martonschool.myfreeforum.org

frustemp · Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 7:43 pm Post subject: The victims

In all of the goings on within the school, it is the children who have come off worse. It will take many years to recover and all the while children will not be getting the education they deserve.
Another group who have suffered is the staff. Many of whom are hardworking and just want to do the job they have done and loved for so many years prior to 2004. It is also sad that so many of the staff have gone off longterm sick with stress related illnesses. They are looking at a very bleak future. Some will probably never want to go back into a school.

What may be astonishing though, is the fact that the latest reports show that the Headteacher has now approached the Authority and asked for ill health early retirement.
_________________
The tide is turning

mary · Reaching Full Speed Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 81

Ill health retirement? When has Mrs Coupe been off with ill health in the last two years? I know she has had lots of absences, consisting of half or full days, but there have been no long-term absences. Perhaps Mrs Coupe is so out of touch with reality that she doesn't realise that there are long, complex procedures to be followed before a teacher is retired on ill-health grounds. I know of two genuine cases of ill-health retirement, and in both cases it took a long time before early retirement was granted, quite rightly in my opinion. Does Mrs Coupe honestly think it's as easy as saying she is ill, and she can miraculously walk away from all the problems? I know she is used to feeling all powerful, but surely this is beyond even her.

Or have I got it all wrong and this is early retirement on the grounds of all the ill health she has caused others in the last two years?
_________________
EVENTUALLY THE TRUTH WILL OUT, JUSTICE WILL BE DONE.

Lisa · Reaching Full Speed Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 69

I wonder if she's been asked to request this. Is she jumping, or is she being pushed?
_________________
Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.

Albert Einstein

WAYNE HEYS · Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:07 am Post subject:

If she's being pushed who by,? Mr Lund? i DOUBT THAT VERY MUCH, he has backed Mrs Coupe publicly from day one, he also has a hell of a lot of questions to answer, then again I wonder if he is feeling poorly also ?

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

Much as I have criticised Mrs Coupe and her actions over the last 2 years I feel that the above posts are too personal and that anyone's illness is no joking matter. Can any of you genuinely comment on her health ?

I hope that this is merely a rumour because it would be the worst possible outcome for everyone. It is a long drawn out process, over many months. Think of the consequences:

The usual situation is for the deputy to take over as acting head. Think about that one. A deputy who has been no more than a glorified supply teacher. At one time deputies were buffers between head and staff - this one has done nothing to support the staff who became genuinely ill through stress by making it clear to the head the effects of her actions. She even played a part in unprofessional actions such as locking staff in the staffroom.
No, she has spent the last two years simply protecting herself, and with her in charge can see no hope of the massive changes needed.

Think too of the Chair of Governors. He would be left once again unchallenged. A chair who has shown time and again he has no knowledge of education or what his responsibilities are. He too should be answerable for doing so little to prevent the dreadful fall of Marton CP.

No, if this rumour turns out to be true other headteachers will be encouraged to treat teachers in a way which leads them to be genuinely ill, to cynically suspend staff on receiving a grievance so that the disciplinary and grievance become inextricably linked. We will never get an answer as to why a Labour council, a party which once stood for the rights of the workers, allowed this to happen.

Will it then become acceptable for spouses of headteachers to make complaints about parents who question the school, to attend meetings where those with a genuine right to be there are barred by security staff.

Will it become acceptable for headteachers to lie to parents about actions which are unpopular ?

It has been clear for a long time that Mrs Coupe was never capable of running Marton. She came from a small school, where she was promoted to head within the school so had very, very limited experience. Certainly not enough for a large school in Blackpool. Perhaps she is now coming to face up to this, and accept some of her mistakes, which is causing her stress.

One thing us for certain, any illness can't be blamed on the MSAG, after all hasn't it been said over and over that it is only a handful of people, who have no connection with the school ? Why listen to them when it was pointed out on a recent school news letter that 95% of parents supported the school.

No, too many precedents have been set by this headteacher which cannot be good for Blackpool schools. We do not want her now leaving through the 'back door'.
I don't blame her for going to the authorities once again for help, after all, they have supported her fully in all she has done - let's not forget her 'special relationship' with Mr Lund. But let us hope it is not through illness when she does leave.

If she is genuinely ill then let us all wish her a speedy and full recovery.