martonschool.myfreeforum.org

Alan Veale · Master of Posters Joined: 07 Oct 2005 Posts: 118

I feel it is time to clarify a few points, especially for the benefit of any new visitors to this site (of which there is an increasing number):

This forum was first set up on 2 October 2005, as a successor to the first forum that began in early August that year – shortly after the end of term. Neither forum has any official connection with Marton Primary School, but both have been set up to provide a voice for anyone with an interest in the school, no matter what that viewpoint may be. This is as a direct result of the intimidatory tactics applied by the school administration, where staff employed at the school were threatened with disciplinary action if they were found to have spoken to anyone outside school about their personal concerns. This is known as “bullying in the workplace”, and a policy that would normally be outlawed by any responsible organisation. Members of staff have no other resource for speaking their true feelings, and that is the main reason why many of those posting do not use their real names.

Many (but not all) parents have a genuine interest in their children’s education, and once the news of the OfSTED report and Mrs Alderson’s suspension were made public, those same parents wanted reassurances about how their children were affected. Some of those parents received answers that reassured them. Some did not, and they were the first to write to the local press, and to contribute to the forum. Some of the "reassurances" that were given have since proved to be lies, or misinformation – leading to an ever increasing number of people who have lost faith in the statements that have continued to come from school.

These are the people who the school administration now target as “The Action Group”, but again, I feel some qualification is required: The website forum is not the Action Group, nor does the Action Group run the forum. The two are separate entities – just as Marton Primary School is a building, and the staff work inside it. Using that same analogy, those same numbers of staff include teachers, support staff and a management team – and the contributors to the website forum include people with various opinions and points of view. In defining the Action Group (first set up on 9 October 2005), I would describe it as a representative term for all those people who wish to see Marton Primary School restored to the standards it enjoyed prior to September 2004. There are no members, rule-book or committee – although a group of around 7 or 8 of us regularly get together to review progress, and feed back news from others that is considered too confidential for open discussion. By that definition then, anyone contributing to the forum that shares the vision of “Pre September 2004” can consider themselves part of the Action Group. This then is what Mr Turner describes as “a very small minority of people” in his latest letter to parents.

In an earlier post, I suggested that perhaps there was no longer any need for an Action Group, as the outstanding issues that we have been campaigning for are likely to be accomplished as a result of actions proceeding independently. However, several people have since pointed out to me that, even once the present administration has been removed, the school would still benefit from our support. It will take many months to undo the damage that has been done – so I commend that suggestion to you all, and at the same time endorse the idea that this forum will still serve a useful purpose once those posting feel safe enough to unmask their identities.

Keep on posting – and make sure Mr Turner knows just how many there are of you out there!

Alan Veale

savemarton · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:04 pm Post subject:

I would like to explain to readers that Alan is not solely responsible for any comments that are made by parents and friends of the old Marton Primary School. Alan put his name forward to be chairman and set up the Action Group. However, much before Alan's involvement I have been complaining about the school, along with many others. A small Action Group was set up much earlier than the current one too, which hasn't been as vocal.
What I am trying to explain is that there are many groups and individuals who have concerns about Marton School. The school and authority seem to think that everyone who expresses a concern about Marton is part of Alan's group - THIS IS NOT TRUE! I agree with all of Alan's sentiments, although I disagree with some of his methods. Alan is passionate about Marton and sometimes has gone a little over the top in how he has put things across. This has caused the Group to get a bad name with certain names in authority. However, he has brought the problems about Marton into the public arena and I applaud him for that.

Tracey · Reaching Full Speed Joined: 16 Oct 2005 Posts: 69

i imagine it must be very confusing for people new to this site and not directly involved with the school, to be fully aware of the number and scope of people who have been involved in the action group and this site. Whilst some may question some of the methods used, it has to be said that it is as a direct result of these methods that those in authority started to take notice of the events brought to light. Whether they acted upon them or not, spoke volumes and only brought questions from more people. Whilst some tactics used by certain individuals could only be described as disgraceful, i believe the action group have remained civilised. Voices may of been raised but no doors were shut in anyones face and no-one was forced to participate in any aspect of the group. I am not a 'member' of the marton action group, but i am very happy to of been able to put my point across on this site.

Lisa · Reaching Full Speed Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 69

I agree with these comments. Some might think some parents/friends of Marton and/or members of the MSAG have, in the past, gone over the top in what they have said. However, this just shows the strength of feeling of the people who care about the children and staff of Marton.
But the actions of some people who are against the MSAG have been unforgiveable. The have been abussive, they have lied, they have ignored complaints, they have failed to correct health, safety and morailty issues, they have wasted tax payers money - the list goes on.
_________________
Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.

Albert Einstein

WAYNE HEYS · Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 6:54 am Post subject:

Just a quıckıe the Actıon Group have yet to call ın the boys ın blue !!!! and also the Actıon Group has not run up a bıll of many thousands of pounds to get the school back ınto a posıtıon of pre September 2004. Thats OUR money beıng wasted. and OUR chıldrens future we are talkıng about here. We do not see ourselves as Martyrs.sımply tryıng to tackle the people who faıl to answer dırect questıons wıth honourable answers.ıs that really to much to ask.
If Mrs Coupe had acted professıonally and agreed to meet the parents who had serıous concerns almost a year ago.I doubt the Actıon Group would have been formed.she dıdnt OR WOULDNT so here we are.

Alan Veale · Master of Posters Joined: 07 Oct 2005 Posts: 118

Now the holiday period is well and truly established, it may be an appropriate time to reflect on things that have come and gone, and to consider those things yet to come…

Many of those reading this will be parents, so that kind of thinking will be familiar. We often look at our children, consider how quickly they appear to have grown in an impossibly short time – and wonder what kind of future they may face. Certainly, the summer holiday period, sitting between one academic year and another, will make many of us wonder what we will face in the Autumn Term. As parents, we may wish for a speedy end to the six week break for purely selfish reasons, but that doesn’t stop many others in the teaching profession from being apprehensive about their work routine once September arrives!

Twelve months ago – with the arrival of this forum’s predecessor, many of us had our eyes well and truly opened about the administration at Marton Primary School. Without that particular tool it is difficult to imagine just how much effect any of us could have had in trying to expose all the bullying and incompetence that we began to hear about. The administration may still be in place for the present, but consider what might have been – if they had been allowed to continue un-challenged. Would Mrs Alderson have been sacked? Would the school still have computers capable of accessing hard-core pornography? Would we be still waiting for work to start on the MUGA? Would interested outsiders still believe the school was an effective learning academy that declared itself to be an “Investor in People”?

A lot can happen in one year. It has taken a long time for the DfES to examine our official complaint – but they are still working through it! I heard from them only this week that they are now ready to question some more of the major players – and bearing in mind that they have been looking at the LEA for at least a month, what kind of future do you think those particular individuals may face over the next few weeks?!

Bullying in schools is never welcome news, and normally one can expect the school administration to suppress it effectively – so far as the children are concerned. Sadly, at this particular school, there seems to be no policy in place to suppress the same when it comes from the administration itself. This is a complaint that the DfES are looking at in particular, but the Action Group is still intent on keeping that particular complaint in the public eye. To that end, watch out for further activity aimed at encouraging the local authority to take effective measures. With the new term about to commence, the dates of Friday 1st and Monday 4th September are likely to see some “Action”.

It may be that, in the meantime, further developments may be announced, so please continue to check this forum for any news. We continue to look forward to a time when the school, its children and its staff, can return to a more settled and productive routine.

Alan Veale.