Hundreds join online campaign to reinstate Wirral headteacher (From Wirral Globe)

How can it be 'business as usual' when probably the two most important members of staff, the head teacher and head of maths, have been suspended under very mysterious circumstances? And the suspensions are over two months old, many criminal investigations take less time.
The governors are doing the school no favours.

It concerns me that whilst no information was given at the time of the suspensions, details now seem to be freely available to the public; where does this come from?
I believe that the Chair of Governors is new (looking at the school website it's a different name from the one who led the Academy campaign) so maybe needed to get advice from the LA. No teacher however good is immune from disciplinary action and I am confident that the Acting HT and the rest of the staff are more than capable of filling the void but I do agree that the lack of information can be detrimental to the school but so can the behaviour of the parents in this group. There is a very fine line and the group (I've read the facebook page) is in danger of crossing it. I believe that the Governors need to look elsewhere for advice because if it's the LA advising them to keep up an information black out then they need to get an alternative view.
Whatever happens I hope this business doesn't last as long as it did for Calday, or damage the school as much. This is an Outstanding school with a whole team of dedicated and caring staff and that shouldn't be forgotten.

It concerns me that whilst no information was given at the time of the suspensions, details now seem to be freely available to the public; where does this come from?
I believe that the Chair of Governors is new (looking at the school website it's a different name from the one who led the Academy campaign) so maybe needed to get advice from the LA. No teacher however good is immune from disciplinary action and I am confident that the Acting HT and the rest of the staff are more than capable of filling the void but I do agree that the lack of information can be detrimental to the school but so can the behaviour of the parents in this group. There is a very fine line and the group (I've read the facebook page) is in danger of crossing it. I believe that the Governors need to look elsewhere for advice because if it's the LA advising them to keep up an information black out then they need to get an alternative view.
Whatever happens I hope this business doesn't last as long as it did for Calday, or damage the school as much. This is an Outstanding school with a whole team of dedicated and caring staff and that shouldn't be forgotten.

from what i've heard, the teacher deserved to be suspended if the rumours are true, but we'll wait and see. as for the head, i heard she was suspended for not following up on complaints about this teacher, but we'll wait and see. the head has done a fantastic job for the school, but people need to be carefull backing both teachers when the truth is not known. schools do not suspend staff easily, so there must be something in it, but we'll have to wait and see.

Jack boot i totally agree with you and as for the "other readers" who commented well they really dont have a clue what they are saying,, but they still feel that they must make their "comment" i just hope that other readers dont listen too much to what they have to say on this matter when it seems clear to me that they dont erm excuse the punt " sing from same hymn sheet "... Its such a pity that the real truth is not publicly out there yet but i do believe that very soon it will be because our facebook page called " support ridgeway high school" is doing everything we can to help and support get our teachers back !!

don't look back in anger wrote:
from what i've heard, the teacher deserved to be suspended if the rumours are true, but we'll wait and see. as for the head, i heard she was suspended for not following up on complaints about this teacher, but we'll wait and see. the head has done a fantastic job for the school, but people need to be carefull backing both teachers when the truth is not known. schools do not suspend staff easily, so there must be something in it, but we'll have to wait and see.

We'll wait and see.....

The suspension of a headteacher and another member of staff is a very, very serious matter and I cannot believe the governing body did so without long consultations with the local authority.

Governors have a duty of care, and no matter how good the past record of a member of staff might be, they have to focus on the matter in hand.

These sort of things take time, and if the suspended head's professional body is involved that just lengthens the process.

So to all pupils, ex-pupils and parents the message should be: "be patient".

And incidentally, the school is right to say its 'business as usual'. Pupils are still being taught and the building hasn't fallen down.

The suspension of a headteacher and another member of staff is a very, very serious matter and I cannot believe the governing body did so without long consultations with the local authority.

Governors have a duty of care, and no matter how good the past record of a member of staff might be, they have to focus on the matter in hand.

These sort of things take time, and if the suspended head's professional body is involved that just lengthens the process.

So to all pupils, ex-pupils and parents the message should be: "be patient".

And incidentally, the school is right to say its 'business as usual'. Pupils are still being taught and the building hasn't fallen down.

Ever the voice of reason Ben! NOT... even though you've repeated yourself.
This is not business as usual, to the hundreds of parents and pupils associated with this school this is a very UNusual business which has dragged on for far too long, and the simplistic statement about the building still being there is puerile.
These people will be suspended on full pay, and considering there is a financial crisis everywhere how come Wirral Council are spreading our tax payers money like confetti?

I attended the first of the Acting Headteacher's surgeries, to which all parents were invited, a few weeks ago. A parent raised the issue of the suspensions and the Chair of Governors informed everybody present that the suspension of the headteacher was carried out after seeking advice from the Local Authority. The Chair also informed us that she was not conducting the investigation but an independent person had been appointed to do so.

Members of Support Ridgheway were at that meeting, one member even reported what the Chair had said, only to have his post, along with himself subsequently removed from the group.

So much for freedom of speech!

andiejb1 wrote:
I attended the first of the Acting Headteacher's surgeries, to which all parents were invited, a few weeks ago. A parent raised the issue of the suspensions and the Chair of Governors informed everybody present that the suspension of the headteacher was carried out after seeking advice from the Local Authority. The Chair also informed us that she was not conducting the investigation but an independent person had been appointed to do so.

Members of Support Ridgheway were at that meeting, one member even reported what the Chair had said, only to have his post, along with himself subsequently removed from the group.

So much for freedom of speech!

What concerns me after reading Andiejb1's comments is that the Support group obviously has it's own agenda. The School haven't 'brushed this under the carpet' they actually held an open meeting to allow interested parties to ask questions and the CoG stated that the investigation would be by an independent person and have acted on advice from the LA. If the group have deleted comments (and people) from the group who don't take their 'slant' on things then that is not the democracy they seem to be screaming for!
Again I say I am concerned that the group seems to have 'inside' information and wonder where they are getting it from.
As has already been said if the Unions of the staff are involved then that is guaranteed to prolong an already lengthy process and I would say that the best course of action is to allow this to happen, especially if the group are confident in their belief,there are always two sides to every story and whilst the loyalty to the staff concerned is admirable they must allow the independent investigator time to see this.
I completely understand their frustration but as I said earlier, they need to look to their own behaviour and tactics or they will be the ones putting Ridgeway in disrepute.

Jack Boot wrote:
How can it be 'business as usual' when probably the two most important members of staff, the head teacher and head of maths, have been suspended under very mysterious circumstances? And the suspensions are over two months old, many criminal investigations take less time.
The governors are doing the school no favours.

There are not hundreds of parents who support this campaign. There is a group of people who have hijacked a Facebook account and have used it for their own unbalanced, destructive and aggressive purposesand have just asked their friends and family to join them.

The real supporters of the school are the ones who wait for the investigation to take its course and follow the proceedures of the schools disciplinary policy.

Suspending head teachers is not something done without full support of the LA and neither the school or the LA are going to talk about their reasons for suspension while the investigation continues so these rumours circulating have no basis of truth.

The most important thing is to carry on supporting the staff working with the children making sure they are protected as much as possible from these unbalanced points of view.

Jack Boot wrote:
How can it be 'business as usual' when probably the two most important members of staff, the head teacher and head of maths, have been suspended under very mysterious circumstances? And the suspensions are over two months old, many criminal investigations take less time.
The governors are doing the school no favours.

It is businesses usual, because the staff and the teachers are exactly the same ones who have been teaching your children for years and years!

It's only your facebook site that is making people feel uncomfortable. You are not setting a good example to the students nor encouraging them to understand process and policy and to wait and see.

Sadly some students of the school have been encouraged to join the site and then have been subjected to extremely unbalanced and negative comments which is very questionable. So much for a support campaign...

Basically those on the FB page are supporting, they only way they know how... Just because they do thing differently to others doesn't mean you should DISCRIMINATE against the group...

And how many historical figures have sat back and waited for news... Sorry, but I disagree with sitting back... Fight for what you believe in, say what you mean and don't regret keeping stum!

Been there and done that, it gets you no where...

If it was a neutral act the HT photo on their site would have remained at Ms Roberts... Alas they have replaced her with the acting head... Whom which I have no qualm with, however I do not see this replacement pic as neutral!

Why Paula do you quote my post and not relate to it in your meandering misgivings? (except the 'business as usual' piffle stating that the same teachers are there... WHERE IS THE HEAD OF MATHEMATICS??)
I have checked out the FB campaign site and the only aggressive personal comments have been made by you!
I have just received the Ridgeway School Magazine which describes how much money is going to be spent upgrading the school which is fantastic news, but there is no mention of the elephant in the room, ie Head Teacher, Ms Roberts and Mr Miller are never mentioned, they have been air brushed out of Ridgeway history... so much for this being a neutral act, more like elimination.

Ben Beaconsfield wrote:
The suspension of a headteacher and another member of staff is a very, very serious matter and I cannot believe the governing body did so without long consultations with the local authority.

Governors have a duty of care, and no matter how good the past record of a member of staff might be, they have to focus on the matter in hand.

These sort of things take time, and if the suspended head's professional body is involved that just lengthens the process.

So to all pupils, ex-pupils and parents the message should be: "be patient".

And incidentally, the school is right to say its 'business as usual'. Pupils are still being taught and the building hasn't fallen down.

Hmmmmmm yeah right ??? .......

andiejb1 wrote:
I attended the first of the Acting Headteacher's surgeries, to which all parents were invited, a few weeks ago. A parent raised the issue of the suspensions and the Chair of Governors informed everybody present that the suspension of the headteacher was carried out after seeking advice from the Local Authority. The Chair also informed us that she was not conducting the investigation but an independent person had been appointed to do so.

Members of Support Ridgheway were at that meeting, one member even reported what the Chair had said, only to have his post, along with himself subsequently removed from the group.

So much for freedom of speech!

I would like to know who this member was who had post removed and you say was also removed from the group ?? The whole entire reason for the support ridgeway high school face book page is simply to Support the school and not to hinder things.....

Its really very very sad and frustrating that some simple minded people feel the need to comment so negatively about our help and support we are showing for the return of our teachers, the seem to like going on and on about this nonsense that they spout and the thing that i personally struggle with is that if any of your fab readers see these comments and believe what these close minded people say then THIS is going to slow down the fight to get ms roberts and mr miller back asap... please would all people interested in the truth and supporting this school just go take a look at our support page on facebook.....

Well said to jack boot and haddy nuff cheers dudes ;-)

Jack Boot wrote:
Why Paula do you quote my post and not relate to it in your meandering misgivings? (except the 'business as usual' piffle stating that the same teachers are there... WHERE IS THE HEAD OF MATHEMATICS??)
I have checked out the FB campaign site and the only aggressive personal comments have been made by you!
I have just received the Ridgeway School Magazine which describes how much money is going to be spent upgrading the school which is fantastic news, but there is no mention of the elephant in the room, ie Head Teacher, Ms Roberts and Mr Miller are never mentioned, they have been air brushed out of Ridgeway history... so much for this being a neutral act, more like elimination.

Suspended teachers need to have their privacy protected while a fair and balanced investigation takes place. No school or LA will make a comment about any suspended teachers until an investigation, in this case to be carried out by a third party, is complete.

If both teachers return it would be grossly unfair that rumours about their suspension followed them around. Everyone feels they have this "right" to know what has happened when you should just wait for the investigation to conclude.

And if neither teacher returns then you have to ask yourself what is it you are defending? As you don't know and nor should you, your fight where you name names and encourage a whispering campaign is misguided at this stage and you should accept the advice of waiting for the results before you comment.

If I was accused of murder and found innocent all the world would know. So why would these teachers worry about accusations, proved false., being in the public domain? As long as they got their jobs back.
But what concerns me considerably (notice I don't use use your uncomfortable, destructive, aggressive, extremely unbalanced, etc adjectives) is your sentiment that if these teachers don't return to their positions we have no right to know why?
I do hope you are not a governor involved in this ludicrous, expensive, inept fiasco because your attitude is cave like. This is about our children's education Get it sorted

haze32 wrote:
Its really very very sad and frustrating that some simple minded people feel the need to comment so negatively about our help and support we are showing for the return of our teachers, the seem to like going on and on about this nonsense that they spout and the thing that i personally struggle with is that if any of your fab readers see these comments and believe what these close minded people say then THIS is going to slow down the fight to get ms roberts and mr miller back asap... please would all people interested in the truth and supporting this school just go take a look at our support page on facebook.....

Your "help and support" may be the very reason the head + teacher dont come back as you have sullied there reputations with your "whispering campaign" that means there positions are untenable!

haze32 wrote:

andiejb1 wrote:
I attended the first of the Acting Headteacher's surgeries, to which all parents were invited, a few weeks ago. A parent raised the issue of the suspensions and the Chair of Governors informed everybody present that the suspension of the headteacher was carried out after seeking advice from the Local Authority. The Chair also informed us that she was not conducting the investigation but an independent person had been appointed to do so.

Members of Support Ridgheway were at that meeting, one member even reported what the Chair had said, only to have his post, along with himself subsequently removed from the group.

So much for freedom of speech!

I would like to know who this member was who had post removed and you say was also removed from the group ?? The whole entire reason for the support ridgeway high school face book page is simply to Support the school and not to hinder things.....

The member who was removed was my husband. When he commented about the chair of gov's informing us about her seeking advice from LA re head's suspension and how she was NOT conducting the investigation, he was accused of not being supportive of the group! And was suddenly no longer a member of the group! He was simply stating a fact and was torn apart for doing so

And I was removed from the site too, because I suggested your campaign should be more balanced!

And just because I don't have a Facebook account and did not want to use my daughtes account, I created one to simply put forward some observations about your campaign.

For simply setting up a new facebook account I have received comments questioning who I actually am! And my previous and considerable experience in NHS suspensions, which are treated exactly the same in educational establishments, has been treated with contempt.

You really can't help some people.

All of your comments have been unconstructive diversions, your approach is scatter gun negativity, your flavour of help is not required.

However, in the spirit of free speech, whilst I disagree with everything you say, I will defend your right to say it. a quote from a great man (not me )

Well there are way too many issues to discuss here but i hardly think the globe website is the place to discuss but if the above readers want to take me up on their debate then PLEASE come and join us on our fb page ..... simples ;-)

well i just re-read one of the comments from paula harris and am utterly shocked at the hideous words she typed on here omg you are so full of nonsense its bizzarre why dont you give up and stop going on and on... That is all .....

Paula Harris wrote:

Jack Boot wrote:
Why Paula do you quote my post and not relate to it in your meandering misgivings? (except the 'business as usual' piffle stating that the same teachers are there... WHERE IS THE HEAD OF MATHEMATICS??)
I have checked out the FB campaign site and the only aggressive personal comments have been made by you!
I have just received the Ridgeway School Magazine which describes how much money is going to be spent upgrading the school which is fantastic news, but there is no mention of the elephant in the room, ie Head Teacher, Ms Roberts and Mr Miller are never mentioned, they have been air brushed out of Ridgeway history... so much for this being a neutral act, more like elimination.

Suspended teachers need to have their privacy protected while a fair and balanced investigation takes place. No school or LA will make a comment about any suspended teachers until an investigation, in this case to be carried out by a third party, is complete.

If both teachers return it would be grossly unfair that rumours about their suspension followed them around. Everyone feels they have this "right" to know what has happened when you should just wait for the investigation to conclude.

And if neither teacher returns then you have to ask yourself what is it you are defending? As you don't know and nor should you, your fight where you name names and encourage a whispering campaign is misguided at this stage and you should accept the advice of waiting for the results before you comment.

It is unfair for only one side to be suspended... If nothing came of this and all returned to school... Which side will the cloud stay over... Not the non-suspended teacher who brought the complaint.

Whether the chair of govs sought advice from LA or not, the decision is not neutral.

For it to be a neutral act, all parties should be treated equally... There is something unequal in this balance. Perhaps the chair of govs needs a maths lesson!

See http://ld.practicall
aw.com/ldProfile/jsp
/article.jsp?item=%3
A30131927

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"They are there to provide an independent view and COMMON SENSE approach."

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Department for Education: The Governors’ Guide to the Law

Section 4, part 8.
Governors should act at all times with honesty and integrity and be ready to EXPLAIN THEIR ACTIONS and decisions to staff, pupils, PARENTS and anyone with a legitimate interest in the school.

Section 4, part 13. (in part)
The Secretary of State must be satisfied that a decision is UNREASONABLE in the sense that no reasonable authority or governing body, acting with due regard to its statutory responsibilities, would have reached that decision.

Section 4, part 60. (in part)
The governing body should only use suspension as a LAST RESORT after seeking to resolve any difficulties or disputes in more constructive ways.


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Thus my findings are that the Governors should:
• Use their Common sense
• Explain their actions
• Make reasonable decisions
• Use suspension as a last resort

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Is Suspension a neutral act?

“The Court of Appeal rejected that argument, "at least in relation to the employment of a qualified professional in a function which is as much a vocation as a job. Suspension changes the status quo from work to no work, and it inevitably casts a shadow over the employee's competence. Of course this does not mean it cannot be done, but IT IS NOT A NEUTRAL ACT."”
EWCA Civ 106, http://ld.practicall
aw.com/ldProfile/jsp
/article.jsp?item=%3
A30131927]

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The Chair of Governors should be seen to have used common sense and made reasonable decisions, using suspension only as a last resort

FACT!

If the Chair has not explained her actions and decisions to Parents then she is in breach of Section 4 part 8 of the DfE’s Governor’s Guide to the Law.

FACT!!

The High Court as declared Suspension is not a neutral act.

FACT!!!

Ok here goes in response to haddy nuff;
FACT! The chair of governors has explained her actions on several occasions recently at headteachers surgery, through letters + ultimately through the press release!

FACT! Seriously do you think that the suspension has been taken by one person absolutely not the case! as again at the headteachers surgery we as parents where told that the decision was taken with the full support of the Local Authority + that the investigation would be under taken by an independent person, I think that bears out that the chair made a reasonable decision!

FACT! This is not the high court + I would suggest that the governers are following Wirral Local Authority guidance

This is an outstanding school which I as a parent am proud to send my child to and I support all the staff and governors that make it so!

As i have kept saying, and i think every parent who supports the school would agree on, if EVERYONE concerned had been suspended then there wouldnt be the outrage there is now. There is a teacher teaching at that school now who thinks that the children and parents who live on the nocturum estate are 'skanks' and various other names, if you are all ok with that teacher teaching your children....well

Bwitch - if you or your children PERSONALLY! have been on the receiving end of comments such as these from a particular member of staff then you have the right to put in a written complaint in to the school or the Local Authority however if this is hearsay from a third party you should ask yourself if you are sure your loyalty is in the right place!

SuzyQ45 ,,,, all i have to say to you about your comments is.... please come and join our facebook page Support ridgeway high school and lets discuss this properly hey come on because you seem adamant on rambling on all this ....... ? when seriously you just do not understand at all and if you think you do just because you say you are a parent of a child at the school then am afraid thats just so untrue ! ... ;-)

SuzyQ45 wrote:
Bwitch - if you or your children PERSONALLY! have been on the receiving end of comments such as these from a particular member of staff then you have the right to put in a written complaint in to the school or the Local Authority however if this is hearsay from a third party you should ask yourself if you are sure your loyalty is in the right place!

dont patronise me, i know my rights and i know EXACTLY what to do if me or my children were on the recieving end of PERSONAL comments. just because my family were not on the receiving end does not mean that i cannot defend those that were....if YOU PERSONALLY know that a teacher in that school DID NOT say those things then it is your DUTY to come forward to the investigating panel and make sure YOUR loyalty is in the right place.... difference between you and me is i will ALWAYS stand up for what i believe in!!!

bwitch wrote:

SuzyQ45 wrote:
Bwitch - if you or your children PERSONALLY! have been on the receiving end of comments such as these from a particular member of staff then you have the right to put in a written complaint in to the school or the Local Authority however if this is hearsay from a third party you should ask yourself if you are sure your loyalty is in the right place!

dont patronise me, i know my rights and i know EXACTLY what to do if me or my children were on the recieving end of PERSONAL comments. just because my family were not on the receiving end does not mean that i cannot defend those that were....if YOU PERSONALLY know that a teacher in that school DID NOT say those things then it is your DUTY to come forward to the investigating panel and make sure YOUR loyalty is in the right place.... difference between you and me is i will ALWAYS stand up for what i believe in!!!

Good in that we are in agreement! we both stand up for what we believe in! Time will tell as to who proves to be right....