Any school governers about???

[Pipsqueak]

can you advise please?

there are problems in the primary school that the head is consistently ignoring and denying. Parents are now getting a 'support group' together as the train of thought is - going in indivudally he is able to deny and dismiss, as a collective he can't deny dismiss.

There is only ONE governer who is trying her hardest to help and work with the parents however her face doesn't fit with the school/staff and she gets short shrift (school have even gone so far as to tell her wrong times/dates for meetings etc). The rest of the gov's are 'yes sir' people and so far up the heads rear..... one governer publicy stating in the playground - when people have gone to her with their queries or problems... 'she doesn't want to get involved'

The gov who is brilliant - S - has found out about the role of a gov and the school will not comply.
The head has told her all sorts such as 'same old whinging parents' 'gang estate mentality' etc

S has now managed to get the head to agree to a meeting with parents - however the head has told her she can only invite 2/3 selected parents as he doesn't want a 'free for all' - to my view he cannot dictate this. Parents need a platform and there are so many parents in that school who have similar but different problems.....

any advice or info?

[lisbet]

Oh dear

In my experience the model of governance really does depend on the headteacher understanding and playing by the rules, otherwise it is a very difficult situation.

Our local authority has a Governor Development Service that governors can access for advice and support, perhaps the governor could get some guidance from there?

Maybe parents could write a letter addressed to the governing body detailing concerns/ actions requested, and asking about legal framework for parents council/ forum/ meetings. Governing body would have to discuss this at next meeting (well, they should!) If there was no appropriate response then guess parents would have grounds for complaining to local authority/ Ofsted.

*Hugs* to the parents and the lone good governor x

ETA: The governor in the playground is technically right - things should be referred to governing body to deal with at meetings rather than ad hoc playgound discussions, but she could have explained that politely!

[sarah707]

As lisbet says the govs can only do so much and if the head is unwilling to play ball then they might not be able to help.

Maybe your friendly gov can help you to circumvent the head and go to the LA if you are not getting anywhere??

xx

[Pipsqueak]

As lisbet says the govs can only do so much and if the head is unwilling to play ball then they might not be able to help.

Maybe your friendly gov can help you to circumvent the head and go to the LA if you are not getting anywhere??

xx

this governer has complained herself to LEA and Ofsted and is struggling to get anywhere.
her son has severe allergies and the school refuse to accomodate him and most in the school don't even know about his allergies - a dinner lady tried to force him to eat something that wasn't even out of his (specially made) packed lunch. Teacher refuses to buy him treats like she does for the rest of the class. Poor child isn't even allowed to go to the toilet - he ha to 'control' himself according to the school.

problem is there are no other schools in the area - two local villages have had their schools closed and we have their overflow and had to tag on an extra class, all the other schools in the area are at bursting capacity

[bunyip]

I don't know exactly what to say. Just stay strong, decide what you want and go for it.

IME, heads are a law unto themselves and resent anyone who tries to disrupt their little empires. Had this recently at our school, and any type of approach we made was wrong in the head's eyes - always trying to dismiss our case by personalising everything: "I've never seen anything like this in 20 years" "your letter was so hurtful, I'm really upset" and so on.

When we sent a letter we were told, "why didn't one of you come in and speak to me personally?"
So, one of us did just that and she claimed it was just that one person's view alone, and they didn't represent the others.
So we all went in together and were accused of "ganging up on her."

It's worth finding out what the due process is and following the correct procedure. In our case, we were told the LEA and Ofsted wouldn't handle the issue, so the order became: 1st headteacher, then governors, then Secretary of State (!!!!!). Be clear that you will escalate it if you don't achieve satisfaction.

Do keep a record of everything said and written: those "whinging" and "gang estate" comments are very revealing.

Good luck.

[lisbet]

this governer has complained herself to LEA and Ofsted and is struggling to get anywhere.
her son has severe allergies and the school refuse to accomodate him and most in the school don't even know about his allergies - a dinner lady tried to force him to eat something that wasn't even out of his (specially made) packed lunch. Teacher refuses to buy him treats like she does for the rest of the class. Poor child isn't even allowed to go to the toilet - he ha to 'control' himself according to the school.

problem is there are no other schools in the area - two local villages have had their schools closed and we have their overflow and had to tag on an extra class, all the other schools in the area are at bursting capacity

So sorry to hear that LA haven't been more supportive and that the school is letting children and parents down Maybe a formal written joint action/ complaint by parents going as far up as needs be will get noticed?? (Would your MP be any help?) x

[sarah707]

this governer has complained herself to LEA and Ofsted and is struggling to get anywhere.
her son has severe allergies and the school refuse to accomodate him and most in the school don't even know about his allergies - a dinner lady tried to force him to eat something that wasn't even out of his (specially made) packed lunch. Teacher refuses to buy him treats like she does for the rest of the class. Poor child isn't even allowed to go to the toilet - he ha to 'control' himself according to the school.

This parent needs to get the disability people involved urgently - they would give support.

They were great for me when I needed help for ds - the school immediately mountains to help him the moment they got a letter.

xx

[AliceK]

this governer has complained herself to LEA and Ofsted and is struggling to get anywhere.
her son has severe allergies and the school refuse to accomodate him and most in the school don't even know about his allergies - a dinner lady tried to force him to eat something that wasn't even out of his (specially made) packed lunch. Teacher refuses to buy him treats like she does for the rest of the class. Poor child isn't even allowed to go to the toilet - he ha to 'control' himself according to the school.

problem is there are no other schools in the area - two local villages have had their schools closed and we have their overflow and had to tag on an extra class, all the other schools in the area are at bursting capacity

Surely this is some kind of abuse isn't it? You cannot refuse to let a child go to the toilet. If I was his mum the school wouldn't know what had hit them

xxxx

[Pipsqueak]

Surely this is some kind of abuse isn't it? You cannot refuse to let a child go to the toilet. If I was his mum the school wouldn't know what had hit them

xxxx

Hi GP, consultant and school nurse have written. Mum has sent a written complaint to Ofsted and is waiting to hear back....

its utterly astounding what schools appear to be able to do and get away with - if it was little old us we'd be suspended hung drawn and quartered.