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ALAN VEALE Sep 28, 05 - 7:51 PM THIS IS PERSONAL

Okay – it’s time to come clean and own up. “Concerned Parent”? “Angry of Marton”?
No – I’ve got a name: Alan Veale – parent and ex-governor, and father of Matthew, currently in Year Five at Marton Primary School.
And yes – like all of you, sufficiently concerned at recent events at my son’s school to feel
I have a right to say so. My association with the school goes back 7 years, and I had the privilege of serving for two of them as a parent governor during Lynn Lancaster’s time. Three years ago I had cause to ask Mrs Lancaster for a professional reference, which she gladly gave. Now it’s my turn.
I always viewed the school and its staff with pride and affection, content at the dedicated and caring attitude I had grown accustomed to since 1998. To hear the news about Bev Alderson, the suspect OFSTED report, and the resignation of several experienced staff was (to say the least) a shock.
I have personally written to Mrs Coupe to ask for her reassurance that my son’s education would not be put at risk by matters on her own personal agenda. I have also written to David Lund, and to the new chairman of governors. Needless to say, I have received no reassurance – merely a threat of civil action should I make any defamatory remarks to the media…
And so, while I await a reply from the new chair of governors, I have been searching the Web. I feel that we all, as parents, have a right to complain about the way our school is being run. (Yes, it is OUR school while our children are there!) I suggest you check out www.parentscentre.gov.uk and see for yourself:- the governing body of our school has a procedure in place to deal with complaints. So does the LEA. And if they can’t satisfy those complaints, we can go over their heads to the government under S.496 of the Education Act 1996.
So – COMPLAIN! But do it in a collective and productive way. Forget the threats of police action and the stalling of the LEA. They have to take action, or they are all under fire.
Yes, there’s an internal investigation going on, but while it is, we have a school full of supply teachers eating away at a very limited budget; we have children sitting SATS later in the academic year; and we have a great many parents sufficiently worried as to be seriously considering taking their children out of school. That is a major headache for the LEA – so don’t give them an inch! COMPLAIN!
And if Mrs Coupe wants to send her hubby round to my house with the handcuffs, I’ll be glad to sit him down for a chat over tea and biscuits..!
Oh, and Mrs Coupe – take any action against my son without good reason, and you’ll find some more “senior” people than me on your back!

savemarton Sep 28th, 2005 - 11:33 PM Re: THIS IS PERSONAL

Well done Alan! You should be very proud that you have made this bold statement. Don't worry about Matthew - if he's as brave as you he'll not stand for any nonsense, and the devoted teachers that are still at Marton will look after him.
And I didn't get invited for tea and biscuits either, so don't feel left out!
Can you elaborate on the threat of civil action? Can you quote what was said by whom?

ALAN VEALE Sep 29th, 2005 - 11:57 AM Re: THIS IS PERSONAL

Thank you "Save Marton"
My son is aware of the serious nature of our concerns for his school, and has promised that he will "keep his nose clean"!!
Regarding the other threat, Mrs Coupe passed on my letter to the Legal Services section at Progress House without making any comment. They wrote back, referring to the internal investigation on "several matters", and said it "would not be appropriate for a substantive response to your letter". As I also had mentioned that I had been approached by the press for my views on the school situation, but did not want to give any until I had had a response from Mrs Coupe, they added the warning: "May I remind you that you will be accountable for the views that you express to the media, and, that any remarks found to be defamatory would make you personally liable for civil action or damages and injunctive relief."
Now I have no intention of putting myself in such a position, and this form of response is no more than I would have expected from the LEA. But it is certainly worth noting by anyone else looking at this website! This is a highly emotive issue, and parents (and staff) are understandably worried about the present situation. But there is nothing to be achieved by slinging mud in public!
Others who have posted on this board have rightly followed the "official" line, and given constructive advice. I can only second that, and again urge those who feel strongly enough about things to write to the appropriate authorities to make their voices heard.

SOS Sep 29th, 2005 - 3:28 PM Re: THIS IS PERSONAL

I am shocked to think that the headteacher and the LEA have involved legal services. Is this a way of trying to frighten parents and shut them up! Why can't they just talk to us parents and explain what is happening, what is wrong with that! Why can't we, as parents be allowed to voice our opinions it is our childrens school and our childrens education

Marton Surfer Sep 29th, 2005 - 5:35 PM Re: THIS IS PERSONAL

I can't believe this message board. It seems unbelieveable what is going on. I have no connection with the school but the posts make incredible reading.

One thing struck me as very, very odd.

The head teacher threatened a child with police over a satsuma - a typical childish incident. The head told staff that police were involved in investigating this site - when it is an open forum for anyone (e.g. me !) to send comments. The head teacher got legal services involved when Mr Veale made a written complaint. BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT
a teacher is escorted off the premises for downloading porn - by the headteacher NOT the police !!!

There seem to be some screwed up values here !!!