HIGHAMS PARK: Strike-hit school 'turning corner' one year on

11:57am Wednesday 20th June 2012 in Where I Live By Joe Curtis

Deputy head Pieter Labuschagne in the stocks at during the summer fete at Selwyn Primary School Deputy head Pieter Labuschagne in the stocks at during the summer fete at Selwyn Primary School

A SCHOOL whose staff striked over allegations they were bullied by their interim headteacher is turning the corner one year on, parents believe.

Parents whose children attend Selwyn Primary School in Highams Park were rocked by the 24-hour walk-out last May after Maureen Okoye became acting head following headteacher Robert Highfield's long-term absence.

But now the head, parents and staff at the school in Cavendish Road are putting Selwyn "back on the map" as it battles to improve exam results after its satisfactory Ofsted rating last February.

The new chapter in the school's history was marked by its school fete on Saturday, June 16, at which 300 parents and children joined staff to enjoy the food and fun on offer, including bouncy castles for the kids.

Paula Caiger, of the Friends of Selwyn School, said: "It was a brilliant day, everyone had lots of fun and really enjoyed themselves. After that I think the school is turning a corner. We feel more confident in the school and we feel it's worth the hard work we're all putting in."

Ms Okoye, who still runs the school as its executive headteacher, said she and the staff have overcome last year's differences and blamed the problems on resistance to new measures she implemented.

"We are all singing from the same hymn sheet now and the staff work really hard for the children," she said. "There will be frictions [when someone new is in charge] and when you introduce new ideas there will be a bit of resistance. But now we're focused on improving exam results."

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Comments(32)

myopinioncounts says...
4:10pm Wed 20 Jun 12

So Ms Okoye blames "resistance to new measures she implemented". What a shame this article did not allow the staff to give their views on the 'new measures'!

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Redfox says...
5:31pm Wed 20 Jun 12

What on earth is an "executive head teacher"? Explanation please then we can all judge the whys & wherefores about such a management structure that still appears to 'grate' with the normal policy of having a head, who rules every day and is on site every day, an assistant who is there to support the head, and staff who are consulted before implementation of a head's (possible) egotistic aims to make a name for themselves.
Does an 'executive' head, "rule" from a remote base, or what?

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Spoons1972 says...
7:56pm Wed 20 Jun 12

If everyone is so happy at Selwyn why have so many members of staff handed in their notice this year?

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Booboo12 says...
9:51pm Wed 20 Jun 12

They probably handed it in because they know their time is up and if they were any good what difference would new improvements make to them that could be detrimental to them? It's about children and the best for our kids!! Not for those bitter twisted people that were seemingly just out for themselves!

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Wfresident says...
9:52pm Wed 20 Jun 12

You reported last year that mrs okoye's alleged bullying would be independently investigated and that both she and the temporary head would be replaced by end 2011 with a new , permanent head. This appears not to have happened. This school has lost so many excellent teachers this year. How long before these comments are blocked ?

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Spoons1972 says...
9:59pm Wed 20 Jun 12

@Booboo12

What sensible improvements in a school could be detrimental to staff?

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Spoons1972 says...
10:06pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Spoons1972 wrote:
@Booboo12

What sensible improvements in a school could be detrimental to staff?
Sorry that posted before I was finished.

It is my understanding that it was not the changes happening in the school that were the root of the problem, but the manner in which they were implemented.

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community resident says...
7:56am Thu 21 Jun 12

Parents need to ask themselves 'how many staff have left over the past year? Its around 18, with another 6 or 7 leaving in July. The staff have been older and experienced as well as staff in their 20's. The school is full of agency staff who even they are leaving after a few Weeks. That is what is detrimental to the children of Selwyn . It used to be known as a happy,good school,whose children were well 'rounded' and cared for. If rumours are true the building is going to be flattened and a 'boring modern one built in its place. Its truly a shame for the community of Highams Park.

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Everychildmatters says...
9:41am Thu 21 Jun 12

What is the biggest shame is that the teachers have been unable to work together effectively for the sake of the children. As a parent I feel the new leadership team have been much more professional than those teachers who felt it was acceptable to drag parents and children into an internal dispute. I agree with the article. The school appears to be improving and quite frankly if that means teachers have had to go in the process as they are opposed to change then so be it. With regards to the agency staff.. Yes it is a shame our children have encountered disruption and inconsistency in teaching. We can only hope committed teachers with high standards are recruited who are open and willing to work together for the sake of the children!

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community resident says...
9:55am Thu 21 Jun 12

The school DID have committed and dedicated staff. Ask the Secondary schools and angencies in Waltham Forest. Plus, Why has the school never advertised for a permanant new head? This will be the only way to bring stability to this school!! Of course it will help in a budgetary way as two heads are being paid for.

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Everychildmatters says...
11:03am Thu 21 Jun 12

As a parent I agree - the teachers were committed in some respects but still the school was failing and had been failing for some time before Ms Okoye stepped in. The current situation can only bring with it improvements. Negativite consistent criticism of the current efforts to improve the school environment won't help the children. A strong team of teachers who are willing to work together to continue to find solutions to improve standards for the children is required. My understanding is that this is the current objective.

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Wfresident says...
11:15am Thu 21 Jun 12

The school was NOT failing before Mrs Okoye arrived. It just needed experienced, good, leadership. Again, What happened about the promised independent investigation into alleged bullying ? Perhaps LBWF can answer ?

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local_mum-13 says...
1:47pm Thu 21 Jun 12

When are people going to wake up to the cold hard facts?

1. The school was without any sort of leadership for too long so the teachers took over as did as they liked (i.e. as little as possible – suddenly all the homework stopped, no spellings, no reading books – they wernt teaching they were child minding!!)

2. LBWF abandoned the school and should have stepped in much quicker but failed to do so – shame on you LBWF !!

3. As far as we know, not one member of staff has brought or proven a claim of bullying against Mrs Okoye or her team – stop banging the “bullying drum” - its time to put up or shut up.

As for “bullying” you should really read - being asked to do ones job and be effective, being asked to work the hours you are actually paid to work, stepping up to the mark and being the good, inspiring, and dedicated teacher all children deserve.

Teaching can no longer a job for life for the useless and ineffective – these are our children for goodness sake and they deserve the best.

Which other profession allows people to be poor at their job without challenging them and insisting on improvement?
They got away with it or far too long and if they cant step up and do the job they are paid for then they should hang their heads in shame and resign.

As far as I can see, the Selwyn management are a dedicated bunch and need to be allowed to carry out their plans for improvement with the support of the staff and parents.

What a shame that what should been a happy, uplifting news article about a great school fete (an afternoon out that me,my husband and 3 boys all enjoyed) has been hijacked by all of this nonsense.

Well done on a great fete Selwyn -thats what these comments should be saying !!!

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peepox says...
2:32pm Thu 21 Jun 12

What a JOKE!
700 children attend this school, only 300 parents and children turned up for this event, numbers speaks for itself.
As parents that have been very close to the school its extremely clear that many longterm and professional teachers have left, and are leaving, due to the treatment of the executive head and its regime which has now caused a constant turnover of staff.

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local_mum-13 says...
3:07pm Thu 21 Jun 12

Inaccurate reporting strikes again - more like 300 parents plus all the children - be interesting to get actual attendance figures from the school.
My hubby and I have been close to the school for many years and disagree totally with all this nasty gossip from a small, misinformed bunch who are only damaging an already fragile school - - in your opinion what has the exec head actually done wrong ..... come on, hard facts please and not playground tittle-tattle!!
To be honest, the ones that have left so far are the ones that needed to go.

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KC DAD says...
4:26pm Thu 21 Jun 12

So over 20 staff will have left in July since the start of this debacle and they all needed to go .... I dont think so ... planet Zanussi springs to mind ...

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SevenSeas says...
7:03pm Thu 21 Jun 12

As a parent of a child at Selwyn, local-mum you clearly need to get facts straight. Maybe you should speak to the few 'good' teahcers (as judged by ofsted) and listen to their opinions. There are very young teachers who have started their careers at Selwyn and are not under increasing stress from the executive headteacher. If anyone needs to face hard the fact it is you. Have you spoken to the teachers at Selwyn? Or have you based your opinions on Maureen Okoyes coffee morning. The school needed effective management I agree but there is a professional way to do that. 10 staff are leaving this summer and it is detrimental to the consistency and progression of the children at Selwyn. There are teachers that started this year and have already handed in their resignation. What does that say about working conditions at Selwyn? Furthermore parents are under the impression that this sort of management is effective for their childrens learning. How can a teacher teach effectively when working under these conditions? THe school fete was a show, propaganda to play into Maureen's hands. 300 showed and whilst it was fun for the children, the aim was to publish a story in a newspaper. As for 'bullying' I suggest you ask one of your '3 children' to find out the definition, as after the NUT meeting last year, it is clear that teachers were bullied and are still being forced out of their jobs. New NQT's starting the school are aware of the circumstances and there have been multiple supplys in classes all year. I think you need to address the 'tittle tattle' that you are hearing and base your comments on what teachers are saying- Why don't you speak to them? Rather than listening to what Maureen's possy of parents have to say!

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Butterfly121 says...
10:04pm Thu 21 Jun 12

Definition of workplace bullying

"Persistent, offensive, abusive, intimidating or insulting behaviour, abuse of power or unfair penal sanctions which makes the recipient feel upset, threatened, humiliated or vulnerable, which undermines their self-confidence and which may cause them to suffer stress"
http://www.bullyonli
ne.org/workbully/def
ns.htm

We teach our children not to bully, who teaches the adults?
Seems it needs to come from higher up than the LEA....

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Booboo12 says...
10:07pm Thu 21 Jun 12

Oh wake up sevenseas!! Yet again one of those who think the school is/was for them rather than for the children!! Grow up please. Stop the wining violin ensemble and get with the programme. Our children deserve the best and improvement must happen. If it happens with a few bruises than so be it.

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sold37 says...
10:22pm Thu 21 Jun 12

Plenty of 'experts' here with an opinion of Selwyn. However, the last head was Rob Highstead, not Robert Highfield.

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Everychildmatters says...
10:26pm Thu 21 Jun 12

Is it really necessary to use this as a platform to discuss the politics and internal disputes within the school structure. Clearly a breach of confidentiality and quite unprofessional to be airing this on a public forum. A prime example of what Selwyn parents and children have had to endure. Use the correct channels to make your complaints and grievances. This was a positive article which would have helped to raise parent confidence. Our children have a right to be taught in a positive, professional environment. Comments made on here only re-inforce my thoughts that change is needed.

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Booboo12 says...
10:54pm Thu 21 Jun 12

@everychildmatters. I totally agree.

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myopinioncounts says...
9:18am Fri 22 Jun 12

" Use the correct channels to make your complaints and grievances." -Everychildmatters says.. That's precisely what the staff tried to do but they were ignored as the council wanted to pretend everything was OK. The previous head was on long term sickness and even after he eventually resigned there was no attempt to appoint a permanent Head. Do those critical of the teachers (and the other staff who were unhappy) really think they would risk their careers by making unfounded complaints?

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KC DAD says...
9:48am Fri 22 Jun 12

I was going to say the same thing " my opinion counts. " With all due respect it was almost like "Everychild matters " has not got a clue whats gone on behind the scenes over the last two years. One thing I do agree with is that change is certainly needed now, I suppose you've really got to look at the way its been handled by the Local Education Authority.

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Goonergirl says...
7:08pm Fri 22 Jun 12

This article and all the comments should be just about the fete. These comments will just put the school back where it was a year ago. Everyone that has issues about this take it to LBWF Council, we don't need dirty laundry aired in public whatever your views and this was a PTA run fete to raise funds for the children, who seem to have been forgotten in all of this. Enough said

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myopinioncounts says...
7:29am Sat 23 Jun 12

Goonergirl says -we don't need dirty laundry aired in public. I say, perhaps if staff had been listened to, their concerns addressed and a new permanent Head appointed there would be no continuing problems and therefore no need to 'go to the press'

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community resident says...
7:31am Sat 23 Jun 12

Judging by all the comments above, people still feel passionate over what happened and is still happening at Selwyn. Freedom of Speech is a good thing!!!

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Goonergirl says...
10:14am Sat 23 Jun 12

In reply to my opinion counts a public forum is not the answer, pursue the proper channels and keep pursuing them, don't resort to open slanging matches whatever side you are on. If the article had just been about the fete this would not have happened, digging it all up again doesn't help anyone especially the children and this is what this should be about. The children's education and experience at school is paramount here, but many with strong opinions are forgetting this. Primary school is an important part of growing up, lets not spoil it.

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local_mum-13 says...
1:25pm Mon 25 Jun 12

Totally agree with GoonerGirl – this article should have been about a school fete, nothing more. What was a fun; positive afternoon for the kids & school has been forgotten about in all this.

For “SeavenSeas” to say that the fete was simply a show & propaganda to play into Maureen's hands is silly.

And no "SevenSeas" - ive never been to a coffee morning (full time worker) but I can figure this one out all by myself - i do not need coffee and a cookie to convince me that all was rotten in the state of Selwyn and that things must change for the good of the children. Any teacher or parent who stands in the way of progress that benefits children should be ashamed.

People are clearly misinformed / misguided –its obvious to most sensible parents that the vast majority of the staff who have left / are leaving needed to go for the good of the Selwyn pupils and the schools recovery in general. The majority had reached the end of the line at Selwyn and change must be welcomed.

These teachers drove the school to the state its in now – who else can parents blame? …. After all, there was no head to run the school into the ground, just the staff.

Q: why did the previous head go off on long term sick leave ?? Could he have been driven to despair by a group of teachers who hounded him mercilessly, leaving him nothing more than a visibly stressed & shaking wreck??

Q: How many of the so called “parents” making negative comments on here are actually Selwyn parents and not ex-staff who cannot move on and are simply grinding their rusty old axe?

An old lecturer of mine used to say "If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself" and i reckon the old goat was right and that this is a lesson that the staff and parents need to learn very quickly.

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myopinioncounts says...
8:25am Tue 26 Jun 12

local_mum-13 says... An old lecturer of mine used to say "If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself" - His name wasn't Hitler by any chance?

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kittymcsmitty says...
6:01pm Tue 26 Jun 12

Some very interesting comments. I haven't much to say other than my son loves Selwyn school, he has a fabulous teacher and an amazing bunch of friends. I am eager to instill a love of school in him and always speak positivley about it. We do his homework together and as a family we attended the school fete and had a great time. The person who commented on the numbers of people attending the fete.....surely it is down to parents to show support and a joy of school and be encouraging to their children. If you think there were low numbers at the fete surely its because people couldn't be bothered to take their children??? #justsaying

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tired and emotional says...
8:33pm Wed 27 Jun 12

as a parent and person who has known Selwyn over many years and at differing stages, I cannot believe some of these comments that are so shortsighted and critical of the staff, and especially those who have left or been *pushed*.
This school used to be one of the best in the borough...it had a good history with parents and ofstead, and any one whose child was there when the staff team was strong and solid ,and the leadership was committed, knew that their child was cared for, educated well and given lots of chances for musical and creative development.....
Anyone who doesnt recognise that what has happened to Selwyn and in particular to the established staff team, clearly knows nothing about the policy making climate of education:the NHS:the care sector and ALL the services which serve the public and the vulnerable....
What has happened has nothing to do with getting staff to accept change...any half decent manager knows how to take their staff with them when changes occur......or anything to do with poor and ineffectual staff.....Those issues do not result in a mass resignation of staff who have given years of time and commitment to their profession and the school.....neither do those issues raise questions of mass bullying and strikes.
This is about the decimation of commitment, and salary, and status of staff...who are mainly women....by carreer policy makers...It is about an emphasis on measurable(sic)out comes at all costs and about providing services within a financial straight jacket......None of this gives *the children*anything like what they recieved from Selwyn before it was betrayed.!

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