M. Ambrose
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Imagine ...Parents - please think about the events of the last few months. Please think about what it would be like if your child were punished, suspended or excluded from school, but with no reason given.
Imagine then that you tried to approach the headteacher to explain but were told that you would not be able to meet with her for another week. You go to the school for the meeting to be kept waiting in the entrance lobby for 1 hour, at which time a teacher informs you that the head has left. She has not passed you so has left through a side entrance.
You then write to her to request details about the incident which led to the punishment, but you receive no reply. You write again and receive no reply.
You write to the Chair of Governors, but you receive no reply. You then read a letter from the Chair of Governors informing parents that the constant letters to the head are victimisation.
So you write to the LEA. The LEA replies that they are in full support of any decisions which the headteacher takes.
You attend a meeting for parents and try to ask a question. A member of staff from the school shouts over you so that you cannot be heard. PC Coupe, the head's husband looks at you and writes something on his clipboard.
You try to talk to other parents about what has happened to you. You want some help, you are hoping that other parents in the same position might be able to offer you some advice. The school try to prevent you from doing this - they say that to discuss your problems with other parents is seriously damaging the school.
You contact the local newspaper and Radio Wave to publicise the problems you are having in getting a fair hearing for your child, and information about what caused the problem in the first place. The Director of Education publicly calls you 'vindictive'.
Who do you turn to for help now ? How can you make your concerns heard ?
It is a sad thought that all of the above suppositions are based on what has actually happened at Marton and we are no nearer to answering those last two questions. Please think again about your school, imagine that it is your child directly affected, or your child's class teacher and ask yourself - is this acceptable ?
If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.
Rene Descartes (1596 - 1650)
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stan
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Action???If this is really happening and I believe it has and is then surely something can be done??? Local MP's, other teachers, NASUWT etc.. most be able to do something.
The local press (gazzette) appear to be siding with LEA and not too intrested. Have you considered taking the matter to other publications?
National press, TES, Union publications?
The more people aware the better - you have to show that this matter cannot be swept under the carpet!
Good luck!
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WAYNE HEYS
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As you quite rightly point out there are many Avenues that are indeed available if that is what's required, the one thing you need to persue any claim of any sort is a) information and b)people who are prepared to stand up and be counted, the Action Group to which I am one of, has indeed had it's critics,yet I believe when all the information is available then maybe those people who were eager to criticise may find that they then are in the minority and have a change of heart.It is important to stress that there are many excellent staff at Marton , who work damn hard to provide the best for the children they teach, but for me ,this school is a shadow of its former self.
As for the suspended teacher, Well to be kept in limbo for roughly 17 weeks is simply disgusting, and the powers that be, should be ashamed of themselves,obviously the L.E.A. do not realise the suffering that they themselves are inflicting on other people,whether its staff,parent's or friends of the school.Then to be threatened with legal action,huh, Mr Lund, take a minute to go on any website , particularly connected to a football club and it will make the Marton website look very tame,wonder if anyone tries to shut those down too !!! A lot of damage has been done over the past few month's to our school,it is not irrepairable,though big changes are needed, I just wonder if the people at the L.E.A. HAVE the bottle to make them !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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