Marton School staffing situation resolved
In a joint statement it has been confirmed that the ongoing staffing issue at Marton Primary School, in the south of Blackpool, has been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.
A successful resolution has been negotiated between the School Governors, the Local Authority and the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women’s Teachers (NASUWT) - the unions representing the teachers involved in the dispute which involved the suspension of the Assistant Headteacher.
That suspension has now been lifted. The teachers involved are not returning to Marton School but are keen to pursue their careers elsewhere and there are now no obstacles to them doing this. As part of that determination the Assistant Headteacher worked for a short time as a supply teacher at Layton School. She is no longer there but that arrangement was part of the process which allowed the matter to be finally resolved.
It has been acknowledged that the whole issue has been particularly difficult to conclude and the School, NASUWT and Blackpool Council highlight the problems and delays caused by a small group of people as a major factor in extending the process.
A joint spokesperson for the School, the NASUWT and the Local Authority said, “There have been a large number of unhelpful statements. Many of the views which have been expressed are not those of the majority of parents and this viewpoint is supported by OFSTED in a letter dated 26 January 2006.”
It is clear that the majority of parents are very supportive of the school and its efforts to implement necessary changes. They state that the school is welcoming and that the Headteacher and staff are friendly and willing to discuss issues. There has been a significant improvement in communication and the work set for children is more challenging.
OFSTED 2006
The joint statement continues, “The future of the school and its several hundred pupils is of paramount importance and it is now expected that the school, which has been recognised by OFSTED as having made ‘positive progress’, will be able to drive forward and put this difficult period behind it. All parties agree that it is vital that the children of Marton Primary School can move forward in a spirit of calm and confidence and this agreement will go a significant way to ensuring that this can now happen.”
R. Thornton
Well this beats everything LEA have said before - they will be a laughing stock if the nationals get hold of this story.
What a thing to admit - a local authority with goodness knows how many legal advisers, ACAS, and a national trades union were stalled by a small group of parents ! I doubt the MSAG were even at the negotiations.
These are supposed to be professionals, certainly they will be well paid, so bearing in mind last week's Gazette report about job losses Blackpool people have a right to ask whether they are receiving value for money.
mary
Like you, R.Thornton, I read this and assumed that the "small group of people" referred to was the MSAG. However, on reflection, I wonder if this IS what is meant, as I can't, for the life of me, see how the MSAG could have hindered or delayed the process of sorting things out. They were asking questions, to which they had no answers. Perhaps if they had been given answers in the first place, they would have gone away happy. As it was, the delay was caused by the school, the governing body and the CSA, all of whom ignored requests for information, forcing the MSAG to pursue the problems at a higher level.
Once again, if this reference IS as I first thought, it seems that the MSAG are being BLAMED for the problems, when all they done is RECOGNISE problems and try to resolve them.
If the CSA aren't careful, they are soon going to run out of scapegoats. And then what will they do?
Rob
Costs
I sincerley hope too that questions are asked in council meetings about the cost of all this. The headteacher suspended a teacher praised by Ofsted, co-ordinator of the only improved subject (see Panda report) at a time when Ofsted stated the school was not providing value for money. The cost of this suspension - supply cover, legal advice, Capita, the hearings and now the cost of the settlement must be astronomical. What would Ofsted say now ? How many jobs could have been saved ?
HM
Accountability
The school want quiet and stability. I expect the authority do too. No wonder No questions about the Panda, Sat results, why Mrs Coupe suspended a teacher and why others have left. Where is Mrs Reidy ? Mr Lund won't want questions about costs incurred by this headteacher who he appointed. I do think though that we can start agreeing that it could be small number of people now asking questions - any parents who put their children's education first will have by now removed them from the school.[/b]
Alan Veale
Gazette article
I feel I should mention to anyone reading posts on this site today (Thursday 29 June) that the above statement was probably intended to appear first in the local press.
I received a call from Rebecca Smith at The Gazette this morning because she had received a copy of the statement, which was intended for publication. I have provided her with a response on behalf of the Action Group, and I must say to Mr Thornton that I feel flattered that the authorities consider our actions to have made such an impact! However, it is to be expected that such a spineless collection of non-entities would try to shift the blame from themselves for the incredible length of time it has taken to fail in their original quest…
Two things – Rebecca has told me that her article on this statement will appear in Friday’s edition (unless its Front Page news they have to prepare the articles for print the day before publication). The other is to note that the posting above has been made by someone who works at Progress House – almost certainly within the CSA department that last week’s Gazette revealed was likely to suffer redundancies as a result of a departmental overspend. Enough said?
Alan Veale
The_Truth
Once again, just when you think you have heard everything, something comes along that just knocks you sideways.
I think it is time to challenge these people through whatever means we can.....they must say exactly who this small group of people is, how have they delayed things, what problems have affected investigating and conducting a disciplinery?
The small group of people could be anyone; of course the statement is designed to intimate that it is MSAG, but it doesn't say this. I have heard many rumours surrounding this whole suspension, some of which I have taken with a pinch of salt, but one particular area which has cropped up from many different sources is surrounding the witness statements which were part of the evidence compiled by Mrs Coupe to support the suspension. What I have heard is that a number of the statements provided by staff of the school were withdrawn, presumably because they didnt hold that view any more, or maybe they were afraid of providing false statements - were these statements obtained under pressure? I guess we'll never know. Another point I have heard from many sources is that some of the statements actually contained libellous statements and couldn't be used. I don't know how true this is but I find it utterly amazing that a head teacher would use libellous statements to support her actions.
So, bearing the above point in mind, perhaps it is these members of staff (past or present) AND the headteacher herself who are the group the statement refers to.
I am so pleased for Mrs Alderson that this ordeal is over for her. But, if the LEA believe that this is now all over, they have another thing coming. Now the suspension is over it lifts a lot of gags off a lot of people.
I for one wont stop until I get the truth.
E. Maltby
I agree. I am pleased for Mrs Alderson and hope that she has managed to survive all that she has had to suffer because of the headteacher. However, this leaves the way forward to tackling the issues which began all this.
My first involvement was in complaints to Ofsted - long before the suspension The questions about the dubious statements in the report, which were not challenged by the governing body, have not yet been answered. Now we have our own copy of the Panda which is being analysed, and which raises even more questions but which also supports my belief that the conclusions in the report were not accurate. To be fair though, the Ofsted team did not have copies of the SAT results.
Are people supposed to sit back after viewng these public documents and say nothing while Marton continues its ever downward spiral? I don't think so.
R. Thornton
Ofsted comment
Just a small point worth picking up on from the press release - the quote from Ofsted saying the majority of parents supported the school. This was actually a quote from the HMI follow up visit in December, after he questioned 6 carefully selected parents. I wrote to him following this comment, expressing disgust at such an unprofessional statement, based upon such a small number of responses. He agreed on the number questioned and simply stated that it is not common practice to question more.
A statement like this then, not based on a proper sample, holds no credibility. Of course Bumbling Borough Council will ignore such a minor detail.
However I decided to employ the same research methods and have asked 6 people who have contributed to this forum what they think of the MSAG. From the answers given it is clear that the majority of people connected with Marton Primary School think that the MSAG have done a wonderful job and fully supprt their actions.
So, everyone, keep up the good work.
Lisa
BBCCSA - Thank you for your support in providing this information. People such as you are to be admired. You have not been prepared to sit back and let people's careers be 'played' with in this game that the Council are playing. And you have not been taken in by the lies that are being told by those in authority.
As for what the statement says.....well it's more about what it doesn't say isn't it. It says to me that the teachers have been paid off - 'resolved to the satisfaction of all parties'. And they have obviously done nothing wrong - 'no obstacles to them doing this'. So why keep a teacher suspended for 11 months?
If it is the MSAG that is the 'small group of people' it is worth reiterating that the MSAG has no direct connection with Mrs Alderson. In fact prior to the MSAG being set up in its current form there had already been a Parents Action Group set up in the latter part of 2004. Mr Turner will confirm this as he has complaint letters that were sent to the Governors at that time. Mrs Alderson was not suspended until July 2005. This is months after parents had started to complain about the school. DO NOT CONTINUE TO USE THE MSAG AS AN EXCUSE FOR YOUR SHORTCOMINGS IN NOT RESOLVING IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT WE HAVE BEEN BRINGING TO YOUR ATTENTION FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS!!
Oh, by the way, the 'small group of people' can't possibly be the MSAG anyway, because it's quite a large group, and growing every day. I think you'd be surprised at some of the names on the members' list too! We will not rest until Marton School is being run as a school should be run.
WAYNE HEYS
Firstly BBCCSA thanks for the press release,I am (as most of you are aware) involved with the MSAG, that litlte group of vindictive parents,who are now being mentioned in the release for holding up the proceedings.I agree with Lisa,that it does indeed sound like the teacher has been paid off in this settlement.
Now lets get one thing straight here,from a union point of view,if you have successfully seen your case through,you do not particularly care what is written on the JOINT press release,because you are not the ones with egg on your face,it is really immaterial what is written because you have WON YOUR CASE. so lets not get carried away with the idea that the MSAG have hindered progress in any way shape or form.It might make good reading for our councillors and MP'S to read ,but but sometimes defeat is a bitter pill to swallow.
My suspicions about Marton were also raised after the OFSTED report which I have stated before was not a true report about the school that I had been attached to for 9 years,since the MSAG was formed,we have become a constant thorn in the sides of Mrs Coupe,Mr Turner and Mr Lund, IT IS ONLY BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN ANY INFORMATION IN OUR ATTEMPTS TO FIND OUT WHY MRS ALDERSON WAS SUSPENDED that we have started to dig deeper.Mrs Coupe refused to meet with the parents of last years year 6 children,why ? what did she have to hide? Mr Turner came on the seen,like a flame in a petrol station and ignited the whole saga with ridiculous statements of how Mrs Coupe was the victim,and we were running a campaign of vitriol.Yet later he wanted to know what information we had,as we hadn't told him.If he had carried out initial investigations in the first instance and acted in an impartial manner,he probably would have got them !!!!! Alas, he sided with Mrs Coupe come what may,and from where I stand is not interested in the parents views of Marton School. Mr Lund meanwhile has had 8 month's to work with the Action Group following his meeting with Alan Veale,alas, it never happened,you have to ask yourself why not.In summary,neither Mrs Coupe,Mr Turner nor Mr Lund has been transparent with the information regarding the many events surrounding school,maybe these people are those whom this paragraph relates.
"It has been acknowledged that the whole issue has been particularly difficult to conclude and the School, NASUWT and Blackpool Council highlight the problems and delays caused by a small group of people as a major factor in extending the process." Interesting
Tracey
I have been a member of this forum virtually from the beginning. Primarily to gain insight to events that were occurring at Marton School looking for reassurance from those in charge(?) that these matters would be investigated and not occur again: porn access by a supply teacher, satsuma incident with infants, children being instructed not to tell their parents when something has happened, etc. I won't list them all they are clear to view on this forum. May main concern has and will always be my childs education and school environment. It is a hazzardous enough world we live in without subjecting them to further -unnacceptable- hazards in primary school. I want my child to feel safe in school and if i have concerns regarding issues then i have a right and responsibilty to ask questions. How these could possibly of hindered the resolution of the suspension of Mrs. Alderson is beyond my comprehension. But then again what does it matter what i think i am only a parent. I haven't rallied a mob to attack the school with pitchforks. But they know this and perhaps this is where their problem lies. I have no intention of stopping asking questions as i have yet to receive full and satisfactory answers.
stan
Sorry, but I am still very confused!!!
It has now been confirmded thatMrs Alderson - has not done anything wrong. The matter is resolved and she wont be returning to Marton...
So is she still suspended... The ress report said she is free to teach elsewhere. Surely this means she is now just an out of work teacher??
Have the LEA offered her alternative employment? If not she has still been badly mistreated!!!
Rob
She won't be quite out of work yet Stan, as teachers' contracts usually run until August 31st. I am sure the union will also have negotiated compensation and that no teacher would want to return to Marton. As the Panda and the Ofsted show Mrs A would be a great addition to any school.
So following my post above I was very pleased to read in the Gazette that questions have begun. My school is struggling as are many others and for this head to cost her school and authority so much is appalling.
savemarton
I thought it was quite funny how the council seem to be trying to blame delays on parents. They seem to have lost the plot. Mr Lund - Mrs Coupe suspended Mrs Alderson. She was last week 'cleared' of any wrongdoings. She had been suspended for 11 months! Do you really feel that it is acceptable for this incompetence to have taken place. This is only one of many many terrible decisions/acts that have taken place at Marton over the last two school years. Somebody must start to sort out the people who are making such bad decisions soon. Believe me bad decisions are still taking place. The staff of Marton are being run a merry dance. They are being told lies and people are trying to shift the blame. The blame always seems to be pointed upwards. Where will it end?
AR
Questions
As usual with statements from this organisation Stan, more questions are raised than answers given.
Mrs Alderson did nothing wrong so is Mrs Coupe going to face an inquiry into her actions in wrongfully suspending a teacher?
Why was she suspended?
The teacher in the Plymouth bullying case which was in the news last week received a substantial payout. What was the cost to the authority or school of this settlement ?
What was the REAL reason for the delay in settling ? - we all agree that the authority's legal people, ACAS and a national trades union should not, as professional people be influenced by outside agencies.
Why did the authority deem it necessary to put out false statements in the press ?
I too am pleased that a councillor has started to ask questions.
Liz
Puppeteer
Has anyone else noticed Mrs Coupe's carefully maintained silence over the last 18 months? She has set events in motion but never ever speaks out to explain her actions, answer questions or make statements.
Instead other people have done it for her. Gullible members of staff, naive governors, authority officials fearful for their own jobs have all been used in this strategy.
And she has wanted everyone to believe she has been a victim!
WAYNE HEYS
Liz,you are spot on,a statement or explanation from Mrs Coupe seems as likely as an England penalty shoot out victory,the failure of both leaves a bad taste in your mouth.Mrs Coupe was asked for a meeting last September,like you say SILENCE.
David Lund was making the statements for the LEA and Marton at that time,remember how he told us that the staff were 100% behind the headteacher,this was also stated at a council meeting and has been minuted,then SILENCE.
So along came Mr Turner, sending letters out of school so quick,you would think he owned a paper mill . Much of the information he put out was not accurate, and when he was corrected,you guessed it SILENCE.
Mrs Peacock made her views known and credit to her for sharing them with us,she supported the head,took issue with numerous people on this board then,wait for it, SILENCE. I think its fair to say that there is a pattern developing here !!!!!!
For the Action Group to be blamed for holding up internal proceeding's is beyond belief, surely no-one out there is that stupid to believe a group of parents have thwarted professional lawyers/councillors/ACAS and Trade Unions, then again because we are not stupid mean that the powers that be will not fob us off either, regardless of how long it takes !!
