It may be of interest to some to know a little about the place where I work – the Land Registry: This is an office with a large number of people who are trained to provide a high standard of service at all times to the busy conveyancing market. We work in teams, and share our skills and experience with a view to getting the job done to the best of our abilities. In order to do that, we are provided with a range of facilities by our employer (the Government) that includes flexible working hours, and an integrated management structure that encourages both upward and downward communication. We are also recognised as “Investors in People”, and have held that standard of recognition for many years.
Why am I telling you this?
Bear with me… One of the privileges I also enjoy is access to the Internet at lunch times, which is one reason why many of my posts on this site are made at that time of day. Now it may be that it was the timing of my posts that made him do it, but I find it curious that Mr Coupe phoned my Area Manager this morning to ask him to take action against me because of my activities on this website. I know this because, subsequent to this phone-call, my Area Manager saw fit to tell me about it, and to reassure me that he would be informing Mr Coupe that he would NOT be taking any action, and that the school issue was not something that he considered had anything to do with Land Registration. In fact, my Area Manager has now given me his unqualified backing to deal with the school issue in whatever way I deem appropriate – so long as it does not interfere with my job of work.
No doubt this has come as a shock to Mr Coupe and his wife – who are presumably more accustomed to getting their own way. The environment in which I work (unlike some other establishments) is one in which there is no room for bullying or intimidation. We all have a job of work to do here, and we get on with it through properly managed channels. Maybe Blackpool Borough Council would benefit from a visit!
So, sorry Mr Coupe, but you’ve shot yourself in the foot (again), haven’t you…
Alan Veale
Lisa
Well done Alan. I would like to add my personal comments to say that I have always found you to be an honest, hardworking person who has had the courage to go public about the sorry state of Marton school.
Due to the fact that you are known by the very people we are criticising, you have encountered many 'challenges' over the last couple of years. I would like to thank you for your committment to the cause. You are somebody to be admired.
Thank you for all your hard work.
PS. I too am allowed to use the internet at work - in my own time and within certain guidelines. It's a pity rules regarding internet use weren't followed at Marton when pornographic sites were accessed by children and teachers, and posting were made on this website by school staff during school working hours that contained downright lies.
mary
Firstly, Lisa, I would like to back up all that you say about Alan. He is a person of the greatest integrity (unlike certain others mentioned on this forum) who has had the courage of his convictions, and not allowed himself to be put off by bullying tactics and intimidatory remarks. All credit to him.
This latest ridiculous effort to shut him up beggars belief. As you say, Lisa, it's a pity such stringent internet rules were not in place when children were accessing pornography at school. Perhaps that's the first place Mr Coupe should have looked, instead of trying to cause trouble for someone at work. What a thoroughly nasty and vindictive action - but no real surprise, in my opinion.
savemarton
Alan - was this done in his official capacity as a policeman? Did he mention his job, or his connection with Marton (via his wife) to your boss? I find this facinating. Who on Earth does he think he is? This would make a great story, or a TV drama, or a book. Hmmm.. food for thought.
The_Truth
Utter Shame
I can't believe this, surely it can't be true. What have Mr Veale's actions to do with Mr Coupe, are we to presume he was acting on behalf of his wife.
Surely this is intimidation and bullying of the highest order. Isn't Mr Coupe a policeman. Did he use this fact in his enquiry. Is he abusing his position.
How can anyone have respect for Mrs Coupe now? Come on Governors, come on CSA, can't you see how your association with someone who will sink to these tactics are tarring you with the same brush. Marton used to have a Governing body that could be admired, where has that gone now. I gather, from what I have read outside of this forum, that the DFES are trying to throw responsibility back on to the Governors, saying that it was their duty to have dealt with the problems. It seems to me as if some people are being lined up for a fall. Not just Governors too. Now we don't have the Casino I'm sure the Council will be looking to make some more cuts. I wonder who they can use as a scapegoat in the CSA.
disillusionedteacher
And while Mr Coupe was wasting time phoning to complain about Mr Veale's activities at work, Mrs Coupe was off school (again) accompanying somebody to the hospital. I presume Mr Coupe was not working (so was able to make a personal phonecall) which makes me wonder why he didn't do the hospital trip, allowing his wife to get on with running the school?
Just a thought.
Tracey
it has been a few days since i accessed this site and i find it trully shocking, yet not surprising at the latest activities. If you look back over history the main method used to silence those who fought for something they thought was just, was simply to cut off their line of communication. Bullies have used this method for hundreds of years and i am sure will use it for hundreds to come.
How shameful that this method was used by a man in a position of power such as a policeman. Any man would support his wife, i expect no less, but this has surely done more damage than any of us could possibly of achieved.
Keep up the good work.
Alan Veale
State of Play
Thank you, Lisa and Mary, for your kind comments. As Admin has already stated, we should all be able to continue to express our views, and to speak out against those things we know to be wrong. That is why I first joined in this debate 16 months ago, and after witnessing the events since then I can honestly say I have witnessed first hand some experiences that I would never have believed possible in my local community.
There are still people in positions of authority both in the school, the Education Authority and the Council who are guilty of bullying, greed, stupidity, incompetence, lies and goodness knows what else. Thankfully, I am reassured that almost all of them are likely to be “moving on” in the next few months… All bullies come to grief in the end, and mostly through their own stupidity. There have been so many acts of stupidity by supporters of Mrs Coupe that they can never again be treated with any respect.
I would like to remind you that one of the main reasons for the downfall of the bullies has been the continued existence of this forum. By holding up to public view so many incidents which Coupe & Co would rather have had kept quiet, we have been able to apply pressure to ensure these unfortunates could not get away with half of what they had planned. I can also say that this has been accompanied by a great deal of activity “behind the scenes”. This has been conducted by members of the Action Group, who have met regularly since October 2005, and who have maintained a constant campaign that has been conducted with patience, perseverance, and with integrity.
I expect to be placing a post on this forum in the next few days that will mark the progress of our campaign more precisely. I can confidently predict that there are likely to be many other posts to come within the next few weeks that will be a great surprise to most of you!
Alan Veale
WAYNE HEYS
Well , Well ,Well, Mr Coupe intervening agin, like has been previously posted, nothing less would be expected from a devoted husband. Hang on a minute, this gentleman took notes at various meetings last year which are not available for viewing despite the Freedom of Information Act, this gentleman WAS able to attend the post OFSTED meeting when many parents who were taught by Mrs Alderson who had many questions to put to Mrs Coupe and the LEA WERE NOT !!! Not that it had anything to do with him.
I am sure he would not use his position as a police officer to try and silence members of the MSAG would he ? I dont believe that for a minute, still it does go to show that this web site has been and still very much is a thorn in the side of the Headmistress , THE LEA and the Council, maybe now the Casino has been given else where, they might start to get back to dealing with local issues.(i AM SURPRISED THE MSAG NEVER TOOK THE RAP FOR THAT ONE EITHER)
To date , one of my elected representatives have acted in the most unprofessional way by not even acknowledging e-mails I have sent them.If they think we will go away then they are mistaken.
Alan Veale has indeed taken much criticism, I myself have been taken to task on the Radio and the Local rag, so what, intimidationary tactics simply wont work and I am confident that the MSAG who have sought answers right from the very start will not rest until those answers are in place. If that means certain individuals lose their position's of power then so be it. when you receive an e-mail from the council saying basically "we are not going to talk to you anymore," then you know you are getting near the bone.
In our day to day lives, bullying lies and incompetence will not be tolerated, and thats why we haven't gone away !!
KATIE
Thankyou
Mr Veale I haven’t posted on this site for some time, although I have been keeping a close eye on things. Since Mr Lund stated that there had been a mix up with the marking of the SATs papers I have become very sceptical about the messages coming out of the school.
Of all the posts I have read on this site and the previous site, I have to say that I have never been quite as shocked as when I read your post about the Headteacher’s husband ringing your manager. I think this should serve as a warning to all who post on this site....Don't disclose your personal details, as who knows what desperate people might do if they want to check up on you.
I can only think that it was a desperate measure by a desperate man. A man who realises the game is up. For somebody to pull a stunt like that shows they have nowhere else to turn.
I would like to remind readers of the following things,
1 The MUGA was only built after you complained to the Council.
2 The internet was only made safe for our children after you complained to David Lund.
3 The parents were only made aware of the problems in the school after you spoke up on the radio.
Any one who complains about your actions should know that children of Marton and many other Blackpool schools are in a safer position because of the stance you have taken.
For what it is worth it may be good for your Manager to see this post.
Thankyou
Alan Veale
Mistakes!
I must thank YOU, Katie for your post, and for being one of the parents of a child at Marton Primary School who saw fit to question whether what she was being told was correct. I remember speaking to you in person over your concerns on a previous occasion, and I am sure you will be looking back now with a clearer picture of the policies that SHOULD have been exercised at that time.
As you rightly say, Mr Coupe would appear to be a desperate man – and with good reason. Not only is his wife approaching the likelihood of an end to her career in teaching, but his own occupation could also be under threat.
Bullies follow a type: They are usually below average intellectually, and tend to use their “weight” to try and make up for what they lack in other fields. They make mistakes – and the last two years have been littered with them. I have never seen so many examples of incompetence from people empowered with such responsibility! So we are justified in standing up and challenging these people when our children’s whole lives are put at risk by the failings of the education system.
Okay – mistakes do happen – but when it is clear that an error (of judgement) has been made, then we should expect better of the authorities concerned than to try and hide their ineptitude, and to attempt to cover up their failings. That is where the Blackpool Education Authority is to blame. They were alerted to the problems at Marton right at the beginning – but failed to take corrective action.
More mistakes!
And those same mistakes will inevitably catch out the perpetrators. One of the biggest errors of judgement made by the “authorities” happened within the last few weeks – and that error will come back to haunt them very soon! No more for now – but I urge anyone with a wish to see this dispute come to a satisfactory end to keep checking this forum for news over the next few weeks.
Alan Veale
WAYNE HEYS
oh Alan you are a tease !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
after everything that has happened over the past two years its is long overdue that some of the main players who have stood in our way,trying to put as many obstacles in front of us as possible, finally run out of luck,I await with interest new developments if and when they happen, after all THEY have reduced Marton School to the sorry state it is currently in, and they should all be ashamed of themselves.
Alan Veale
Criminal and Civil Action?
It has been several weeks since I last posted on this Forum, and I would like to share with you some of the reasons for that.
Quite simply, certain persons connected with both the school and the local authority have made some very personal "attacks" on me. Due to legal constraints, I cannot yet give you any names, nor any further details. What I CAN say is that these attacks have been treated very seriously by the police, and investigations are ongoing. The possibility of a civil action has also not been ruled out.
I mention this now because I believe every parent of children attending schools in Blackpool should be aware of the appalling mess that Blackpool Borough Council is now in. Many months have passed with little or no action being taken to remedy the situation inside school, and yet all the powers-that-be, from the Chair of Governors to the Secretary of State, have been alerted to parents' concerns. I sincerely believe that our children's education is at risk due to a collective catalogue of mis-management, incompetence and corruption.
Watch out for a political quagmire in Blackpool over the next two months!
Alan Veale
WAYNE HEYS
Today I have had a conversation with the leader of Blackpool Council regarding some of the very serious ,shocking and cowardly acts which seem to becoming from someone concerned with the school or the local authority, I told him that this deed has been carried out with the sole aim of causing damage to the reputation of others, he seemed genuinely surprised, and no doubt this topic will now run for a while particularly now as the Police are infact carrying out an official investigation.
If these are the tactics of so-called professional people, then they should be ashamed for themselves and seriously consider their positions to which they hold, these revelation's will no doubt become public in due course.
Over the next few weeks no doubt more information will come to light with more serious allegation's having to be defended, I am only glad my children left Marton some years ago, the incidents to which Alan refers "raises the bar" in just how desperate people involved in the whole Marton debate are getting.
Alan Veale
How will YOU vote?
I would just like to draw your attention to a few points relating to this forum and to Blackpool Borough Council:
It is already well known that there have been several attempts to have this site closed down because certain people whose names have been mentioned on it have objected to so much discussion about their activities. This is despite the fact that these people are (in the main) public servants, and therefore accountable to the general public for the duties they are paid to discharge. It may have escaped your attention, but elsewhere in this forum it has been reported that the legal advisers to Blackpool Council have stated that this forum is properly managed, and contains a balanced view of the issues affecting the school. This is exactly how it should be, and there has always been an open invitation for anyone to post on here, regardless of their point of view.
Putting that very important statement into context, look at the picture presented by the posts on this forum: Over a period of less than eighteen months there have been over 1,000 posts from over 150 registered users. While there have been the occasional posts from individuals that have been deliberately mischievous, the vast majority of the opinions expressed have been genuine reflections and opinions from persons with a connection to Marton Primary School: parents, grandparents, teaching and support staff, Councillors and Council officials, not to mention the many others who have an interest in education matters. What would you say is the overall view of how people have viewed the school’s performance over that time?
I ask you to consider this, because there has constantly been a clear (official) line from members of the Council that any problems affecting the school are clearly the fault of the Action Group, and that otherwise, the school is progressing well…
If you agree with that view, then I doubt you have studied too many of the posts on this forum! If, on the other hand, you share the opinions that have been expressed by the majority of people who contribute to this site, then bear it in mind over the next six weeks or so, as our “elected representatives” send out their pamphlets full of self-praise in the lead up to the local elections.
You may just want to ask them a few questions on what they have personally done so far to resolve the problems affecting Marton Primary School in particular, and education in all Blackpool schools.
