Damage Limitation

Alan Veale · Damage Limitation

The Damage continues…

Those of you who have followed the postings on this site (and its predecessor) will know that my interest in this campaign began as a parent of a child in Year 5. In September last year I wrote to Mrs Coupe seeking her reassurance that my son’s education would not suffer as a result of matters on her own personal agenda. I have to report that this woman’s casual disregard for the children in her care has brought the inevitable result, and my wife and I have now removed Matthew from Marton Primary School.

My son’s welfare and education are the priority here. Jane and I talked with Matthew about our concerns over what he may have to face if he were to remain at the school for his final year before moving up to higher education. The three of us agreed that, even if Mrs Coupe were to leave by the end of the current term (see below), the damage to the school has been so far-reaching that it would take a full twelve months before Marton Primary returned to the standards it once enjoyed.

So Matthew went to look at Baines Endowed. His reaction was immediate: it was exactly like the way Marton used to be when Mrs Lancaster was Head! It was warm and friendly. The teachers related well to the children, were enthusiastic about what they were doing – and had an excellent rapport with their Head Teacher. This was a lady who took a personal interest in ALL her charges, and who was obviously liked and respected by both her colleagues and her pupils.

“When can I start?” said Matthew. “Monday?” was the reply. And so one more Marton pupil took off his school uniform last week – and donned a new one after the weekend! I am happy to say that, nearly one week later, Matt hasn’t changed his mind, and is even more enthusiastic about his new school.

But what of Marton?

You will note that there are no more letters home (bearing “Investors in People” logos) from Mrs Coupe or Mr Turner proclaiming how happy the staff are, or revealing how well the children have been doing in their recent SATS tests. No comment either on the fate of their suspended Assistant Head Teacher, Mrs Alderson.

The LEA continue to be evasive and contradictory over the same issue, and frankly seem embarrassed by the whole thing. And then Dean Lomax resigns as a parent governor – the longest serving member of that body, and one who genuinely supported the school in every way he could. The school is indeed at a low ebb.

So – think about its future: After all the damage done in nearly two years, can the LEA really afford to let Mrs Coupe continue? What kind of intake will there be in September? And whose fault will it be if the numbers continue to drop? If you are a parent reading this, then remember to put your child first, and think good and hard as to whether you really believe Marton is the best place for them.

You don’t have to believe me. Ask Matthew!

Alan Veale.