School heads’ reaction on pupil attacks too slow

Nicky Haslam, interior designer, Denis Lawson, actor, Meat Loaf – Marvin Lee Aday – rock singer and actor, Barbara Dickson, singer, Michele Dotrice, actress, Diane Abbott, Labour MP, Gwyneth Paltrow, actress, Avril Lavigne, singer, I WAS on a bus on Monday that was passing Colne Valley High School at home time.

I had just finished reading the Examiner article concerning the intentions of Mr Christian, the headteacher, to carry out “stop and search” in an attempt to stop pupils carrying weapons.

I was worried. From the tone of the head’s warning I expected to see hordes of wild-eyed teens charging out into the streets jostling, shoving and swearing.

I was surprised therefore to see smartly dressed young people on their way home tired but happy the day was over. Are these the monsters that have caused such a reaction?

The school seems to have had a traumatic few weeks with two incidents concerning attacks on pupils. The most recent Ofsted was not encouraging especially after such a long period in which the school has been run under the auspices of the Mirfield Free Grammar Academy chain.

The previous head had left citing interference from Mirfield.

Indeed, the apparent lack of progress is concerning considering that the school has an executive headteacher from Mirfield, the chair of governors is from Mirfield, the present head is a former teacher from Mirfield and the governing body itself is appointed by Mirfield.

I know that for the most part children in the Colne Valley are open and friendly. I also know there are exceptions, there always have been. I also know that their parents are supportive and very concerned by the school’s apparent failings.

I know that staff are hard working and conscientious who do a difficult job. Sadly, the school doesn’t appear to have responded to these concerns quickly or positively enough.

Indeed, they almost had to be pushed into the response announced by Mr Christian that seems too little and too late.

I wonder just who made this decision. Was it the head, the executive head or the chair of governors?

The pupils of the Colne Valley deserve better, the parents of these pupils deserve better and the staff deserve better than the suffocating hand of Mirfield Free Grammar is presently delivering. Maybe they are now part of the problem and not the solution. RECENT headlines in the national media about fostering run the risk of painting a negative picture of foster caring.

When a troubled young person falls into the justice system, the implication is sometimes made that fostering could be part of the cause.

What is forgotten is that these young people have often already suffered trauma or been at risk of harm – which is precisely why they need fostering. Foster children are vulnerable and can be challenging but with the right support they can have fulfilling and positive futures.

Barnardo’s recruits foster carers for teenagers, disabled children, siblings and children from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. But we urgently need more to come forward. We offer foster carers support, training and advice.

We see first-hand how the support of a stable, caring family really can transform children’s lives.