EXCLUSIVE
THE OUSTED chair of governors at Tilbury Manor Junior School has reacted with disbelief at his sacking by education bosses at Thurrock Council.
Terry Gilby has been a governor in Thurrock schools for 25 years but was removed from his role from the school in December.
YT understands that the sacking stems from a disagreement over the proposed amalgamation of the junior and infant schools.
Mr Gilby has spoken to YT and given his version of events.
He said: “I distributed a questionnaire regarding the amalgamation at an open day at the school.
“The council felt the questions were loaded. I asked questions such as: “Do you have any misgivings about the proposed amalgamation of the two schools? What, if any are they?
“The vast majority of responses wanted to see the amalgamation. I felt it should have happened years ago.
However, according to Mr Gilby, he was summoned to see the corporate director of childrens services Jo Olsson and portfolio holder Diana Hale.
Soon after he received his dismissal by e-mail
Mrs Olsson told Mr Gilby: “The Local Authority has, as I explained in my letter, lost confidence in the integrity of the governing body at a particularly sensitive time in the life of the school.
“Following careful consideration of the issues, Councillor Hale has decided to withdraw your approval….you are no longer empowered to act as a Local Authority Governor at Tilbury Manor Junior School.
Mr Gilby was replaced by Denise Wenn whilst Thurrock Council’s Head of Service Colin Stewart also joined the board of governors.
The Portfolio holder, cllr Diana Hale has given the councils version of events.
Cllr Hale said: “I can confirm that discussions were held between Mr Gilbey and the Local Authority to exchange views about how best to manage the sensitive amalgamation. Accord was not achieved in these discussions”.
“These are always complex and difficult decisions, not taken lightly. The priority for the Council is to ensure vulnerable schools are strengthened. Tilbury Manor Juniors is a vulnerable school and has been for a long time.
Mr Gilby has reacted with disgust. “This is a travesty of justice. I wanted to make sure what was best for the pupils of both schools.
“I have been a governor in schools for twenty five years and never been treated like this.”
After the sacking, the school went onto be inspected by Ofsted where it received a grade of ‘Satisfactory”.
Mr Gilby remains vice-chair of St Mary’s RC primary also in Tilbury.
The controversy comes as education minister Michael Gove visited the Gateway Academy in Tilbury on Friday. The minister encouraged the school in its proposals to build a primary school.
Industry experts believe that if a school was built, it may lead to parents flocking to apply to send their children to the new primary as well as further weaken the power-base of the local education authority.
A governor who did not wish to be named said: “This is hardly a shining advert for being a governor in Thurrock. Mrs Olsson has developed a reputation for heavy handed tactics.
