In the interest of clearing the air, and providing an opportunity for some mutual progress in settling the issues surrounding the school, I recently wrote to the Chief Executive of Blackpool Council (Steve Weaver) stating my personal views. I had a strong reason for this: there had been some unusual developments instigated by a person or persons supporting Mrs Coupe that had directly involved me. Certain acts had been committed that were not just antagonistic towards me, but potentially criminal. As a result, I had sought the advice of the police, and of a lawyer. In turn, Mr Weaver had also been contacted, and I was keen to establish whether he was taking appropriate action. I sent a two page letter. After two weeks, and only after prompting, I received a two line paragraph reply, thanking me for stating my position. In view of the courtesy I had extended to him, I did not feel Mr Weaver’s response was a fair reflection of the serious state of affairs that now sat (and still sits) in the lap of the Education Authority. It is partly for that reason that I am now setting out some of the details of the incidents that occurred, why they came about, and what is likely to happen as a result.
But first, you should know that the Government (in the form of Jim Knight MP, Minister of State for Schools) has given its “official” response to the complaint that was lodged by the Action Group in December 2005. You may remember that this was a complaint against the behaviour of Mrs Coupe, Mike Turner and David Lund in their respective positions of authority. According to the DFES guidelines, for a complaint to be upheld, it was only necessary to show that their behaviour was “unreasonable”. Well, after over 15 months, the Minister has ducked out of the whole thing by sending a letter through my MP, stating “there are limits to the scope in which the Department can become involved. As I set out in my previous letter there is no scope for direct intervention and it is for that reason that your constituent should pursue any further complaints alongside the issues highlighted in his 2 December 2005 letter through the appropriate local channels.” In other words, “I appreciate that you are complaining about the local channels, but you will have to let them deal with it!” Which, of course, brings me back to Mr Weaver…
So – what happened in January 2007? Well, for one thing, I started to come under attack from Mrs Coupe’s husband, who tried to have me reprimanded at my place of work. It has long been the belief of Mr and Mrs Coupe that I have been personally responsible for setting up this website, and that I was using my place of work to access it during working hours. I have to say this was a false impression, but they weren’t going to back off easily, and I had several discussions with my (supportive) Area Manager about the bullying nature of these approaches.
And then something strange happened: some mysterious packages found their way to my former wife, Jane Veale. This is the confusing bit – the packages were being sent BACK to her because each of the recipients did not feel they could accept what Jane was offering… The recipients included the General Teaching Council, British Sky Broadcasting and the Daily Telegraph. The packages each contained a photocopy of a CONFIDENTIAL FILE relating to allegations made against a former teacher from Marton Primary School.
Now do I have your attention? There’s more – some of the packages still had the original covering letter from Jane, stating “Please do not use my name or address as I do not know if I can get into trouble for sending this to you, also my ex husband has set up the website and the action group against the Headteacher and I do not want him to know I have sent people this file.”
So – having received the packages back, why do you suppose Jane immediately contacted me? Because she was not the person who had sent those files or who had written the letter! The address given for her was fictitious, but by a coincidence, the person who did receive the packages in the post was able to contact the real Jane Veale – and so sealed the fate of one extremely vindictive person…
I have therefore been privy to information I had not known before. I have been able to ask questions, and to receive answers – and I have discussed the situation at length with members of the police and the legal profession. It is for that reason that I can now tell you that an official investigation within the LEA is currently under way, and that union representatives from NASUWT and NAHT are involved. You see, the original file had an extremely limited circulation, and was limited to members of the Governing Body of Marton Primary School. For that reason, it can be concluded that it was a member of the governors who went to a considerable amount of trouble to make several photocopies of a document of well over 100 pages, to fraudulently pass themselves off as my ex wife, and to pay over £4 postage per package in damaging the professional reputations of people who were not in a position to defend themselves.
Just to outline further the seriousness of this incident, I can tell you that the file contains statements that can be considered libellous now that they have been released into the public domain. Also, as one was sent to the General Teaching Council, the potential impact of such an act against a practising teacher is enormous.
This incident is considered to be so serious that the police are holding these packages for forensic investigation, so that the perpetrator can be identified if the investigations currently being undertaken by the LEA do not bear fruit.
Now to return to that letter from Jim Knight MP: I ensured that Mr Knight was also made aware of these packages, and he had this to say: “there is again little scope for Departmental involvement at this time. Clearly it would be inappropriate for a member of the governing body to have acted in the way your constituent describes; however, again it would have to be pursued locally before any remedial action would be considered.” So again, it all falls into Mr Weaver’s lap. The onus is very much on the LEA to sort out their own corner. They are the owner of this document, and they must establish who was to blame, if only to ensure that that person does not take any further action. There is also the legal issue of libel to be settled – and you may expect to hear more of that particular debate in the coming weeks or months.
So – just when the Council have established that the school “continues to make good progress”, we have to balance that with the knowledge that at least one member of the Governing Body has overstepped their professional duties, and tarnished the efforts of all those who have genuinely worked hard to restore the school’s image.
We have to ask ourselves – “Who has a strong enough motive to do that?”
Alan Veale
Lisa
I know who my money's on Alan.
In my opinion the mangement team at Marton really are the lowest of the low and they also only seem to be able to manage to be second rate criminals. They can't even get that right! Somebody has really made a bad mistake here. I would recommend that if anyone knows who actually did this they go and tell the police what they know pretty quickly. And if you had a part of it but now regret what you did please do similar. Because believe me someone is going to be in big trouble for this.
Pat
Accusations
There are some serious accusations in Mr Veale's post so I hope he knows what he's doing this time. Why hasn't he waited for an official investigation ? Why is he trying to stir up trouble on this site before anything is known properly ? Did he report this to the inspectors, because I didn't see it mentioned in the report ? Surely they would have asked questions if they thought there was anything in it ? If not why not ?
How does he know it was a governor - that's just guessing, it could be anyone in the school who can use a photocopier. How does he know only governors got the document in the first place ? The secretary probably has the most time. Or what about someone at the offices in Blackpool.
Now here's the funny thing. Isn't it just a bit of a coincidence that these papers ended up with Mr Veale ? Why would anyone risk that knowing what he do do with them? Anyway if the teacher has left how important can these papers be ?
No, there's something not quite right here.
mary
Pat, you are right, there are some serious allegations in Mr Veale's post. Perhaps now people will realise just how serious some of the things are that have gone on (and continue to go on) at Marton School.
I can only conclude, Pat, that you know very little about the school if you are maintaining that "The secretary probably has the most time." I'm sure none of the school clerks would thank you for that statement, knowing how hard they all work, and how little time they have to fit everything in. It seems you are also unaware that there are circumstances where documents are only issued to governors (and, sometimes, limited to a small number of governors who form a committee) for reasons of confidentiality.
You say you think it's a coincidence that those documents ended up with Mr Veale. If you read again, carefully, what he has written you will see that the person who sent the documents to the media obviously did not expect them to be "returned to sender". That person expected them to be used by the media in a malicious and vindictive manner against the former teacher.
So, yes, it is a coincidence that they ended up with Mr Veale. A lucky coincidence for Mr Veale and his wife, who otherwise would not have known that their names were being used in this way. But a very unlucky coincidence for the vindictive sender of the letter and documents, who should now be extremely worried that his/her actions are about to be uncovered.
What a disgrace that will be.
You also say, "if the teacher has left how important can these papers be?" Unfortunately, this displays an astonishing degree of ignorance or naivety. If there was a confidential document about you, that contained damaging allegations, would you be happy to have them sent to the national media, and possibly broadcast nationwide, regardless of whether you had moved on from your place of work? Of course not!
Personally, I find it quite strange that this is your first posting, that this revelation from Mr Veale has suddenly prompted you to express an opinion, when the forum has been going for so long.
Perhaps you know something that the rest of us don't?
Finally, I have to agree with your final sentence, "No, there's something not quite right here."
Tha's what some of us have been saying for the past two and a half years.
Pat
Suspicious documents
Thanks for your prompt reply Mary.
Yes it is my first post - there has to be a first post for everyone - and of course by now we know that anyone who questions what is put on this site doesn't post for long.
But there comes a time when things get a bit too serious. Do you honestly expect us to believe that anyone would be so stupid as to send confidential papers anywhere with the name Veale as the person to send them back to? That there is someone who is out to 'get' a teacher who has left ?
And, from what Mr Veale said it could be anyone who sent those papers - surely the headteacher must have seen them if they were about a teacher in her school. Why couldn't she have sent them for that matter ? But of course he daren't go so far as to say that.
As for busy secretaries, even I know that a stack of papers can be put on a modern photocopier and as many copies can be made, sorted and even stapled without going near it again.
Come on Mary, open YOUR eyes to what Mr Veale is trying to do here, and leave it to the education department to sort out - where it should have been left in the first place.
R. Thornton
Who did it ?
Not mentioning any names Pat, but I can certainly think of 2 governors who could have been stupid enough to try something without thinking things through properly.
R. Thornton
Re: Who did it ?
You say that posters do not last long but that's usually because they just run out of sensible things to say, this forum has always welcomed posts from anyone if they have something valuable to say and help a discussion. You are welcome to express your opinions but at least make sure that you know what you are talking about first. How can you tell us to leave it with the authority?? As Mary said you are either very ignorant or naive saying this. So much has been left with the authority over the last 2 years and where has it got anyone? No doubt they'll try to cover this up like everything else.
(apologies for the mix up in these posts !! Shouldn't get so angry )
Lisa
I'm sure all innocent governors would bemore than glad to help the police with any enquiries they have.
Alan Veale
I must thank Pat for his/her scepticsm. That is a healthy attitude to have – especially on matters related to Marton Primary School. Before I first entered the debate in September 2005, I was sceptical of the stories I heard, until I checked them out first hand with at least two reliable sources. I have always supported healthy debate on this forum, with the cautionary note that anyone who posts should be careful that they deal with facts, and avoid conjecture.
There were many other details I missed out from my post this morning, purely for the sake of keeping what was already a lengthy post to a minimum. However, as certain questions have been asked, I shall attempt to answer them here.
You ask about the “coincidence” of someone using the name “Veale”. I agree – I was personally amazed how stupid the sender was to have not realised the risk of the files finding their way back to one of us. Nevertheless, that is exactly what happened, and I will be happy for anyone to verify my statements to that effect that I made to both the police and to my solicitor.
Why did I not report the incident to the Ofsted Inspectors? Simply because I never considered it should be of any interest to them (professionally). It is my understanding that the inspection was intended to focus on the performance of the school, and to examine the effectiveness of its teachers and senior management. To my mind, the priority here was to ensure that the necessary authorities and affected parties were alerted to the situation.
I should add that all this happened three months ago. The packages were all despatched on or about 19 January, and started to be returned the following week. The address given on the letter from “Jane” was real enough (apart from the postcode), but the lady who lived there became curious as more and more packages arrived at her house addressed to someone she’d never heard of! Thankfully, she was curious enough to open them, realise the connection with the school, and so she phoned the school secretary, who was able to put her in direct touch with the real Jane Veale.
As for not waiting for the result of an official investigation, well… “How long is a piece of string?” Investigations of this kind could drag on for months (it took over 15 months for the DFES to finally tell us what they could have said in a week). In the meantime, we still see the standard official line of “the school is making satisfactory progress” being trotted out – while parents are still removing their children from school because they see things differently. I believe there is some urgency to try and bring this affair to a close – especially when there is an indication that someone close to the Headteacher (if not the Head herself), has acted with such malicious vindictiveness.
I wrote to Mr Weaver on 28 March, knowing that he was fully aware by then of the existence of the packages returned to Mrs Veale, and said “This is a very serious issue, of course, and one that demands a thorough investigation to establish who was behind it. I trust that you are taking whatever measures necessary to further that investigation, but I would appreciate your written assurance.” I received none. Having done what I felt was the right thing, reporting the circumstances to the appropriate authorities, I feel I should have been given some respect for that. Others in my position might have gone straight to the press!
Finally, as for the speculation that the culprit is a member of the Governing Body, this is not just my view. In my last discussion with the police, they confirmed that David Lund had told them that the file had been circulated to the names and addresses on a list within the document itself. That is a list of 13 people – all governors at the school, including the Headteacher. As a previous parent governor myself, I know the serious nature of being issued with such confidential documents. They are your responsibility to keep confidential – so even if it wasn’t actually a governor who pressed the button on the copier, it was certainly his or her responsibility to ensure that such an incident could not happen. Please don’t suggest to me that an entirely unconnected person to that governor was able to help themselves to the document, take it away to a heavy duty copier (over a thousand copies), and return it to its owner without their knowledge or complicity!
I hope that clarifies matters. I await the outcome of the official investigation with keen interest – but forgive me if my experience of the way in which Blackpool Council behaves has prompted me to pre-empt the outcome. There have been too many occasions in the past where “official” administrative activities have been deliberately clandestine.
Alan Veale
mary
"Do you honestly expect us to believe that anyone would be so stupid as to send confidential papers anywhere with the name Veale as the person to send them back to?"
Pat, read again what Mr Veale has said (and what I tried to explain to you):
"the packages were being sent BACK to her because each of the recipients did not feel they could accept what Jane was offering…"
The person who sent the packages did not expect them to be sent back. In fact that person went so far as to say, "Please do not use my name or address as I do not know if I can get into trouble for sending this to you, also my ex husband has set up the website and the action group against the Headteacher and I do not want him to know I have sent people this file.” In other words, the sender was doing everything in his/her power to prevent the packages being returned. That person's aim was to light the blue touch paper and step back (and disappear into anonymity, waiting for the so called story to hit the press).
It sounds a pretty cowardly thing to do. If that person truly believed in what he was doing then why didn't he sign his own name to it?
"surely the headteacher must have seen them if they were about a teacher in her school." Yes, I would think so.
"Why couldn't she have sent them for that matter ?" No reason why not.
"But of course he daren't go so far as to say that. " Perhaps MR Veale takes the same view as me, and would be extremely surprised if any Headteacher really wanted to risk his/her career and livelihood, in such a foolhardy manner.
"As for busy secretaries, even I know that a stack of papers can be put on a modern photocopier and as many copies can be made, sorted and even stapled without going near it again." You seem to be contradicting yourself here, Pat. Your first post stated that secretaries had the most time to do these things, now you are saying they are busy and don't need to spend time at the photocopier. Make your mind up!
As R Thornton has said, this forum is open to everybody with a valid point of view. The only people who have disappeared from it have been those who have run out of logical arguments and resorted to insults - then stopped posting; and the staff of Marton School who were banned from posting by Mrs Coupe.
I, for one, am certainly up for a decent discussion - so long as people get their facts right.
I can assure you, Pat, my eyes are, and have always been, wide open. At the risk of repeating myself (and you) that's how I know that "something's not quite right here."
WAYNE HEYS
Pat, I have personally spoken to the Leader of Blackpool Council regarding these documents being sent to the media. By all means contact him, its easy enough to do !! The trouble is no one wants to talk about Marton, no one wants to give direct answers to direct question's.
I only hope we find out who infact has sent this information to the media as this will demonstrate just how desperate certain people are to silence the parents and ex parents who have vallied complaints regarding the senior mangament team at Marton.
Who would have thought Mr Coupe would have taken the time to complain to Alan's employer, Who would have thought certain people would try and scupper the parents meeting in 2005, who would of thought that this message board would have been the taget of the local authority with a view to having it shut down, its hard to take in is it not, very soon now the tuth will come out, and we will all see the situation in a tottally diferent light !!!!!!!!!
Tracey
as everyone has stated, it is shocking(though not surprising) that yet again such tactics are being used. Pat, you question various aspects of alans post, yet you make no mention of your opinions if what is stated is true.
Unless directly involved we only have what is posted to form opinions and gain information. You seem extremely confident that Alans account does not ring true, what extra information do you apparently have that will help us to come to the same conclusions!
This is what this site is for so please utilise it as such.
billandben
Pat
I am afraid what Alan has reported is true. It is really quite shocking, but no less than what I know these people are capable of. However, I did think they had a little bit more intelligence than to leave themselves wide open to a criminal investigation.
I am glad that Alan had been open about what has happened. The parents and friends of Marton need to know what happens to people who question what the Head, Governors and the LEA do.
The persecution that Alan Veale has received is unforgiveable. He has been reported to the Police and complaints have been sent to his employer. Some people will stop at nothing. But just maybe this time they've gone too far.
Pat
Gullibility
As usual on this forum anyone who asks questions about the posts is immediately insulted and expected to believe what anyone on here says is true. Mary, I am neither ignorant or naive BUT neither am I gullible.
Tracey, what you say is exactly right - unless actually involved we cannot exactly know the true facts, and you say we have only the posts to know what is true. So are you directly involved ? Do you notice how Bill and Benn state that Mr Veale's report is true - what evidence have they given for their statement ? None! This is their opinion - are you going to call them stupid because they do not back up their statement. Of course not, because it agrees with yours.
I can think of many reasons why I should not believe Mr Veale's post - or any others on here.
1. Mr Veale himself in his statement has said that Jim Knight MP, Minister of State for Schools, did not take any action over the complaint. He obviously didn't believe what you sent him
2. Parents are happy to leave their children at Marton - read the Ofsted report and see what the inspectors said about the feedback by parents.
3. The education office have been helping school - I have read that on here, so they obviously don't believe everything you write.
4. Thankfully the Gazette doesn't write about Marton much nowadays - they also have obviously stopped believing everything Mr Veale said.
No, Mary and Tracey, I am not gullible. I have read claims of other far fetched so-called 'scandals' on this site. Nothing came of them. Why should this be any different.
Alan Veale
Believe it Or Not?
Okay Pat - if you really don't believe what I have stated in my post, why not check for yourself?
The phone number for Steve Weaver, Chief Executive, is 01253 477001. David Lund is on 01253 477477. Please post the results of your enquiries when you have done so, and lets all calm down...
Thanks - Alan Veale.
Tracey
Pat, please re-read my post. I did not state that we only have these posts to know what is true. I pointed out that this is where we are able to gather some infomation and form our own opinions. That is why i asked you if you possibly have some information to support your view that alan was lying. I did not accuse you nor did i state that you were stupid because of your views. I simply asked you for any extra information.
That you took offense at this is a judgment error on your part and i certainly did not intend to offend you.
Alan Veale
All quiet?
It’s been a week now since I revealed that an official investigation was under way into a leaked confidential file (see my post “Governance of the Worst Kind” above).
Understandably, there was quite a reaction among the people who visit this site, and probably the most interesting was from “Pat”, who doubted the truth of my statements. As there has been no further come-back since I invited Pat to check it out personally with either Steve Weaver or David Lund, we must assume that he/she is now satisfied that my claim is genuine.
What I find more curious is the lack of anything coming out of the school. In the past, whenever there has been anything “controversial” posted on this site, Mr Turner (Chair of Governors) has always been quick to send a newsletter to parents condemning the Action Group and this website in the most virulent terms! So what happened last week?
Could it be that Mr Turner was too busy? He was, after all, preoccupied running for election onto Fylde Borough Council as a Liberal Democrat. For those of you who missed it, that particular party promoted that they believe “In open government that listens to the people and to their elected representatives”. I would like to think it was because Mr Turner has previously demonstrated that he personally does NOT share those beliefs that he failed (again) to get elected.
So what about Mrs Coupe? Was she incapable of composing anything suitable without her pet monkey? Perhaps she did? Have I missed it? Has anyone out there seen anything sent home from school to confirm or deny the existence of an investigation into the acts of one of its governors? This is certainly the kind of subject that should be of interest to parents. After all, there was no hesitation from Mrs Coupe in telling everyone who would listen that the last OfSTED inspection had been more favourable. Would this (more unsettling) news not be equally important to share with parents – and to reassure them that the culprit would be found, and dealt with appropriately?
Alan Veale
Giselle Rosseau
Hello Alan,
Given that I have complained about the state that my son came home in few weeks ago,the coupe person has deemed that she has concerns about me with my children......I believe this partly to do with my visiting my son each lunchtime since the sorry incident. My son is very reassured to see me . the high level of brow beating all be it pleasently presented is still a heavey enviroment for any child......funny because I had concerns before her about the standard of care my son recieves at school. How come my many visits and phone calls to social services myself have fallen on conviniently deaf ears. What a blatant cover up!. So much for child protection. Had I brought him to school that soiled i would have had the riot squad on my back and rightly so. How is it so heavily biased to such a blantent lack of the duty of care that school should be providing. She has put a referral to social services this lady obviously plays dirty.she has also played the diplomatic card and due to child protection issues in the interests of my son the Gazette are not printing the story about him being in school in such a shocking state..I imagine that she is focusing acertain amount of time being on my case ,such is her MO!
I have found that coupe reacts in the same way no matter what you try to bring to her attention(large or small). personaly i find it grossly inappropriate. Passive is not appropriate all the time , all behavours have an appriate space tobe this is how children learn emotional skills as well as academic ones. I went into school today and with alittle time spare i took a look in the field to check on my boys. My eldest whoes jumper went missing iin school nearly 2 weeks ago was without jumper and coat(his choice but not my recomendation). My youngest came to the railing with his coat hood balanced on his head but no arms in the coat and the hat he took into school this morning was not on his head. This little boy has just finished antibiotcs over the weekend and so i find it CARE-LESS to leave him like this without reguard for his health. When i mentioned this to the very frosty dinner lady she showed no concernn attall even when i made her aware of his very recent infection. Even his vest and shirt were hanging out allowing a good draft entry.My comment was that the school was efficient but not caring , she of course didnt agree i would welcome feedback on this.
To have such a robotic person at the helm is in itself concerning without the many occurences over her time at the school. lets face it she can be convincing-I moved my eldest boy fromHaweside in October on the grounds that i thouyght the school to be sound. It is sound so long as you comform and dont have an enquiring mind!!!!!
niether myself or my children fit this category....Oh dear! , a personality will never do will it.I will put a request in tomorrow asking for an explanation of the findings you posted last week. It is a gross leak of information and to me further endorses my lack of faith in the functioning of the govening body. Giselle
Tracey
Please don't think i am not sympathetic but unfortunately, when at school if the children decide not to wear their coat or jumper out to play, the staff can not force them. The amount of times my child has met me after school without jumper is too numerous to mention, but that is down to my child. I do however sympathise with how you must be feeling regarding the problems you and your children are having at school. So am i to understand from your posting that you have been reported to social services? What for? Surely complaining about what you view as lack of care within school-time( not cleaning your child when he soils himself in class etc.) shows you are a parent who supports their children.
Though like many have said before, nothing would surprise me.
Giselle Rosseau
Hello Tracey,
Thankyou for your comments.As a parent it is difficult not to go over the top when things happen to our children that given a choice we would not allow. But when at school you rely and trust thiss enviroment to not only educate but also meets their needs in an age appropriate way. As my youngest is in reception , I personaly feel it appropriate for some overseeing of such things as coats. As I mentioned my other son age 8nearly9 was on the field with no jumper(because it is missing)and also no coat .He knows that I wouldnt recomend this. I do not feel that his health is vulnerable and given his age he has more personal choice than his younger brother. I welcome any feedback on this.
I have experienced my youngest coming out of school late Jan when the weather was prity extreme,with his hoood balanced on his head no hat and no jumper( in his bag). Given that he had been off school with chicken pox and immediatly after if not simaltaniously the flue.He was very low and had lost a dramatic amount of weight.
On a positive note I have witnessed asupply teacher in reception who lovinglywrapped scarves andfastened coats of every child whopassed her on their way out. i find a high majority of the staff prity cold fish underthe excessive smiles and high pitched tones.
I was denied access to my youngest today. Coupe closed the barn doors saying that she has concerns about my intentions in school. It realey is oldhat she appears to play the same record over and over again.A form of brow beating masked by hushed tones. I commented to her that she had no need to keep repeating herself, and that I was not a junior child who would accept being repeated to.
Yes she has made an official refferal to social services. As i saiid last night she plays dirty.Let her get on with it her reign at this pitch cannot continue for much longer and calling in social services will not put off pursueing justice within Marton School.I have put a request in writing today for an explanation over the packages sent to the media and sky news ect. I also asked coupe to expand on her "concerns about my intentions in school". Funny how this marries with my uncovering somthing else lacking the care of my children. Most schools opperate an open door policy. This is obviously not so at Marton, certainly someone as intelligent and observant as my goodself. Please I didnt quote myself as educated because I am not formaly educated, although thinking abouyt it i do hold a degree in the University of life as most do. Giselle
Giselle Rosseau
Just a quick mention that the news letter today made no reference to last weeks announcement by Alan and also no cute letters from the chair of guvners. It appears to be radio silence at present... Giselle
disillusionedteacher
Nothing has been said about the confidential files. Is it something else that will be covered up? I'm sure that's what the local authority would like.
Mr Veale, I hope you will tell us if and when you hear anything. It should be very interesting. There are so many underhand things that have gone on. People out of the area have been shocked when told about events.
As for Mr Turner, I noticed he sent a letter to the Gazette thanking the 403 people who voted for him in the local elections, not enough to get elected, unfortunately for him. It seems a lot more people were very sceptical of his party's slogan, and voted for other candidates.
Mrs Rousseau, I hope you get your problems with school sorted out.
Giselle Rosseau
Hello All,
Thankyou I will address all things within marton and anything regarding this very corrupt councel. It would appear that many stalling tactics are being played. I may appear to manyasthe bumbling detective columbo,you know the one, scruffy raincoat,asks bizarre non-sensecal questions. YET, always gets there.Marton realry is learning curve,once i have got my head around the depths that this tirant will go to in order stay in her control tower it realey isnt soscary infact you soon realise the real weaknesses behind such a person. I dont have to stoop to such levels of coverups ect.It doesnt matter to when the day will be but it WILL be soon. I guess I owe acosmetic apology for my reference to her throwing a"sickie",as her father in law has died.Condolances,God is good but he doesnt like corruption but game on I*m afraid. This person is trying to directly attack my children and I take that REAL personal, as wouldany passionate parent.
I have had a meeting with Mrs brooks after school,without warning MRS Norbwerry was also present underthe excuse she would take notes. I made it known that this made things a little uneven.I havent recieved a reply to my request for docentation s in school and my own official enquiry about the leaked documents.Also basic explanation of her "concerns at my intentions in school" Why does it take somany weeks to answer a simple question. As quoted by Mrs No5rberry my enquires seem to be swallowed up by thesystem,nopw whose system would that be.........the democratic faiir play system OR the my way or no wayy system adopted and force fed by the illustrious leader we so dearly know as coupe, please feel free to vote on that one!!!!!!
Airing my own dirty washing is no fun but if it exposes the wrong doings then i shall go for it. My yr 4son was on a trip today. My experience as a lone parent in recieptof free school meals is that otherschools provide this from school kitchen ,without fuss or drama. It wasnt even offered at Marton and as per usual any enquir5es are not encouraged.At least Mrs Brooks did comfirm she had also experienced in others schools. Why are there so many areas in this school where freewill choice is not available or manipulated, which amounts to the same. Giselle
DavidRoss
Good morning / evening.
I have been following this forum in its entirety over the past two years, and all I have witnessed is several people invest a lot of time on this forum. Slanderous comments have been exchanged, insults and inaccurate personal information, and most of the postings come from people who don’t even have children in the school.
Firstly I give credit to Giselle Rosseau for making a stand for “what she believes” is true. Unfortunately she appears to be doing this in a very humiliating way. I have witness her waiving a dirty soiled pair of her Childs underpants in the face of a current reception teacher in the playground. How revaluating is this woman? Imagine how your child felt when you publicly embarrassed him like this. Her rampant attempts to rial members off staff within the school are obvious, making staff jobs more difficult. Miss/Mrs/ or Ms Rosseau, surely you can see what this looks like from the outside, you really are not doing yourself any favours never mind the school. (also please invest in a spell checker before posting)
Credit must be given to every one involved in this site for your commitment, but haven’t you missed the bus so to speak. With the OFSTED inspection completed, whilst not an excellent outcome can we all not just be contempt with satisfactory?
If you really don’t like the school, why not move your child. By removing your child this will impact the school harder, every child is a channel for funding, by removing your child the funding will stop. Also the school will have to explain why children are leaving.
I hear Roseacre is good!
As I have witnessed in the past peoples posts get removed or more recently edited, wilst I have kept this post accurate I won’t hold my breath that I will be here in the morning.
But good luck to everyone anyway.
David Ross
Tracey
i agree with some of your post david and whilst i can appreciate how frustrating these things can be for some people, i agree that there are some ways of handling situations that are better than others. As you have stated quite a few people have been posting for some time now but just because the ofsted report had improved from the previous one, both under the current leadership, it does not mean that all is well again. The root cause of many issues raised on this site are still at Marton.
Unfortunately it can take considerably longer than two years to resolve problems embedded within any organisation.
I am one of those parents whose child is at Marton and due to my circumstances i am not in a position to remove them from Marton. Whilst there are many issues raised i have been very fortunate with my childs teachers these last two years, as said over and over again many of the staff still have the pupils interests at heart.
Finally i apologise if i have made any gramatical or punctuation errors, but lets be sensible about this, it's really not an important issue, is it?
Giselle is a concerned parent and whilst her methods may not be to everyones taste they are her methods, and she has stated previously about her spelling.
Now come on lets get back to the issues and not be side-lined by personal jibes.
Alan Veale
What price Blackpool?
There have been some interesting and valid points made on this forum over the last few days, and while I am tending to withdraw from this debate now for personal reasons, I would like to make some observations:
While parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their children attend school, it is the duty of the local authority to provide a satisfactory standard of care for those children, both academic and spiritual.
The local authority therefore has to ensure an appropriate number of schools within its borough to cover the needs of the community, providing the necessary balance according to geography and population. Parents then have a choice to make, often governed primarily by the closeness of a school to their home.
If something goes wrong in a school, for whatever reason, parents may then remove their children to a suitable alternative, providing there are places available – but where this takes place in large numbers (as has happened at Marton, losing the equivalent of a whole year’s new intake), then it is clearly a problem that the local authority needs to investigate. No parent would willingly disrupt their child’s early years in school without good reason, and the falling roles at Marton Primary School should have rung alarm bells with the LEA – especially coupled with the number of complaints/grievances lodged by both parents and teaching staff at both local and national level.
Quite simply, the LEA have NOT treated this issue seriously, and there have been far too many public statements from that department trying to make it seem that the school was “making good progress”. OfSted reports are not necessarily a good guide to how a school is really performing, as the national press have been arguing for some time. It is far better to look at how the pupils fare themselves in their academic results, and to listen to both the parents and teachers. In that number, it is not sufficient to merely listen to the ones still remaining at school, but also to hear the voices of those who have severed their connections – for whatever reason. In fact, I would contend that it is precisely that latter section of voices that need to be considered by the LEA, if they are to stand any chance of addressing the problems that are still self-evident.
It is a simple fact that the school still includes some excellent teaching staff who are doing their very best to look after the charges in their care. It is that central core that parents like Tracey still value, particularly if they really do not have the option of removing their children. What the school does NOT have is good management. We are in a position now where the entire governing body of the school are under investigation for what will almost certainly lead to civil (if not criminal) action against one or more of their number.
Speaking as a parent who HAS removed his child from this school, I could easily turn my back on Marton and take no interest. But I find it more than a little curious that the huge weight of evidence of the problems there are still being covered up (ineffectually) by the local authority. My children now attend other schools in the borough, but is Blackpool still the right place to educate my children when the authority itself behaves so irresponsibly?
Alan Veale
Giselle Rosseau
Hello,
I have had concerns about this authority for some time now it is intrinsicaly flawed,inmy opinion. The underground goingson at Marton ,including holy coverups is not at all reassuring .My methods are not always the wisest but I am willing to take ownership where appropriate
but I dont see others following any similar code of conduct. Being politly rude is still rude.
David Ross has disappeared as quickly as he came.Does anyon eelse acknowledg that I had already made good my comment about the sickie!He was quick to accuse but not so quick to apologise.......
Just to clarify my post about the school trip. Other schools provide free packed lunches to children on free school meals, and in my opinionso they should. Why should a school dictate this lack of choice t5o those who actually qualify.Is this democratic or for that matter even legal?
There has been a much nicer feelabout the school this last week due to someone absence. Staff arenot so tense and so the children are also less agitated.
We are encouraged as parentsto not take holidays interm time due to impact on learning. How is it then that teachers go oncourses in term without question. Our children are left with supply teachers,strangers to them in most cases. i knowof several parents whos children find this very unsettling indeed.Also as parents we arenot privy to the times when this occurs other than childrens comments to us.The level of trustthe school expects from us is very high,do we get this reciprecated, I think not.
Giselle
HM
Mr Ross
Hello Mr Ross.
re your post:-
"can we all not just be contempt with satisfactory?"
Marton used to be so much better - read the first two Ofsted reports. Many other schools in Blackpool are much better.
Slanderous comments have been exchanged, insults and inaccurate personal information
If you submit evidence of these to the local authority or Mrs Coupe they would be very grateful because we know that solicitors have been employed for two years to try to close this site
most of the postings come from people who don’t even have children in the school.
I notice you give no figures to support this statement. How do you reach this conclusion? However, I agree with Mr Veale - any school is important to its local community and is therefore important to EVERYONE in the community, especially for future generations. Just as hospitals, medical centres, local police etc etc are of importance to everyone not just to those who happen to be currently connected with them at any one time.
also please invest in a spell checker before posting
witness do you mean witnessed ?
waive do you mean wave ?
dirty soiled do you mean dirty, soiled
childs do you mean child's
revaluating now this one beats me. Could you mean 'revolting' ?
rial do you mean rile ?
contempt do you mean content ?
By removing your child this will impact the school harder, every child is a channel for funding, by removing your child the funding will stop. Actually 3 different sentences !
peoples do you mean people's ?
Perhaps if Giselle obtains one she could send you a copy !
mary
HM, you have saved me a job. After David Ross criticised Mrs Rousseau's spelling, I was on the verge of going through his post and correcting all the errors. I was trying to decide whether it really was worth the effort, so I'm pleased you have done it instead. We all make the odd mistake, sometimes through carelessness, sometimes through lack of skill. I'm surprised Mr Ross didn't think about that before criticising somebody ele's spelling ability.
I was also going to make the other points you have made, HM. It really is a nonsense to say those who have no children in the school should have nothing to do with it any more. I have no relatives in the thirld world but it doesn't stop me campaigning and contributing money on their behalf. What a selfish, insular attitude if we were all only concerned with things that we directly come into contact with in our own little worlds. Also, as HM says, on what is David Ross basing his assumption that most of the people contributing to this forum have no children at the school? He can't possibly know unless they, themselves, have let it be known.
Perhaps Mr Ross would like to enlighten us as to his personal involvement with the school? I look forward to reading about it.
DavidRoss
Thanks Tracey for your comments, I can understand your position.
But I would especially like to thank HM for correcting my spellings and grammatical error. PS you missed a full stop at the end of your sentence. Oh and did you use finger spaces?
Nice to see Alans still around. Thought you'd disappeared! (now you’ve got me thinking – do I need an apostrophe on Allan’s name?)
Let’s just see what happens this term.
David.
mary
Alan's not Alans or Allan's, Mr Ross.
This just shows how petty these discussions can become if they are simply criticisms of others' posts. Let's keep to the subject in hand, which is the school and governing body. This thread was started because it appeared that at least one member of the governing body was to blame for some files being leaked to the press.
I'm sure the police, if they do get involved, will have a simple job to track down the culprit. Whoever is responsible for this should not be sleeping easy at night. It sounds as though the net is closing in.
Andrew V
Ok, who said the leak came from a member of the Governing Body? There are other people who had that confidential file you know, maybe someone not as innocent as originally made out to be.
It's ridiculous that you point the finger at those who can't answer back, I myself have been one of those unable to post until now, for one reason or another.
I know for fact, that there is a full scale investigation ongoing regarding those files, one which is NOT aimed at the Governing Body but at the more likely culprits from the outset.
Wake up people and smell the coffee, you think you're one step ahead, believe me - you're not!
Andrew
mary
I'm sure you will know, Andrew that there was only ever a very limited number of people who should have been given that file in the first place. That limited number consisted mainly of governors. Hence the likelihood (although not a certainty) that it was a governor (with a grudge) who leaked it.
"I know for fact, that there is a full scale investigation ongoing regarding those files, one which is NOT aimed at the Governing Body but at the more likely culprits from the outset."
You seem to know a lot about the investigation. Perhaps you would like to elaborate on who the "more likely culprits" might be. Personally, I can't think of any more likely culprit than a governor - unless you are talking about somebody in the LEA, who also had a copy. In that case, as the LEA are directing the investigation, let's hope they do a thorough and unbiased job.
I certainly don't claim to be one step ahead. I'm simply using the facts I know and thinking logically.
Anyway, there's no real point in speculating. Let's wait for the police investigation. Then we can be really sure.
AR
One step ahead
I too was surprised that someone posted (Alan ?) that the investigation was aimed only at the governing body. While Pat (is she in any way related to Andrew V or David ?) was questioning Alan's statements a few weeks ago, she did actually raise the same point. Anybody could have got their hands on the documents.
However, I do agree with Mary - it is the governing body who are responsible for gathering the information in the first place AND their responsibilty to make sure that it is destroyed afterwards. So they are culpable to a lesser or greater degree.
SO it does seem, Andrew, that you are a person connected to the school or LEA (or police ?) if you claim to know that another investigation is taking place. As ordinary citizens we are not privy to this type of knowledge - we can only assume it was aimed at governors because of what I have said above - governing bodies in school are the people responsible for holding and using the documents found. Alan Veale was kind enough to give Pat contacts to verify his statements about the packs, the police etc. I don't suppose you would reciprocate by giving us a contact so that we can verify your claim ?
As for David, and his concentration on trivialities - haven't we had some pompous person posting on this site previously in an attempt to move discussion away from the real issues ? I personally think his posts are best simply ignored - and will ignore any spelling, punctuation or grammar comments about this post.
Andrew V
Mary - I'd like to pick up on a couple of points raised in your post if I may.
Firstly, you stated that 'the likelihood was that it was a governor (with a grudge) who leaked it'.
Do you mean a current Governor has a grudge? Or could you mean an ex-governor that has a grudge leaked the file? I'm wondering if you have inside information on the Governing Body to know that one of them has a grudge?
Secondly, in one paragraph you're saying the LEA are investigating and then in the last it's a police investigation - are there 2 ongoing investigations? Or do you think it might be possible that they are both working with each other on this one?
I'm only putting it to you that there might be other possibilities to the versions you've been fed so far.
AR - Thankyou for that bit of clarity, you are right of course that anybody could have those files, but you did say 'another investigation' in answer to my statement - (which might answer my query to Mary about her 2 investigations) has this leak already been investigated? If so, by whom and what was the outcome?
As for a contact - try the Headteacher/Mr Lund/Mr Weaver, I'm sure they're all in the know!
Andrew
Alan Veale
Just to clarify things to stop any further misconceptions:
A person (unknown) took a confidential file that belonged to the LEA, but was originally intended to be used as the case for disciplining a former teacher at Marton Primary School, and copied it at least half a dozen times. A covering letter was then prepared, purporting to have been written by Jane Veale, and the file with the letter was then sent to numerous organisations (including the media). The contents of the letter made it clear that this was a deliberate attempt to malign the career of the teacher in question, and the sender asked the recipients not to mention “her” name to anyone because of her connections to me.
We can speculate about the sender forever, and over the curious way in which the letter was phrased and then sent – but there is absolutely no doubt that this was a malicious act, and that it put confidential statements made by persons still connected to the school into the public eye. The legal view is that there is now clearly a case for defamation of character (at least one count), and the police view is that (while no actual crime has been committed) they support any civil action being taken as a result, and will supply forensic assistance to help conclude the official investigation. Both those views have been given to me in person, and I also hold a full copy of the file in question, together with copies of each of the covering letters from the recipients. I do speak therefore from personal knowledge, and I can also confirm that it was David Lund who stated (to the police) that he believed the file to have been circulated only to those people on the list included in the file (the governors). One other person held a copy – the teacher who had been the subject of the file, and that person told me (when I drew their attention to the “leak”) that it was their understanding that only a small number of governors (comprising members of the disciplinary panel) would have been issued with a copy. I can also confirm that impression from my own experience of serving as a governor.
I can also now confirm that, while Lund initially tried to throw the blame for this “leak” in my direction, he has subsequently admitted that it could only have been done by a member of the governing body.
So – there is only ONE investigation, and we will simply have to await the outcome. It is my understanding that this is expected very shortly. I would ask everybody reading this forum to understand that my personal knowledge on this issue is both unique and unusual in its depth. What I have stated above is the truth, and exactly what I would swear in a court of law if required. I do not wish to break anyone’s confidence, so I am being careful about how much of the facts I publish on this Forum, but this also puts me in a position of pressure that I find uncomfortable. For that reason I am reluctant to participate any further in this debate, and I look forward to an early conclusion of the investigation for everybody’s sake.
Alan Veale
mary
It seems that Alan Veale has probably provided answers to your questions, Andrew, but in order to be quite clear, I will also add my own responses.
You ask:
"Do you mean a current Governor has a grudge? Or could you mean an ex-governor that has a grudge leaked the file? I'm wondering if you have inside information on the Governing Body to know that one of them has a grudge?"
Firstly, I am simply saying that, in my opinion, it is likely to be governor who has leaked this information. I could not name all the governors, past or present, so I do not "mean" either current or ex. I am referring to the governing body as a group of people, not singling out a particular individual. It doesn't take a huge leap of imagination to conclude that if a governor sent this document (and I've already explained why I think it is likely to be a governor) then it sounds as if this governor had a grudge in order to carry out, what is, in Alan Veale's words, a malicious act. I certainly don't need inside information to draw that conclusion.
You also ask:
"Secondly, in one paragraph you're saying the LEA are investigating and then in the last it's a police investigation - are there 2 ongoing investigations? Or do you think it might be possible that they are both working with each other on this one?"
I would draw your attention to the following quote from Alan Veale's original post:
"This incident is considered to be so serious that the police are holding these packages for forensic investigation, so that the perpetrator can be identified if the investigations currently being undertaken by the LEA do not bear fruit."
Which is why I said: "the LEA are directing the investigation", followed by: "Let's wait for the police investigation."
Unless we are privy to inside information, then none of us knows what form these investigations are taking or are going to take. We can only comment on what we have been told (in this case, Alan Veale's original and subsequent posts where he provides the opportunity for anybody to check on the authenticity of what he has said) and the conclusions we draw from that information. Anything else is speculation, and I concede that I, too, am purely speculating as to the identity of the person who sent those documents. As for beng "fed versions" I'm not quite sure what you mean. I have taken my information from this thread, and based my comments on that. Perhaps you have been fed a different version?
Until there is overwhelming evidence provided by either the LEA or the police; or the person concerned sees fit to admit to it, then I'm afrid, whatever we think, none of us is any the wiser. The sooner this whole affair is concluded, the better. Then we will at least know who the true perpetrators are, and the true victims.
AR
Investigation
I'm sorry but I think Andrew's latest response, (and Alan's and Mary's) have not clarified anything for me.
Andrew clearly stated "I know for fact, that there is a full scale investigation ongoing regarding those files, one which is NOT aimed at the Governing Body but at the more likely culprits from the outset. "
This statement does not seem like speculation to me. He is stating that he KNOWS there is another investigation being carried out. If Mr Lund has told Alan he believes it to be a governor who was responsible, and if what Andrew is saying is true, Mr Lund is once again not being totally honest - unless of course it is not the LEA carrying out the investigation which Andrew knows about. So who is it ? As we know it isn't the police as they have already stated their position.
So, come on Andrew. Show us that you are not simply speculating or trying to stir things up.
Andrew V
Yes, a small number of the governing body received the file - 3 I believe, and were bound by a confidentiality clause, yes, the teacher in question received the file and yes the Headteacher received one. However, there were also representatives of those people involved, there were also witnessess involved ( a lot of witnesses if my memory serves me right?) so I believe that the number of 'others' far outweighs the 3 governors.
Mr Veale, you state you have a copy of the file - can I ask why? Is it the one returned to your ex-wife - did you copy it before giving it to the Police? or was confidentiality breached a long time ago? I don't expect you to answer that.
Yes, there's an independant investigation ongoing and no I can't 'reveal my source' as it were, as I too am bound to some extent as to what I can and can't say. But as I said before, those at the top will be able to confirm - it was good enough for you when Alan Veale posted Mr Weaver's contact details!
Alan Veale
Andrew V – I thank you for confirming details regarding the investigation. It seems (unless you state otherwise) you are close enough to at least one of the parties involved to be able to provide such information. The rest of us generally have to rely on news that is fed through at least a third party… Am I right in understanding from what you say that this file was provided to all those witnesses as well?
My own position has already been stated, so I don’t feel it serves anything to repeat it here. I made my statement to the police, but I am quite happy to answer your question, Andrew – although you will find the answer yourself in my earlier postings. I handed over the first files that were returned in the mail to the police. A further package arrived after that event, and I offered that to them as well, but they felt they had enough already! The copy I hold will be returned to the LEA for disposal – if that is requested. However, I tend to believe that it may be a lot safer for me to put it through a shredder myself…
One word of advice – if this investigation is to remain “independEnt”, would it not be better for you to shut up now, before confidentiality is breached yet again?
Alan Veale
Pat
Investigations
Has the school not been through enough - and had enough problems aired publicly? I have reluctantly had to accept, after my first posts that the packs do exist and know that they are being held by the police. Surely that should be enough.
The only investigation which matters is the one being carried out by the LEA as they are in overall charge of education and the hiring and firing of people. However many witnesses were on either side it is very doubtful that they would have received copies of the full file BUT the police have said that they would make forensic evidence available to the authority. I would imagine the papers inside the envelopes will have fingerprints on them which can rule people out, but also I believe nowadays that photocopiers can be pinpointed by certain characteristics.
For once, then, I agree with Mr Veale. Allow the LEA to get on with their investigation and stop publicly speculating. I am not sure, Andrew V, what you hoped to achieve by your posts, but they are not in the best interests of the school. When you state that Mrs Coupe received a copy I hope that you are not insinuating that she is in any way involved.
MKM
I agree with Pat.I don't know what Andrew hopes to achieve but he is on very dodgy ground giving away all this inside information.I can tell you that the witnesses did NOT receive any copies of these packs.It is totally against correct procedure to give out any statements to witnesses apart from their own.
Andrew V
I don't take kindly to being told to shut up Mr Veale, and if the attempt to assert some sort of superiority by correcting a spelling mistake was to make you look good, well it doesn't work - not on me at least. I could almost take your 'advice' as a veiled threat.
So, my apologies in the delay in replying, I work away. However, to answer some accusations, I was not in any shape or form pointing the finger at the Headteacher, merely pointing out that she also had a copy of the file along with a few others, so that comment was uncalled for.
As for the breaching of any confidentialities, for a website that shouts for 'truth' and 'justice' - you don't seem to like it when someone speaks some truth? Which is what I have merely done, given you some truth which at the same time muddied the water a little. The issue was, that the finger was pointed at governors, I simply opened it up a little. I certainly didn't say anything that isn't already known.
MKM if you can categorically state that witness did not receive all or part of the file then good. But there is evidence that suggests otherwise to some.
And so it goes on.
WAYNE HEYS
Andrew, Alan didn't tell you to shut up only suggested that you did so to enable the enquiry to be totally independent, "a veiled threat" come on Andrew there have been far to many threats made already.This message board has been running far quite some time now and it seems very strange that every now and again a new "Keyboard Warrior" joins the campaign and has information which comes from the inner circle of Marton.
By your tone of e-mail you seem very confrontational, I may be wrong, have you anything to lose as a result of this enquiry ?
Do you actually want to get to the bottom of this sad act(excuse the pun, read way back Andrew !!!) of character assasination, or how indeed would you like this whole episode to close.
After speaking with town hall officials over the past two years or so, I have to say that I have absolutely no confidence in anyone connected with the LEA or Blackpool Council or for that matter Marton School conducting an in depth enquiry.Like i have said previously, I HOPE I AM WRONG !!
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