authors. The implication was that the anonymous protests were coming from people who had nothing better to do than stir up trouble for the school. I have since explained to him that this is not true. The reason for anonymity is because there are so many people out there who want to speak out, but are scared of being picked on as a result by Mrs Coupe and her allies. Prior to the web-site being established, Mrs Coupe had made it well known to staff that they were to keep all their concerns to themselves, or face disciplinary action – as did Beverley Alderson.
So this message (and that above from Jon Bamborough) is primarily for the attention of all those of you who feel strongly enough about your school to want to try and sort things out once and for all. Jon is (like me) a person who can recognise when a problem needs to be resolved – and is prepared to do something about it! He has put his neck out to try and ask questions from his position as a Blackpool Councillor – one of the few to show any interest at all. So regardless of your point of view, regardless of politics (Mike Turner is also a Liberal Democrat), please talk to him. Let him cut through all the rumours and the hearsay, and let him form his own, independent opinion. Then perhaps the powers that be can be brought to the table to argue over the truth, and what to do about it.
Can it be guaranteed that people who contact him will not face the reprisals that Bev Alderson faced?
I know that many people with issues with Marton School are council employees and scared of such comebacks. As stated in a previous post a friend of mine who teaches in a school was told she should not mention any issues about Marton School again at work. It was put to her that if she did she would be in some kind of trouble.
Although she feels strongly about this matter she is not willing to take matters any further - she has been silenced...
Can it be guaranteed that people who contact him will not face the reprisals that Bev Alderson faced?
I know that many people with issues with Marton School are council employees and scared of such comebacks. As stated in a previous post a friend of mine who teaches in a school was told she should not mention any issues about Marton School again at work. It was put to her that if she did she would be in some kind of trouble.
Although she feels strongly about this matter she is not willing to take matters any further - she has been silenced...
All I can say is that I will speak to anyone in absolute confidence. At this stage it is not "evidence" that I am looking for, just an honest appraisal of the situation at Marton School.
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 12:54 pm Post subject: teacher
I am a teacher at Marton Primary. I am afraid that Jon Bamborough’s offer of a confidential discussion was the subject of Mr Turners meeting with all staff on Friday morning. That meeting was the most unprofessional meeting I have ever had to endure. He firstly criticised Jon Bamborough in language that would not be tolerated on either this website, or in any school. He then went on to warn off any member of staff from speaking to Jon. The school is now run through threats and intimidation. We have had the Link Advisor, the Deputy Director of Children’s Services and the Chair of Governor’s telling us how we should think.
I feel that the whole situation has become out of control and there will be absolutely no impartiality on behalf of the Chair and CSA. Mr Turner all but told us exactly what the outcome will be before any proceedings have even begun. This case is a forgone conclusion.
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 8:43 pm Post subject: My comments
Hi there, I'm new to this forum and as such I will try to say what I say with respect and deference to the people who have been here, fighting this fight, for a long time before me.
My comments are as follows, and are mainly related to what KST has to say;
1. This Mr. Turner, as I understand it, is a school governor? What power or authority does he have to call staff meetings where he bandies about expletives regarding elected members. Isnt that stepping outside the governors charter a little bit?
2. This meeting, was it formal or was it a backroom affair. If it was formal and a school governor was being abusive with regard to Councillors and staff I would question whether or not this gentleman should continue as a governor. Apart from being nominated as one, what real authority does he have?
3. Did someone complain to the head about Mr Turners conduct and language?
4. When you say that Mr. Turner all but warned you of the consequences if someone spoke to Cllr. Bamborough, what did he actually say. A governor threatening a member of staff isnt acceptable regardless of his motivation.
5. In the future, my advice to staff is that they dont attend meetings unless they are being recorded or formally minuted. The first time someone says "This isnt for the minutes...." stand up and tell them that either everything is going in the minutes or that the meeting is over. Include in the minutes why the meeting was terminated early.
6. Speaking to a Councillor is not a disciplinary offence, regardless of the subject. If anyone from Marton School chooses to meet with a Councillor in their spare time (note, not work time) there is nothing anyone can do. If someone attempts to eavesdrop on the conversation they are leaving themselves open to legal action. If anyone is the subject of disciplinary action because they met with a Councillor, it wont stick.
Thats about it. If I think of anything else I'll definitely post it here.
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 4:28 pm Post subject: Support for KST
As an experienced teacher I would like to reply to KST.
You should contact your union immediately. Teachers must not discuss confidential information regarding children or teachers but in all other matters are free to talk to whoever they wish.
The Chair of Governors has no right to make those demands of you or of any other staff. His actions amount to clear bullying of employees.
Furthermore, you should not be speaking out alone. The most effective response is a united one, with all staff involved. Whatever the views of staff concerning matters at present under scrutiny, the Chair's action in this instance must be addressed by all. Please approach your colleagues to put aside any differences, contact their unions, in order to deal with this unacceptable, unprofessional behaviour.
You will be pleased to know that two recent instances, in Cumbria and in Cardiff, when staff worked together they were successful when they passed a unanimous vote of no confidence.
All teachers who have read your post will be thinking of you.
My friend who is also a teacher at Marton has asked me to post on here on her behalf. She can confirm that what KST has said is a true account of the meeting that Mr Turner chaired last week. She is terrified to speak out, but she feels that all the staff are being bullied into submission. She doesn't know which way to turn for help and daren't speak openly to some of her colleagues as she doesn't know who to trust. It is an abysmal situation for people to be in. Mr Turner should be ashamed of himself for acting in this manner. The staff need to do what they know is right in this situation. If you stick together you MUST be listened to. Please be brave enough to say how you feel.
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:37 pm Post subject: Mr Turner
For those of us who have experienced Mr Turner's behaviour first hand over recent months his action on Friday sadly comes as no surprise. He has regularly carried out personal attacks on people in the press and in letters to parents. He has never been willing to listen to any other opinion - even though he has stated on letters that he would be open to 'reasonable' requests for dialogue.
Recently I sent him a 'reasonable request' for him to think about some of the issues in the hope that he might attempt to mediate between the different groups. His tactic - like most modern politicians - is to choose one aspect and then completely ignore the rest. Much as he did in his letter concerning the HMI visit. He then proceeded to attack me personally in his reply, without answerering any question. This has been his way constantly, of deflecting his own inadequacies, and his non-acceptance of Marton's problems.
His comments have rarely been made with any factual evidence to support them. For example he claims to possess a 'portfolio' of evidence regarding the forums. However it is noticeable that when the school was asked by Bravenet, and their legal department to produce evidence for closing the site he did not use this 'portfolio' to do so.
So, KST, you can take some comfort in the above. It is common behaviour for him to make personal attacks on others. He blusters and attempts to bully. You are in the right, and you must continue to believe so, with the support of your union.
Were Mr Turner to do the honorable thing now he would offer his resignation immediately. However, from my recent experience, honour does not seem to be part of his character.
Mr Turner is supposed to be representing the school, the staff and most importantly the children. What he is doing is helping to destroy the school. He made his own opinion up at the start and won't listne to what anybody tells him. He is not even interested in looking at evidence according to the action group. He is taking the things that are posted on here (some admittedly 'close to the bone', but we are talking about desperate people here!) as personal insults and not looking at the bigger picture. Help is needed urgently to correct the damage that has been done over the last 17 months.
AS STATED PREVIOUSLY IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT THE TERM "REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED TO MRS ALDERSON" HAS BEEN USED IN MARTON SEVERAL TIMES WHEN PEOPLE QUESTION THINGS, ESPECIALLY MANGEMENT AND THE LEA.
A TEACHER THERE INFORMED ME THAT SHE HAD DOUBTS OVER TAIME TABLE ISSUES AND WAS TOLD THIS!!
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 9:13 pm Post subject: Re: Mr Turner
R. Thornton wrote:
For those of us who have experienced Mr Turner's behaviour first hand over recent months his action on Friday sadly comes as no surprise. He has regularly carried out personal attacks on people in the press and in letters to parents. He has never been willing to listen to any other opinion - even though he has stated on letters that he would be open to 'reasonable' requests for dialogue.
Wow, who is this guy?
Does someone have a link to the Governors charter at either Marton or Blackpool Council. Its my opinion that this guy stepped out of its bounds a while ago. My points stated above and the replies below certainly should suggest this guy isnt a Governor for much longer.
I find it difficult to believe that in this day and age no-one is listening to the claims of these parents and teachers and that non-staff at the school have the power to call meetings, rubbish Councillors, and threaten the real staff. The real staff being the teachers who turn up, day in, day out to teach the kids and have to put up with this kind of grief from some non-salaried self-important busybody.
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