Help! Potentially corrupt Headmaster and Chair Of Governors
Discussion
We have a situation at my local state primary.
Apart from a string of serious health and safety breaches, some of which border on human rights issues, there has also been a migration of good teachers. Now it's looking more and more like there's a serious conflict of interest emerging regarding the Headmaster and school finances.
Problem is, the Chair of Govenors is widely considered to be in his pocket (it's complicated but makes sense) as all concerns and problems have been simply brushed under the carpet.
The school isn't an academy yet, but is heading that way. It's not a VC school either.
In these situations who can we go to? The teachers are pulling their hair out as much as the parents but it seems they are a law unto themselves. Local council seem to operate like a call center these days, so about as much use as a chocolate teapot.
Apart from a string of serious health and safety breaches, some of which border on human rights issues, there has also been a migration of good teachers. Now it's looking more and more like there's a serious conflict of interest emerging regarding the Headmaster and school finances.
Problem is, the Chair of Govenors is widely considered to be in his pocket (it's complicated but makes sense) as all concerns and problems have been simply brushed under the carpet.
The school isn't an academy yet, but is heading that way. It's not a VC school either.
In these situations who can we go to? The teachers are pulling their hair out as much as the parents but it seems they are a law unto themselves. Local council seem to operate like a call center these days, so about as much use as a chocolate teapot.
CoolHands said:
Ahhh the old churchy lot, eh. Try getting the diocese involved. Also send a copy to ofsted and the chair of governors as well as the local authority.
But we’re all academies sooner or later, it’s betterer.
You haven’t read the OP have you?But we’re all academies sooner or later, it’s betterer.
Local authority is still the way to go despite their shrinkage as a result of academisation. Governor services support governors so that’s not the right route, but there will be a head of education services with a department responsible for oversight of the local non academy schools.
Edited by MikeO996 on Saturday 10th February 14:29
MikeO996 said:
CoolHands said:
Ahhh the old churchy lot, eh. Try getting the diocese involved. Also send a copy to ofsted and the chair of governors as well as the local authority.
But we’re all academies sooner or later, it’s betterer.
You haven’t read the OP have you?But we’re all academies sooner or later, it’s betterer.
Local authority is still the way to go despite their shrinkage as a result of academisation. Governor services support governors so that’s not the right route, but there will be a head of education services with a department responsible for oversight of the local non academy schools.
Edited by MikeO996 on Saturday 10th February 14:29
CoolHands said:
u contraire mike, oh contraire. He says it’s not a VC school which gives me the clue that may be a churchy school eg VA otherwise why would he mention it? What did I say you disagree with?
Ummm how about that the chair of governors is part of the problem that he wants to complain about and that vc schools are usually “churchy”Edited by MikeO996 on Saturday 10th February 14:56
Our daughters old school suffered from a new head, staff fed up, parents fed up, and no action from the governors. We pulled our daughter out but shortly afterwards OFSTED carried out an unannounced inspection. School was put in special measures, Head suspended before leaving, all Governors sacked.
So I would write to te education authority and copy it to OFSTED.
So I would write to te education authority and copy it to OFSTED.
Contact Ofsted and be as specific as you can. They will forward it to the LA to investigate. The complaint will be raised with the Head on the next inspection as well.
However, if you you are going to do this don't be a t
t and take the anonominity option. If you really care you should happy to put your name to it.
However, if you you are going to do this don't be a t
t and take the anonominity option. If you really care you should happy to put your name to it.sparkythecat said:
Would it not be better if the letter of concern came from the PTA ?
A lone voice is more likely to be dismissed as the rantings of a delusional conspiracy theorist.
It would be better coming from a staff member but I could understand why they might not want to get involved. A lone voice is more likely to be dismissed as the rantings of a delusional conspiracy theorist.
There should be a whistle blowing policy at the school and this should be dealt with by the Governors (Why I suggested Governor services as ours works with School finances and overseas school governance) in the first instance, only if its felt that that none of the Governors can be trusted should the LA be involved really
NikBartlett said:
Definately one for OFSTED - nothing better than an unannounced inspection from the educational establishments equivalent of the Spanish Inquisition to strike fear into the heart of a school management team.
I think it’s this.Whilst the voice is stronger coming from the PTA or staff, there is a culture of bullying going on. Regardless of that, facts are facts, and there is no hiding some of them.
Anyone with the authority to investigate should hopefully shock them into putting things right.
liner33 said:
OFSTED won't investigate the schools finances thoroughly that's not their mandate
They will if the money is being misused (i.e. money to support SEN or pupil premium students is not being used for exactly that purpose).OFSTED is definitely your first port of call, especially if as you insinuate there are child protection issues.
https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school/state-sch...
sim72 said:
liner33 said:
OFSTED won't investigate the schools finances thoroughly that's not their mandate
They will if the money is being misused (i.e. money to support SEN or pupil premium students is not being used for exactly that purpose).OFSTED is definitely your first port of call, especially if as you insinuate there are child protection issues.
https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school/state-sch...
Ofsted will not investigate the finances forensically nor investigate a conflict of interest that is not their mandate.
The Local Authority will do this
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff