PARENTS and a union leader spoke of their shock last night after the suspension of headteacher Dame Jean Else at Whalley Range High School for Girls.
Council officials have taken control of the school after Dame Jean was suspended along with two other senior members of staff.
It came days after the draft report of a two-year investigation into the school by the Audit Commission.
Manchester council is examining the findings of the report, which have not been made public.
Last night parents said they were shocked. "Years ago you wouldn't send your dog to this place but she has transformed it," said one man from Hulme, who has an 11-year-old daughter at the school.
"The service you get here is excellent, she has done a fantastic job and I just hope they have got a very good reason for taking this action."
The Audit Commission launched the inquiry after three members of staff - two non-teaching and one teaching - made claims of unfair dismissal. The claims were all settled without liability by the local education authority.
The investigation is believed to have focussed on staffing, employment practices, interviews and contracts at the school. It is also believed to have covered the general management of the school.
When it was revealed last year, Dame Jean said she was confident it would vindicate her and her school.
Delegated powers
But on Monday night Dame Jean and two other members of staff - believed to be finance manager Maureen Ratchford and director of governance Stewart Scott - were suspended.
David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, says the council should have waited until the commission had finalised the report before taking such strong action.
"We don't believe there is a case for withdrawing the delegation from the governing body, nor do we think there is a case for suspending our member and we will be defending her vigorously."
"Before she had the chance to comment she has been suspended and before the governing body had an opportunity to comment they have had their delegated powers withdrawn - in a way which we regard as unacceptable."
Mr Hart - who has spoken to Dame Jean - says he believes she is shocked and upset.
Parents last night spoke of Dame Jean's contribution to the school.
One grandmother said: "My granddaughter has come on in leaps in bounds since she came here. Dame Jean has taken this school from the very bottom to the top. She lives and breathes it, it is her life."
Council officials maintain the action is "in the public interest."
Chief education officer Mick Waters said: "The education of the children is of paramount concern and we will do everything in our power to avoid disruption. Steps have been taken to notify parents and we will keep them informed. It would not be appropriate to make further comments until the investigation is complete."
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
she deserves to be suspended parents cant say she was an asset to the school because even the school makes us look scruffy we dont fit in. when we heard she had gone we were so happy everyone was smiling and laughing. this has changed our lives for the better. she had never spoken to us in 5 years yet mr morrison had a converstaion with us. since she has gone we actually want to come to school she wasnt fit to be a headteacher. she didnt even no some of the teachers names. im so glad she has gone and hope she never comes back and i am not the only one who feels this way. when we heard she had gone we could actually breathe i really enjoy school now.
Jean has done wonders for the school. I am disappointed to read the previous comment from a 'disgruntled' student and I am sure she is in the minority. I hope that this whole investigation blows over and that Jean will be reinstated as the School's Headteacher.
Obviously a stupid little girl left the first comment. Anyone who felt as strongly as she apparently did would have no quarms about leaving there name so two fingers to you litle miss ???! Jean did do wonders for that school - facts and figures don't lie, having said that, it was always goin to happen. People don't like seeing others be successful so they try and ruin it. The staff who were 'unfairly dismissed' should go into hiding or apologise. Jelousy can be a horrible emotion! BRING BACK THE DAME!
No she is not a "stupid little girl", this investigation is long overdue. What facts and figures you are talking about? There are so many facts that which contradict your statement Scott. In fact only two members of staff are not enough to clean the mess more should be dismissed. I hope the full truth comes out. There are so many problems and issues with Whalley Range high School brought by the arrogance of this head. I sincerely hope that she would be sacked permanently. I say to all parents who have complaints about this head, now is the time to bring up your complaints and send it to the LEA. DO NOT MISS THIS CHANCE.
I left a comment yesterday about Jean on the board, and for sone unknown reason the comment has not been left?
I was saying Jean should not come back to the school we cheered and had a party when we found out she had been suspended, obviously the M.E.N is bias and they are only leaving comments that are praising her, as pupils we have a right to voice our opinion.
Mr Scott 2 fingers to you!!!!!!!
I was in my last year at WRHS when Ms Else started and yes, perhaps the school did need an overhaul, but in that year it changed from a pleasant environment to a haze of purple, where the appearance of the school was more important than the education. Many teachers took redunancy packages that year, and many left shortly afterwards. Figures of only 17% of students getting 5 A-C GCSEs really astound me, as 90% of my class got those kind of grades, and have gone on to become doctors. Hopefully this investigation will shed light on the extremes Ms Else went to to get the grades she has, and explain the hight turn over of staff int he last 10 years. I look forward to the outcome of this comission.
In response to RL's comments - if 90% of her group gained 'those kind of results'. then that would mean - around 27 students out of an intake for that year group of around 170. This would give a 16% pass rate. Is RL talking about her form group or a 'top setted' group for say Maths or English? - Maybe it wasn't for Maths or she would be able to calculate this simple percentage problem...??? Another thought too... 'Those kind of results...' do not mean the students actually gained 5+ A* - C's - A large number of students gained just 4 A* - C's that year.
As an ex-employee at WRHS, I'd like to inform parents that although Jean did turn the school around, the price was very high for members of staff. I often felt bullied and intimidated as did many other members of staff, which is clearly reflected in staff turnover. Jean was often fare, but too willing to overlook the behaviour of some senior members of staff. Perhaps parents should start to consider why the school is so much more successful. Is it because of the lovely new purple carpets or the hard work, and dedication of the teaching and support staff? I wish the school and pupils all the best.