Thanks for all the comments! This is fantastic! There is some good discussion starting up too. As you may have realised the Governors are also aware of this site now and I am sure they are looking at it. Hopefully they are also getting a flavour of the mood of some of us. Lets not be too unpleasant in what we say - we are all supposed to be Christians after all.
As a commenter has pointed out there is a full parents meeting on May 10th. We keep saying we want the Governors to listen - that means we, in our turn, need to at least turn up. If we show no interest, then why should they?
So, what do you want hear? What 3 things would you like the Governors to have in their action plan? Please let us all know.
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96 comments:
Hello, I just wanted to clarify, in light of w3 parents comment (See comments on previous post) that the Bishop did indeed, in his recent letter,express concerns regarding the "QUALITY OF EDUCATION" offered at St Vincents. He said that this was owing "IN PART" to the number of changes of head. I would like to put the question again. In the light of the astonishingly high acheivements in the 2005 SATs results by what other yardstick can he, or anyone else,be judging the quality of education prior to the current heads arrival,as lacking?
Presumably it is part of the govenors remit to conduct an appraisal of Mrs Cleugh - how often I do not know. I think somehow the bullying issue has to be raised but this would need a body of evidence/info compiled and I am not sure who is in a position to collate it all or if anyone knows of all the cases. Surely the bullying must be the heart of the issue?
I think it's time that the Chair of Governors stepped down. According to A Guide to the Law for School Governors, published by the DfES and available to view on the Governornet.co.uk website, Chapter 2, point 27 states: "The maximum term of office for all categories of governor is four years ..." Clearly the governors are unable to to find a suitable head which meets the school's mission "... to create a welcoming community based on the Gospel values, where the needs of all are acknowledged, where everyone is valued and encouraged to achieve their full potential as we travel together on our faith journey, learning front our many cultural backgrounds." As such, it's time to bring in a new chair who can bring in some fresh ideas.
The conduct of the head is only one of the issues at the heart of this. Hard questions need to be asked regarding the governors mismanagement of the school. This includes the issue of headteacher appointments, lack of support for members of staff who have asked them for help, poor communication and lack of clarity with the community of St Vincents, failure to pass on letters of concern or complaint to the whole governing body, failure to respond, or respond adequately, to letters of concern or complaint. Colluding with the head in hiding information, refusing to answer questions and fobbing off concerns.
One of the most shocking and greivous faults is the lack of support for staff who, despite all the changes, have put/kept the school in extremely good standing. They have allowed, by implication of "failing school" "special measures" "concerns over quality of education" suspicion to fall on teachers, rather than themselves, which, if it belongs anywhere, is where the responsibility lies. They have, in short, allowed teachers to be the fall guy, carrying the can for their own shortcomings.
This craven blame shifting is cowardly and ignoble. They need to step up to the plate and acknowledge both their responsibility, and, belatedly, the debt they owe to teachers whose reputations have been unfairly maligned.
3 things for the governors action plan:
1)Confess
2)Apologise
3)Resign
Hear! Hear!
I am delighted to have an opportunity to let you know how I feel about St Vincent's.
I resigned my job at St. Vincent’s last summer not only because of the way my family and I were treated but also because of the way other members of staff and children were being treated. I believe the school no longer follows its mission statement or can call its self a Christian school. I now work in a school where I am treated with respect and where the whole school philosophy is to support staff, children and parents alike. This was not my experience at St. Vincent’s when Mrs Cleugh arrived January 2006.
Nicola Loftus – ex-employee and parent.
P.S. I believe that some people may feel too frightened or still be too upset to post comments and put their name to it. I understand this, I to would probably be too frightened if I was still an employee or I had a child in the school.
Bravo Nicky!
Can prospective parents come to this meeting?
Nicky Loftus deserves praise. That took courage. It would be a good thing if each of the governors spoke to her personally about her experiences, if they REALLY want to understand what some members of staff went through last school year. Many of you will know where she lives and that she also attends Mass regularly at Our Lady of Lourdes. Therefore none of you should have any difficulties in finding her.
As for prospective parents attending the meeting on 10 May, that surely is up to the governors. Perhaps a governor would like to answer that question on this forum?
Sadly,neither the governing body or the diocese have any interest in hearing from anyone who doesn't prop up their own ailing narrative. They don't want to talk to Mrs Loftus, or Miss Ryan or Miss Hibbs or Mrs Davies or Mrs Grossett or Mrs Pritchard or Mrs Goodrick or any of the other excellent staff to whom so much is owed and whom the governing body think we are better off without.
The way in which these people have been treated is a scandal.
Well done Nicky and Mercy and Clare good to put names to the comments. Clare was that a wig you were wearing???
I am relatively new to the school and so maybe some more in the know can tell me. How many of the teachers had left by the time of the ofsted report? Do people think it is due to Mrs C's influence in such a short time(Jan 2006 to the time of inspection) that the school 'went downhill' and a worrying report resulted? Is it possible that some of the staff weren't performing brilliantly and that changes had to be made, that Mrs C had the task of making those changes?
Mrs Cleugh appeared to set about talking the school down as soon as she arrived. Relationships were cultivated with the LEA inspectors. Very early on teachers found themselves being observed during lessons by inspectors ( prior to the actual OFSTED inspection) One can only speculate as to why the head saw fit to invite them in at such an early stage, or the conversations that she must have had with them about 'problem staff' etc ( before she herself had observed lessons) but certainly it is not hard to see how such an atmosphere of critical scrutiny would affect the mood of the school.
I was enormously surprised at the poor OFSTED and asked a teacher why she thought the school had been judged so poorly. She explained that several factors would have come into play. But principally, the heads determination to 'talk the school down' would have certainly influenced the peerception of the inspectors, with whom she had already cultivated a good relationship. Inspectors are used to headteachers talking schools UP. In addition, the atmosphere of the school was very altered. Most people perform at their best when they are relaxed, even though this is not entirely posssible in any inspection, when you have an atmosphere of strain, when you are not supported by the head who is actively scrutinising and fault finding, performance is neccesarily affected. I sense that the school was set up to fail in other ways too. It is normal, for example during an inspection for the head to take the assembly, it is not a duty that normally falls to one of the most junior members of staff.
It is more of a feather in ones cap to be seen as "turning around a failing school"
Simply taking over a good one, staffed by lots of experienced,long term teachers who hardly seemed to need a head might be frustrating for some.
Please note how the bulk of the exodus was almost entirely long term, very experienced teachers.
Note also how many newly qualified teachers and relatively inexperienced are currently employed at the school.
No doubt a much less threatening option for your garden variety controller. But not great news for the school.
The narrative that Mrs Cleugh would have you believe is that this was a failing school and she had some tough unpopular decisions to make in order to set it on the road to recovery. She set about 'setting the stage' for this narrative, I suspect, before she even arrived at St Vincents. Certainly, by her very first day some teachers realised that they were 'targets'.
No school is without areas that could be improved upon, but St Vincents really was an extremely successful and happy school which benefitted from a large body of staff who were committed to the school not least in terms of years of service but also in terms of being part of the local parish community ( and here I am not just talking about teachers, but administrative assistants, dinner ladies etc) We would see them at mass on Sunday, and it felt good that people who knew our children outside school were familiar faces watching over them during the day ( remember Caroline and Veronica in the school office? How reassuring it was to see them and pass over a forgotten lunch bag or PE kit, or explain to them that your child was a bit off colour today, and know that they knew who your child was and were people of goodwill and warmth who had real affection and concern for the families of St Vincents?) How is it possible to explain to a new parent what has been lost?
I find it sinister that community that is one of the areas that seems to have been targeted and destroyed. How many new appointments are part of the community? Increasingly the school is becoming a place of strangers who come to work and go home again. It is a crying shame. In a world of hustle and bustle and ‘strangers’ St Vincent's was a little oasis marked by warmth and humour and familiarity. I think this was one of the first elements that Mrs. Cleugh needed to see off. She is a martinet, more suited to ‘protocols’, ‘guidelines’, ‘policies’, ‘setting strategies in place’, ‘targets’, ‘agendas’… read her newsletters, its all there, dry as dust, tick box jargon. No wonder the authorities love her, she speaks their language. But it’s all as illusory as the emperors new clothes, pull back the curtain on the wizard of Oz and the smoke and flames are just a hologram.He’s a little man pulling levers, and magnifying his voice through a megaphone.
...False beard ;)
Not Very Christian Clare
"Not Very Christian Clare"
Erm, what ARE you talking about? My false beard joke or the information I gave about the SATs? I am happy that you know who I am, I have nothing to hide, unlike you. Is there a bit of Christian one upmanship going on here Anon? I'm not in the least bit competitive and your opinion doesn't make me more or less Christian. In any case,I have never made any grand claims for myself in this respect.
I'm sure you are a marvellous Christian, please consider yourself the winner.
I have been a parent with children who have and still do attend the school. It is both worrying and scary the rumours and gossipping that has taken over the school. Is this all due to the arrival of the new Head, or is it because a few parents have had feathers ruffled because they don't like what had to be done to bring the school up to date. 6 Heads in as many years is not good for any school. It affects teachers and children, which in turn affects parents.
No teacher is "brilliant" for every child - as many parents with children that were deemed to be in "failing years" can testify. As for the remark about STATs they mean nothing. Any child can be taught how to pass exams, but do they know how to read, write and do maths? Many children have reached the merry highs of year 5/6 and are not compete in these areas. Can this be blamed completely on a new Head, or a long and steady run of the "wrong" teachers. If the teaching was so brilliant, why have you Claire and Cathy taken your children out? Why do so many of the parents need to "pay" for children to have tutoring to bring them up to speed - to attain the Level 5!!
We should all be working towards the same goal - the good of our Children! All this in fighting can bring no good. Like Mrs C or loath Mrs C, like the Governors or hate them, I would ike to believe they had the best intentions in the actions they took.
". As for the remark about STATs they mean nothing. Any child can be taught how to pass exams, but do they know how to read, write and do maths?"
Well, it's a bit tricky to pass exams if you don't know how to read and write, but as I said earlier:
"I set no great store by SATs, but there is no other yardstick that I am aware of."
So, the question remains if the education was actually poor despite the conjuring trick of managing to achieve record SATs, how was that discerned? What yardstick, other than the SATs is there?
Oh, and by the way, when you say:
"Why do so many of the parents need to "pay" for children to have tutoring to bring them up to speed - to attain the Level 5!!"
Are you seriously proposing that St Vincents excellent performance in KS2 SATs was because all those parents were paying for extra tutoring?
One more time ( I seem to be single handedly upping the comment count here!) In answer to:
"If the teaching was so brilliant, why have you Claire and Cathy taken your children out?"
I outlined my issues about taking my son out of school in a comment on May 1st, please do read that if you're interested. I did not have concerns about the quality of education.If that had been the case I would have chosen an alternative school. Moreover, my other son was in the year that came top in SATs in the Ealing borough, and none of my children have ever had private tutors for anything, so I had every reason to have confidence in the education that was being offered at the school. That is PRECISELY why I expressed my surprise at this 'quality of education' concern.
Cathy took her daughter out more recently, and I don't think that can reasonably be construed as owing to a concern existing prior to the current heads appointment.
I'll leave her to answer for herself however.
Clare
United we stand divided we fall. Bickering is not going to get anyone anywhere. These rumuors true or false are spoiling the "St-Vincent’s" Brand name. I feel proud to say my child attends this school as it has a good reputation. Bad news travel fast and these rumurs will impact the school name and bring the school down.Comment made 4th May, 10.38, " sadly, neither the governing body or the diocese has any interest in hearing from anyone who doesn't prop up their own ailing narrative. They don't want to talk to Mrs. Loftus, or Miss Ryan or Miss Hibbs or Mrs Davies or Mrs Grossett or Mrs Pritchard or Mrs Goodrick or any of the other excellent staff to whom so much is owed and whom the governing body think we are better off without". I know for sure at least 2 of these teachers are saddened by what is being said about their head so where did this come from.
To the SATS mean nothing poster.
What you say is incredulous
why bother with O levels,
A levels ,Degrees,just let your
children leave school with no
formal qualifications. Next you
will be saying Head Teachers
do not need any qualifications!!.
Being a school Govenor is a sort
of thing someone might put on a CV
this also requires no formal qualifications.
Why not Replace experienced teachers with NQTs or teachers with only a few
years experience and save as much
of your budget as possible.
Where has all the money saved on
staffing at St Vincents gone,
maybe the LEA should look into
the school accounts.
We don't want our school being
accused of fraud.
The reasons why we withdrew our daughter are very simple. If she is to learn by example we did not trust it to be the right example. We saw the anxiety being experienced by some people and this was enough for us to believe it was not a healthy place. Yes, I heard stuff about individual experiences and I was not always sympathetic. We came to realise though that it was because they happened in such an unloving and hostile environment that the experience became so serious and life shattering for the individuals involved. It would not have worried us so much if we had not been close to the Hillingdon community and seen the damage done there. Sometimes we have to trust our instincts and act on them. This is what we did. The decision has sometimes made very dear friendships tricky but we have overcome all that now.
Regarding the school reputation and brand. A brand that misleads will be short lived anyway. The blog is a way of finding out what needs to be addressed, acting on it and building a stronger brand as a result. A brand that says that parents have their childrens best interests at heart, listen, speak and act to protect their school. That it puts the welfare of everyone involved with the community first and supports and nutures. A brand that says we are happy and therefore able to learn. A brand that says we can go to our head with any problem at all and that they will listen, counsel and act with integrity.
"Not Very Christian Clare"
"As for the remark about STATs they mean nothing. Any child can be taught how to pass exams, but do they know how to read, write and do maths?"
"These rumuors true or false are spoiling the "St-Vincent’s" Brand name."
"I would rather bullies were frightened of her so they can appreciate what it is like to be on receiving end."
"How can you be sure the next Head want be worse than this one."
It is good to hear from some who are more supportive of the current 'regime'. We don't want a futile one way conversation here. However, surely someone can come up with a more robust, articulate and better thought out argument than this rather childish twaddle?
Seriously, I apologise if I offend these commenters, that is really not my intention. But I am really keen to draw out something coherent from 'the other side'.
We are talking about really serious issues here. Peoples personal and professional lives have been very profoundly affected. Lets have some intelligent debate.
And can we please avoid painting this as an unseemly 'brawl' or 'squabble'. I sense that this is just a rather foolish way of attempting to undermine the validity of our questions. We are perfectly serious people asking clear headed questions. We are not at war.
It just won't do to say glib things like
"united we stand, divided we fall"
If a wrong may have happened, that needs to be investigated without fear or cover up. After the apartheid regime collapsed in South Africa, the new government understood this principle. This is why they established the Truth And Reconciliation commission. One of the greatest effects of that was that victims were simply HEARD. After that they were able to forgive and move on with their lives.It is simplistic and wrong to think that it is somehow more 'Christian' to say to someone who has suffered 'forgive', 'unite' etc The road to peace is more often hard won.It involves patience and a willingness to listen. It involves humility, truth and justice. Anything else is simply cleaning the outside of the cup while the inside is full of fetid rotten matter.
We shouldn't give two figs about 'reputation' we should be more concerned about reality. Lets be concerned to have a cup that is clean on the inside as well as the out.
Now THAT 'peacemaker' would be a real, rather than a phony, peace.
Well said Cathy.
To those who are trying to lay a guilt trip on other conscientious folk by quoting bits of scripture or accusing them (horrors!) of being 'unchristian' I would point out the fact the Gospels never tell us not to condemn. This is one of those great little things that we Christians forget about. Christ tells us about right judgement.
The next time you consider “What would Jesus Do?” Remember that Freak Out and turn the tables over is a valid option.
"6 Heads in as many years is not good for any school."
THERE WERE NOT 6 HEADS IN 6 YEARS!!!
Where did you get this figure from???
There were 3 Heads: Govan, Murphy and Cleugh.
Sheesh
Peacemaker said
'They don't want to talk to Mrs. Loftus, or Miss Ryan or Miss Hibbs or Mrs Davies or Mrs Grossett or Mrs Pritchard or Mrs Goodrick or any of the other excellent staff to whom so much is owed and whom the governing body think we are better off without". I know for sure at least 2 of these teachers are saddened by what is being said about their head so where did this come from.'
As one of those teachers, who is still in touch with all of the above and feels able to speak on behalf of them too I am interested to know which two of us feel sad about what is being said about Mrs Cleugh. I, for one, am very happy that the veil is slowly being lifted and look forward to the day that Mrs Cleugh leaves St Vincents and the community can re-establish itself as the loving, caring community it once was!
I'm sorry but 'Peacemaker' is being dishonest and misleading. Crdentials which rather undermine the noble title they have chosen for themslf.
The only thing that they can know 'for sure' is that 'at least 2 of these teachers are saddened' the 'by what is being said about their head' part is purely 'peacemakers' own construction.
This is another example of the spin,lack of honesty and manipulation of the truth which many of us have found so disturbing.
A day is coming when EVERY LIE WILL BE EXPOSED.
For any one interested in the truth you can look at the St Mary's OFSTED report on the OFSTED web site which says
"There is a real sense that the school is a family which includes all the pupils, staff and parents. Pupils from a wide variety of backgrounds with a range of different needs and abilities feel safe, secure and are supported well. This confirms parents' and pupils' positive views of the school and the school's own view of itself. Leadership and management are good because the headteacher and senior managers set a clear direction to the school's work. Staff, governors, parents and pupils are all involved in some way in improving the school. The school knows its strengths and weaknesses well which means that it has already identified the most important things it needs to do to get even better."
You can also look at the OFSTED for that school under its previous Head - but truth and real information available on internet is not what this blog is about. I am not asking anyone to believe me but if you are concerned look with your own eyes and not with those who have an agenda.
Dear Anonymous. You appear to be very happy with the new regime at St Vincent’s
So why do you hide yourself. If what you are saying is the truth, put your name to it. If there is no fear in the school, then why are you afraid to tell us who you are?
My children no longer attend St Vincent’s, Thank God! I was involved with the school for over 7 years and I’m devastated by what has happened.
Tony its not about supporting the 'regime' or being on one side or another its about objective evidence on which to make a judgement.
I will continue to look for objective evidence on which to form an opinion but what I will not listen to is rumour, gossip and conjecture.
You ask me my name, but do not ask those who have used this blog to name others and ridicule or insult them.
Is it obvious why I would not put my name to this blog? Already I am told by this blog that anyone with a different view is a 'minor bully' or speaks 'childish twaddle' - I do not want to be the subject of cyberbullying or worse at the school gate when I pick up my kids.
To Anon. who quotes the St Marys OFSTED report..
The inspectors will report on what they perceive of the school they visit and this perception is very much guided by what the headteacher leads them to believe. In a climate of fear, similar to that which has been created at St Vincent's, other members of the school community will not feel they have an opportunity to speak out against the head teacher, or want to make the school look bad,as that will reflect on themselves as professionals or memebrs of the school. This has been proven by the OFSTED inspection carried out at St Vincent's last year. Much of what the inspectors reported on negatively was information that Mrs Cleugh either told them or didn't tell them. It is my belief that she did this to support her campaign to rid the school of certain members of staff who did not fit with her game plan. Its also possible that she is hoping to stay at the school until the next OFSTED, when she will show the inspectors how she has turned around the school; which will be false as the school was a great school before she arrived! Whatever her reasons are it is clear to me that you cannot neccessarily set any store in what is reported in the OFSTED report in either of these schools. I don't like to listen to gossip but where there is smoke there must be fire. My advice is to listen to witnesses with an open mind. Consider all the evidence and ask for Gods guidance.
Anon 4.50 pm. You said:
"I will continue to look for objective evidence on which to form an opinion but what I will not listen to is rumour, gossip and conjecture."
You don't need to look very hard for objective evidence, it's all there, but it's not the kind of evidence you find agreeable.
Numerous people have told their stories and left. They have not been listened to. These are people that the governors have known, worked and worshipped alongside for years. They totally ignored their plight, preferring to throw their lot in with a woman who has previous form in her last school where she is notorious.
When you won't listen to the FIRST HAND HUMAN ACCOUNT and prefer to dismiss it as 'gossip and conjecture', I have to wonder exactly what evidence WOULD satisfy you.
Let me see
We cannot trust OFSTED because they write what the Head tells them
We can not trust the LEA
We can not trust the Diocese
but you want me to trust you!
No school would ever be found wanting if all of these different professionals followed lamely behind a Head. As usual, I am asked to believe that either everyone has conspired against our school or they are all enthralled to the Head - This is not objective evidence.
As I said I have been looking for objective evidence this includes up at the school. Talking to real people at the school gate with names I know and trust. They are not apathetic, 80% participated in the survey. They have opinions and experiences which differ from those written by people on this blog. I speak to my children.
I remember what people who have added to this web site have said to me about various teachers and former heads before the current head arrived.
I continue to look for objective evidence on which to form an opinion. Instead on this web site I am offered people who think they are empowered to talk for others, who insult others. Had they acted more reasonably, setting out their arguments, putting down evidence I can trust, had they acted in Christian way, I might have been swayed. As it is I keep looking for the evidence!
how can we trust the inregrity and
impartiality of a govenor when their family benefit financially
via St Benedicts bursaries
What kind of evidence do you look for?
There have been plenty of people offering their own accounts of how they have been treated. Some of the teachers who left attended an exit interview where they explained how they felt and stated their reasons for leaving. The evidence from these meetings have been presented in only partial form to the governors thus giving a false impression. Or in some cases the evidence was not given at all. Where true witness evidence is falsified in such a way how else can victims share their accounts, other than by talking about it in a safe forum such as this. If you choose to call this gossip, so be it. You seem to be of those people who will never be convinced of such wrongdoings even when the evidence is before your eyes. Brings to mind the way the world turned their heads in WWII, regarding the Jewish plight!
"Had they acted more reasonably, setting out their arguments, putting down evidence I can trust, had they acted in Christian way, I might have been swayed."
No, you wouldn't have been. Because you weren't. We have been reasonable for more than a year. We have gone through every available legitimate channel. We have been met by governors who stick their fingers in their ears and go"la la la". Now we are jumping up and down you say "oooh, look at you, jumping up and down. Had you been more restrained I would have listened to you".
"Already I am told by this blog that anyone with a different view is a 'minor bully' or speaks 'childish twaddle' "
Not true. I've looked and could find no statement of that sort.The closest I could find was this
"It is good to hear from some who are more supportive of the current 'regime'. We don't want a futile one way conversation here. However, surely someone can come up with a more robust, articulate and better thought out argument than this rather childish twaddle? "
Nothing insulting about "anyone with a different view".
"I do not want to be the subject of cyberbullying or worse at the school gate when I pick up my kids."
No indeed. Bullying is a serious business isn't it anonymous?
I still have not heard you give me any evidence. Instead you tell me what I think and what I am.
I hear anger in what you say and do not doubt you feel something has been done to you, but not evidence.
So many victims, their you go again. Always so many but no names. Grand statements but no evidence.
The jewish comment shows a lack of proportion that is startling.
I ask for evidence and all you do is gang up and attack. What I could call bullying.
Tony - I think my point is made – give my name you must be joking!
I ask again, 'what kind of evidence do you want?'
You've had all sorts of evidence all of which you've have created reasons to disregard.
What will it take to convince you?
There are names aplenty as you well know. SOME of them ARE named here, but this would be an inappropriate forum to share the details. As you know ALL the details and evidence are "out there" ( see comment about exit interviews, see comment about stack of resignation and complaint letters, see comment about Hillingdon file)It's just been ignored or buried.
You seem to think that we should share the details of that here as well, when the evidence is out there aplenty! Pretending that it is not is simply humbug.
"What I could call bullying."
You could call it that. Try telling the chair of governors, I don't think you'll find her very sympathetic. I don't see any evidence of bullying here. Expressing feelings strongly is not the same as bullying. Bullying is not a word to bandy around lightly.
I hope you are as sensitive on others accounts as you are on your own.
'I hear anger in what you say and do not doubt you feel something has been done to you, but not evidence.'
Yes there is anger but not towards you. There is anger towards the unjustness of what has happened to people I care about and to a community I care about. But more than anger there is a frustration that despite everything that has been said and all the evidence that exists still nothing has changed. I'm sorry if you feel picked upon by blogs here but it just isn't clear what more you need to read or hear before you begin to know!
We want to help you understand and we want to give you evidence but you have no explained just what it is you are seeking. Perhaps if you could explain more clearly the type of evidence you would like to see then perhaps we can assist you.
I am a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes. I no longer have any children at St Vincents but have always remained supportive and fond of the school. I love my parish, I love our preists and I love my faith.
I just wanted to add my comments here. I have no experience of this new heads behaviour. But what I can say is that I believe there is a problem. The only evidence I have seen is the evidence of the characters of some of the people who have been affected by events at the school and have felt they had to leave. I accept that there must be a problem because I know them and I believe them.
I can say that some of those who seem to have been affected by this are some of the most straightforward, humble, devout and meek people in the parish. They do not strike me as people fond of drawing attention to themselves, nor do they strike me as gossip mongers. Most of them have faithfully and quietly served the parish in the most un self-aggrandising way. They don't seek for themselves positions of power or favour or prominence. They serve quietly and consistently. I have never heard them engaged in idle conjecture or prattle and would be dismayed to hear them do so.
As I said, the evidence of some of the characters involved is testimony enough for me.
As another 'anonymous' commentator it seems to me that everyone is slightly loosing the plot. I agree that sufficient evidence against Mrs C just has not been produced. As one of those 'not in the know'- we need details - what was said etc to be convinced. Yes, we know teachers have left and many people feel agrieved but we do not know the details. If someone told you they had been bullied, you would question - when?What did they say? How did you respond?I just haven't read any of this sort of deatil. As to the exit interviews - what about these. Who conducted them? Have they been recorded somewhere so we can review them?
Say who you are anonymous, and we may be able to furnish you with the information that you are asking for in a more discreet manner.
I am worried about the children. If they are being bullied who will believe them ? Do they need to be wired in order to show the evidence?
I agree. When they won't accept, or even investigate, the testimony of credible adults, it doesn't look good for children.
Remember, that up until this blog started they weren't even responding with the 'no evidence' mantra. They were simply ignoring it. One member of staff even made a direct appeal for help to a governor saying that she was being bullied. No response. Not even "Gosh, that's a disturbing claim, please tell me why you would say that"
Disturbed? We should be.
Given the heated discussion running at the moment, I'd like to draw your attention back to the main blog which advises of the upcoming Whole School Governor's Meeting taking place on Thursday evening. That would be the ideal place for asking questions, raising issues, etc. With a good group of parents attending, it would be very difficult for the governors to fail to take things seriously. Please attend.
So is anyone actually going to stand up at this govenors meeting and raise these concerns - one of you people who seem so very sure and have the much talked about 'evidence' . I do hope so, then maybe some sort of 'investigation' can be started.
'It is my belief that she did this to support her campaign to rid the school of certain members of staff who did not fit with her game plan'
To the person who posted this - what 'game plan'. I've heard, first hand, various people refer to her 'agenda'but no one has been able to tell me what this agenda is??Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Are the press invited to this meeting?
Good idea! Someone willing to organise this?
To anonymous posted at 12:52, re the 'game plan';
I am an ex-member of staff who left the school at the end of the last school year. In most schools it would be common for all staff to know what the plan is for the school and the headteachers ultimate goal. This was not the case in Mrs Cleugh's regime. She did not share her plan with the staff. The OFSTED inspectors mentioned that;
'Although leadership overall is satisfactory, the headteacher has not yet fully convinced all staff of the way ahead or developed a detailed plan to improve the quality of provision.'
It was odd to staff that the inspectors should make such a comment as no members of staff were asked such a question. (As a senior member of staff I had an interview with an inspector and was not asked any such question. This issue was also discussed at a meeting and no staff member was able to relate to this statement.)Had the inspectors asked this question of staff members they would not have been able to respond as Mrs Cleugh had not shared her vision with us.
Her 'game plan' remains a mystery to me but what is very clear is that she dislikes (and thats putting it mildly!) anyone who questions, even in the most professional and polite manner, her decisions. St Vincents, when I first joined the community, was a collaborative community where the head teacher had ultimate veto powers but was open to all members having their say and expressing their concerns about decisions made. This, it seems to me, was a sensible approach as it is easier to encourage people to work within a system they feel they have been a part of creating. Mrs Cleugh does not work this way. She has created a dictatorship where anyone who 'steps out of line' becomes a victim of her bullying. You have said before that you disbelieve the bullying stories. However, I have no reason to make up such stories. I was treated unfairly by Mrs Cleugh and I do not want such behaviour to continue to harm people and families I care about. I find it difficult to go into more details about my case as, although I do not work at the school, live in the borough or worship at OLOL or Holy Family, I do have concerns about my personal and professional reputation being further harmed. I hope you have some understanding in what I am trying to convey.
"'but no one has been able to tell me what this agenda is??Does anyone have any thoughts on this?"
Perhaps you're not reading all the posts ( there are quite a few of them!)In a notshell:
*To be seen to 'turn around' a failing school, with all the advantages both to career and ego, that that involves.
*To have carte blanche to conduct herself as she pleases, as befits her controlling personality. ( That is, her behaviour would be less open to scrutiny or criticism because people would be more likely to accept that 'hard times require hard measures')
* In addition, I believe that there is no agenda other than a personality type that strongly needs control and that interprets all variance or difference as opposition or defiance.
TO THE CHAIR OF GOVENORS An independent body to investigate
this must be the best resolution.
All we want is the truth to be
told or is this too much to ask.
All you want is the truth??
About what??
This blog may have started out in the aim of helping but it seems to merely go back and forth with people mentioning dark deeds...but actually not mentioning anything specific at all..
I hope that at the meeting people will be clearer if they actually expect to be taken notice of..
What is the bullying?Are there no details that anyone can use to back up what they are saying?
There have been cases of constructive dismissal, where staff members had their jobs advertised in local and national papers. Also there has been an occassion where one teacher, who had been at the school for many years and was well respected by the school community in general, was loudly and aggressively castigated in her classroom, for no understandable reason, whilst the door was open onto a busy corridor and another member of staff stood in the doorway and watched. Teachers have been spoken to in a rude and abrassive manner for simply asking questions in a staff meeting and whilst one teacher was off on long term sick leave she was regularly harrassed by Mrs C to give a date for returning to work. Whilst that teacher was away from work Mrs C was heard to say that they were unprofessional, despite all their hard work and professional abilities proven over the many years of service at St Vincents. A staff member who was working as a union representative and supporting a colleague in their line of union duties was referred to by Mrs C as aggressive, despite all their years of working with the various head teachers and staff members and sometimes closely with governors, with no problems or accusations of aggression.
One teacher had to go to the extreme of taking an informal grievance procedure against Mrs C. This was not an easy thing to do! At that meeting Mrs C did actually apologise. If she had done nothing wrong why would she apologise? The very next day Mrs C continued to harrass that teacher by bringing her into a meeting with another teacher and then totally ignoring her. When the teacher tried to contribute to the meeting, in a polite and professional manner, Mrs C was rude and abrassive. This may seem like nothing to you but, after talking to all these teachers and knowing their characters it is clear to me that these incidents had a profound affect on them. They have since left the school but have no sense of closure.
Does this go any distance to helping you understand some of what has happened to people who are respectable, professional and polite people?
Look at the outcomes of appointing this head:
Loads of staff have left and
many pupils have moved school. There is this blog - its desperate and surely enough in itself to warrant some kind of independent inquiry or some professional help from outside of the school and the diocese. So many parents have lost confidence. And it is getting ugly. Information IS out there and it will not go away. It is just waiting for the permission of certain individuals and their courage to talk openly about their experiences.
I have had teachers (who are still employed) tell me that the head is evil. I have been told that one teacher is so traumatised that she cannot walk passed the school. Also, it is obvious that the diocese knows that their is a history and background relevant to St. Vincents troubles but they are unwilling to share/admit what they know. There have been numerous letters over the years to the Bishops and the Cardinal who have not taken any action. They prefer to belive one woman above parents who have asked them to at least listen and take a look into the situation. However, the 'St. Vincents file' is at the bottom of the in tray and there it will remain. Meanwhile go to Mass live gospel values and be active members of the church.
Being an ex-student of the school I stumbled across this site and to be honest, I was quite shocked that you have to air your grievances in cyber space. This does not seem to be about the students of the school, rather more a personal vendetta against the head. I am amazed that most of the comments are anonymous as would it not be more appropriate to discuss your differences, in person, with the head rather than start a hate campaign. I am 24 years old and can’t tell who the children are. You’re supposed to be running a school not a soap opera. It's about the children not you, so come together and sort your differences like adults.
Dear Northbankbren,
You say;
'This does not seem to be about the students of the school, rather more a personal vendetta against the head. I am amazed that most of the comments are anonymous as would it not be more appropriate to discuss your differences, in person, with the head rather than start a hate campaign.'
This is exactly about the students of the school, as the school in which they are being taught and cared for on a daily basis is an environment of fear and anxiety. They may not be experiencing it first hand but children are very sensitive to such an environment and will be affected by it. Secondly many people have attempted to discuss their concerns with the head, (as detailed in blogs on this site)both formally and informally and have been treated badly as a result of their attempts. It is for this reason that this blog was started. If people cannot or will not be heard through the proper channels what else can they do?
Perhaps you should make yourself better aware of the facts before you make another ill informed comment.
I agree with 5.13pm poster - that if those with a grievance want to be taken seriously they will need to come up with hard evidence rather than general accusations and anger. Otherwise they risk being seen as ranters with their own agenda. Difficult as it may be, those who feel they have suffered need to come forward or their stories put forward on their behalf.
Northbankbren.
It is simply not credible to me that you have simply 'stumbled' across this site, and having read all the comments, and without any partisan sentiments at all, have reached the conclusion you have.
I'm sorry "northbankbren", I don't believe you.
You seem to think that we should share the details of that here as well-
What's your problem with sharing it here as well? Why isn't this an appropriate forum? Why make it hard for people if you are so keen for the truth to come out. Why should we all have to go on our own personal fact finding mission in order to prove we care if you have the info at your finger tips???
Anon 7.56 pm
You said that without hard evidence we risk being seen as
"seen as ranters with their own agenda"
Well, up until now, we've been completely ignored, so this is a great improvement actually.
As far as the demands for hard evidence goes, I've said it before and so have others. The evidence is all there. Just because we haven't posted personal minutiae here doesn't mean that it's not.
The problem, is not the LACK of evidence, but the fact that it has been IGNORED. Hence this blog.
"Well, up until now, we've been completely ignored, so this is a great improvement actually. "
Too right!!!
Bullying in the work place …….
I hope that this clarifies the different sorts of treatment that constitute bullying in the work place. It may follow one form or consist of a combination of the ‘Tell Tail Signs’ listed below. If you have never been bullied you will not know how it feels or what a devastating effect it has on you and your family. I hope that you never suffer this experience and that if you ever have the misfortune to witness others being bullied that you do not turn a blind eye but find the strength and courage to do the right thing. It takes a tremendously strong and selfless person to pursue a grievance procedure against a bully.
I have taken this extract from the website www.bullyingbusiness.com .
Tell Tale Signs of Bullying at Work
HOW FAMILIAR ARE THESE
1. Shouting and Swearing
2. Instantaneous rages over trivial matters
3. Punishments dispensed out of the blue
4. Ignoring other people’s points of view
5. Personal insults and name-calling
6. Persistent criticism
7. Persistently setting unrealistic deadlines
8. Spreading malicious rumours
9. Constantly moving goal posts and withholding information
10. Ostracising, Ignoring, excluding and freezing people out
11. Making threats
12. Removing responsibility
13. Allocating menial tasks
If any of the above sounds familiar, you may be witnessing inappropriate workplace behaviour.
I felt that I had no alternative but to leave the school.
Nicola Loftus – ex-employee and parent
Good information Nicola, but I suspect it will cut no ice with northbankbren and others. They think that if you are on the recieving end of such treatment the onus is on you to sort it out with a cup of tea and a nice chat.
Usual 'blame the victim' mindset.
If you cry 'foul' you've started a nasty 'hate campaign'. If you raise the red flag, you're mean, bitter, ugly and unChristian.
I logged onto this page expecting to find a forum for maybe ex and current students, I was shocked to find this site. I really don't care of the opinions that those who stay Anonymous have of me. I actually don't care about the current situation with the head! I am not a parent or have anything to do with the school and yet my views are doubted. I have read over the Reponses directed at me and it seems my views and motives are being questioned? This page is being posted openly on the world wide web and yet it seems a suggestion being made by an ex-pupil is being attacked. Is it only those who share your views that are entitled to an opinion without being attacked? The views being shown on this site are not the kind that would encourage me to send my child to a "CATHOLIC" school. I will not be visiting this site again but would suggest that those who do spend more time with their children rather then setting up hate campaigns on the web, because this is what the site is! Not the most Christian hobby is it?
Gosh and golly northbankbren!
Your almost breathless passion for this topic is obvious. We hear you.
You've certainly got strong feelings about this site haven't you?
Curious for one so...'unconnected' with events to make up their mind so firmly, and so, well, angrily.
I totally agree 'take a deep breath'!!
Surely a person so unconnected to the current St Vicents would be more open to hearing about the current problems and views of the current members of the community. It seems that Northbankbren should either get real or go and join Friends Reunited!! And as for questioning our Christianity... well perhaps a more Christian attitude would be to listen to what all have to say about the matter, and not to sit in judgement, as Northbankbren clearly has of us! The people who have not been heard through the usual channels have been forced to air their views here as there is no where else to broadcast them!
Was anyone else aware that the school are looking to fill yet more vacancies for next year? Including a new deputy head!!
I found this job ads on the ealing.gov.uk website;
Our Governors are looking to appoint enthusiastic, highly motivated, and it would be desirable to have a practising Catholic to work as part of a team in our welcoming school for:
foundation stage
key stage one
key stage two
sen teacher (non class based)
part time (0.7) teacher to cover PPA across the school. Desirable to offer Music, French or PE & Games.
And lower down on the page there is an ad for a deputy head!!
Presumably these posts are for replacing lost teachers so that means that a possible 5 more teachers are leaving, as well as Mrs Lomanto! There really should be an independent enquiry regarding why St Vincent's is haemorraging teaching staff at a time when teachers should be encouraged to stay in their school. Teachers in London are not easy to come by and teachers who will stay for more than a year or two are even more difficult to find. I've known of London schools that have been entirely staffed by Australians, Kiwis and South Africans etc. I have nothing against people from these countries and I know for a fact that they are superbly trained but I would want at least a handful of Brits to teach my child in a British school! St Vincets needs to do something about this before it becomes unrecognisable!
Hey Northbankbren! You should apply!
ha ha ha ha!!
Given the history of the Catholic church in turning a blind eye to accusations from children I am mystified to read that people doubt that this could possibly happening at St Vincent's. Naive in the extreme!
Has anyone given any thought to the teaching staff that has remained. How must they be feeling to read some of the remarks written here. There is a small band of "Anonymous" who have a great deal to say - but what makes you think you speak for all parents! There are a great many of us who don't feel they can stand up against you for fear of being attached as that poor past pupil was.
If more parents feel as I do that this blogger does not speak for them, please post a remark saying something to that effect - By saying and doing nothing we will allow these "blogging bullies" to win!!!
I am a VERY HAPPY StV parent of 2 and I've just logged on for the first time, and probably the last as I cannot support this blog. I apologise for not giving my name, but I am seriously worried about the content of this blog and its effects on the the morale of the school and our children. None of us parents know who any of you are. As far as I can find out, MOST OF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY CHILDREN AT THE SCHOOL!!!
Is it only me that finds this all very unchristian, bullying and childish? I am aware of the issues at the school, but many were there before this headteacher, and seem to stem from a small group of people getting upset about change. I was certainly happy to see a couple of the more ineffectual teachers leave. The good results were down to a huge amount of work being put into the last two years of school by very dedicated teachers. The state system is an ever-changing hotchpotch of directives and result driven marking, but don't we send our children to a faith school not just for a state education, but also to bolster our own christian values - I know I do. I fear that this present bad feeling is being transmitted to our children and that the olders ones are starting to be dismissive of the whole school as a result. This negativity should stop, and not because any one of us could win the 'better Catholic than thou' race, but because in any society or workplace, but especially a school, we all would like to work and live without disagreements or differences of opinion being exploded into conflict, point-scoring and personal comment.
Most parents don't know who the 'upsets' are, but there seems to be a feeling that it's the PFA, and that is why parents are staying away from PFA events and meetings and not because of the head. It may not be the case, but that is the view of many parents I've talked to. They don't want to be seen supporting this whole 'movement' by being associated with the PFA.
Please think about your actions and be sure that you are not just venting anger about 'phantom' issues. The real issues can surely be discussed without this vitriolic slant poisoning the debate. I feel lucky to have the chance to bring our children up in their faith in a safe enviroment, and I will defend my right to do so, but with the way things are going on this site, I don't want my children to suffer from their elders bickering. I heard some of them talking about the situation the other day, and they just think it's a great school and they know they're lucky to go there but they know there is conflict and they find that unsettling. I tried to explain that it came out of misunderstanding and the inability of some to communicate their fears.
Let us please resolve that conflict face to face at the school, with positive suggestions and not on this site, (which I had thought was to be for helpful advice for parents!)
God bless.
Heard about this blog yesterday and frankly I'm horrified. Please do not assume that you can talk on behalf of myself or the numerous others who are happy with the school. Why am I anonymous? It's because I feel that you are the bullies not the head. I'm not a huge fan of her's but I do know that I can go to her with a problem and have it sorted out. As a CURRENT parent I would rather the ex-parents and ex-teachers stop meddling in my child's school. The current teachers are wonderful and I'd hate them to feel that they are not appreciated.
I am a current parent, just browsing with a message for TG. There are some very unchristian remarks on other parts of this blog site, one in the unfairly named 'dragon' site about a fall, but I can't access a comment box on that page.
Also, is there any way I can view or that you can put the most recent comments at the top of the page - there is an awful lot of stuff to get thru to find the latest.
thank you.
To "Very Happy Parent of 2"
Well Said!!!
Keep going anonymous.
You nearly have us thinking that you're different people, rather than just one with a quiet day to mooch away on the computer.
I think it's so sweet the way you congratulate yourself on a point well made.
Bless your little horrified,shocked and stunned,christian socks.
"ps 'for fear of being attached as that poor past pupil was.'
Yep, that was really bad how that pupil was attached.
Point to Ponder
How sad that you only take those who agree with you as 'real' posters. I think you are worried that you don't have the support you thought you had! And as for spelling - look over the other posts - many of your supporters are just as bad (or are they all the same person too?). Stop being so childish, and allow others to have their say.
Thank you.
I rest my case your honour.
I knew you were sitting on your computer and wouldn't be able to resist coming back.
If you are all different people then I'm Bishop Stack...
oops, forgot to mention...
"Stop being so childish, and allow others to have their say."
And you have just had yours with no hindrance I believe. I think you're just annoyed that you've been rumbled.
Childishly yours.
I've posted once before and I'm on a late lunchbreak. You've obviously got too much time on your hands, however I've got work to do.
to point to ponder from very happy parent 2(definitely staying anonymous with you around!)
I was relieved to see that other people had POSTIVE comments to contribute to the discussion and the ONE message I had posted.
Any from you?
You seem to be falling into the very definition of bullying tactics, by being dismissive of others opinions and sarcastic of their input or their English!
Maybe we could all meet up with you at the school gates while we are collecting our children and have a truly adult discussion. Or can you put in an appearance at the meeting and stand up and put all these points to me and the other parents so that we can have a truly constructive discussion and take things forward.
Also, though I'm sure you've not even got started on me with your quick wits, I don't intend to fall into your paranoid world. This is my 2nd & last posting. I'd rather discuss this issue face to face with the other parents at the school, not with someone who seems to be like a little spider sat in the corner waiting for a buzz on their net.
To 'fed-up' and the other parents who responded to my note, I also want to express my gratitude to the current teachers and staff who are all doing a marvellous job.
See you in the playground.
God bless
Still Happy Parent of 2 at StV.
(def last message from happy mom)
ok - I know,
last comment slightly ruined by the fact I can't spell POSITIVE.
got to run, or I'll be late at the school
God Bless
THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT!!!
We as a family have read your comments and feel deeply saddened.
This happened at our school when she was head, everything you have said... she did to us!
We lost many good teachers from our school as a result of her actions; many respectable families also.
It's a game plan with her, and she will destroy, WATCH YOUR BACKS to those who have not experienced the wrath of the cleugh.
She has left traumatised children and teachers in our school, she has to be stopped.
She brain washes people and would appear to have an inner circle of governers.
Just reading the blogs is enough to see the amount of unrest she has caused in your community.
"People don't understand me, i'm doing it for the good of the school"... does this sound familiar???
We have nothing to gain by putting this message to you, as fellow christians, we want to give our support to those who are being accused of gossiping, it is so frustrating not being heard.
She will leave a lasting impression on all her victims, and many years down the line she has still left emotionally scarred adults and children.
We wish we had started our own blog to express our concerns at the time, she is very good at divide and conquer tactics.
Can understand why some parents are reluctant to give negative feedback and reveal identities as you and your children will be come victims... believe me you will.
We are years down the line and are still opting to be anonymous because of her.
Please keep an open mind if you have not experienced her wrath, you have the right to you opinion as do we, but your children are in the school... frontline.
P.S Mrs Cleugh, are you the positive blogger??? Thats just your style.
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