martonschool.myfreeforum.org

JACKIE · Mildly Opinionated Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 26

It is no secret that Mrs Coupe is expecting a return visit from HMI soon. What will they find one year on, after the last report highlighted the support from the CSA, and concerns about the standards of education provided at Marton? No matter that they are six months late, as everyone in education knows that schools “causing concern” are monitored every six months. HMI have been extra kind to Marton in giving them that extra time to sort itself out. It hasn’t worked!
When they come, they will see that the staff turnover they commented on last December, which had impeded progress, has actually increased further. They will find three Newly Qualified Teachers beginning their careers in January, affecting standards in three separate year groups. Everyone is aware that the best NQTS are snapped up in June, as they finish college – many NQTs without a job by now are either terrible at interview, or suffice it to say, not as good as the rest.
HMI will find serious gaps in the management of the school. This time last year, Mrs Coupe and her Governors, spent considerable time, and much thought and effort, setting out a plan to restructure the staff in school (as all Head teachers had to). Mrs Coupe’s new structure had a Deputy – Marton hasn’t had a Deputy for two years, as Mrs Brookes is a supply teacher. She will be moving from Y1 to Y6 in January, to fill yet another staff vacancy.
The structure had an Assistant Head – again, Marton hasn’t had an Assistant Head for two years, as she was suspended, then seemingly paid off. She hasn’t been replaced.
The new structure had a Foundation/ Nursery Manager. There isn’t one any more, as Mrs Bastow is leaving, and is being replaced by an NQT.
Mrs Norbury is still there as SENCO, but seems to spend her days cleaning up – a very expensive resource!
The rest of the Management Team – hand picked by Mrs Coupe, are not impressed with Marton, and have told some staff that they are actively seeking new jobs. The staff may express their views that nobody trusts anybody, and can no longer work well together, and struggle to socialise too. Many are dropping out of the Christmas Night out this year, simply because they don’t trust or like each other. What a sad state of affairs.
On the positive side, HMI will see brilliant new computer areas – the only problem being that they have never worked fully since September, so despite superb facilities, which look great, it is extremely unlikely that the standards in ICT at Marton have risen.
Finally, HMI will find that the falling roll at Marton continues to fall on a regular basis – nothing to do with the birth rate in Blackpool, but quite simply because our parents continue to vote with their feet and remove their children from a school where there is no public faith in the Headteacher.

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

I for one have had to send my children to other schools because there is no way, as a responsible parent, that I would send them to Marton. I don't need to go into details - the facts speak for themselves, nomatter what the gossip says.
But I would like to complain to all Councillors and staff at Blackpool Borough Council who have the ability to sort out the problem with Marton Primary School. This school is local to my home address and as a council tax payer I should be able to trust my local school to educate and nurture my young children. However, due to the fact that everyone is sweeping this untidy mess under the carpet I am forced to use a school that is further away. This is a sorry state of affairs.
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Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.

Albert Einstein

teacherx · Mildly Opinionated Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 22

I wonder whether the councillors will suddenly start to do something when they are looking to be re-elected?

If they do, it will certainly be too little, too late.

As I said in my last post, they should be ashamed of themselves. After all they are our elected representatives, and as such should be listening to what we have to say. And then acting on it.
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Listen to the facts and decide for yourself

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

Teacher X, and anyone else who feels strongly enough about your "elected representatives", please see my post under the thread "Blackpool Councillors" in this same topic (General Comments).

Everyone has a right to make their voices heard, and while those same Councillors may not be happy about some of the content on this Forum, or even its very existence, they have to listen to your views, and act upon them. But to do that - YOU have to complain direct to THEM!

Yes - they are public servants, and accountable to the electorate. David Lund and Ruth Coupe are also accountable to the Council that pays their wages, and the Governing Body of the school is supposed to represent the views of ALL interested parties (including parents).

Unfortunately, it appears we live in an age where these public figures seem frequently oblivious to these basic rules of democracy.

Alan Veale