THE Deputy Leader of the Conservative group on Thurrock Council has come out in support of Gable Hall, following controversy over plans to change the lunch times, and other policy issues.
Homesteads Councillor James Halden, who holds education as a part of his brief as deputy Conservative leader said “I want to be clear. I support Gable Hall, I support its Governors, and I support Doctor Asong as headteacher. Gable Hall is one of the best Schools around – this does not happen by accident. The amount of young people trying to get a place at Gable Hall is a tangible example of parents voting with their feet to give their children the best possible start in life.
I do understand parent’s concerns over schools changing established practices, and it’s only right they express their views for the sake of their children. That is why I encourage people to write to me, and I will always make representations on their behalf. It is always possible that polices can or should be adapted based on feedback. Gable Hall is a listening school. However, I will not shrink from the fact that I support initiatives such as setting good attendance rates as the bar for rewards such as a sports days etc.
In addition, with Gable Hall now supporting Corringham Primary, we are seeing key skills being shared to spread success. We need more examples of strong schools, supporting smaller schools. It is this school on school improvement, opposed to council intervention that is needed. While no school is perfect, and it would be wrong to view anything with rose tinted glasses, Gable Hall and Dr Asong are success stories in Corringham, and I wholeheartedly support their efforts”.
I know Dr Asong has a hard act to follow in JK. But why has the school spent so much money in making it look like Fort Knox! Also the new reception area, why? The other one was perfectly good and fit for purpose, it says more about Dr Asong than it does about the school. Also why are teachers who have served gable hall for many years leaving in their droves? New teachers are only given 3 month contracts. How can a teacher look to the future with an employment contract like that?
The behaviour of some of the students is totally appalling. What does the head teacher do? Makes them sit outside her office and buys them food, what sort of punishment is that? It’s a reward in my books.
Lots of parents have no option but to send their children to gable hall and it’s about time they started to use the voices they were born with. Quiet a few parents I have spoken to are all saying the same thing, she’s pig headed and won’t listen, not away to get people on your side eh?
Sadly, a Headteacher’s job today, is just like a Premiership League football manager’s…and in terms of employment security, equally precarious!
Alas, Schools have nothing to do with ‘education’ anymore! They are simply involved in a results business that ultimately, determines their league table position.
It’s not how the game is played (bland teaching to the test will do), as long as you win and secure points (‘qualifications’ not ‘education’).
Arguably, Dr Asong, could be compared to David Moyes at Manchester Utd. She has the right credentials, but just doesn’t fit in, suit the place and won’t be accepted by the ‘supporters’!
They both had hard acts to follow (John King OBE – Sir Alex Ferguson)! But ultimately, I predict both to suffer the same fate and leave for a different ‘club’!
If the last head teacher was so good and the current one is so bad, why have the results improved since the current head has taken over?
If, as E.C.M. says, it is simply a case of manipulating figures, then surely the head teacher isn’t needed and the teachers are reduced to little more than ventriloquist dummies that repeat what they are told to repeat.
If this is the general state of education in this country, it is amazing that foreign students still come here to learn and pay for it.
As a self employed person I have nothing against short contracts. If you’re good enough, you’ll keep your job. Unless of course the head is being unscrupulous in managing her budget.
If the parents and teachers have serious misgivings and grievances, take them up with the governors. Surely they can’t ignore all of them.
Steven, you say “If the last head teacher was so good and the current one is so bad, why have the results improved since the current head has taken over”?
Your comment sadly encapsulates everything wrong with education today!
Mr King was a Headteacher of a ‘School’, whose purpose was to produce successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens, who would ultimately make a positive contribution to society.
Dr. Asong however. is the Headteacher of an Academy nee ‘exam factory’! This business has no interest in ‘education’, but purely trades in ‘qualifications’!
Alas, teachers today are invariably just “ventriloquist dummies” as you describe. Rarely will children remember their ‘heroes’ as did my generation, who inspired us, had a personality and made lessons fun!
Dr Asong doesn’t need ‘characters’ to teach (they don’t even have to be qualified), just robotic clones whose sole aim is to get ‘results’!
Sad but true…and scandalous!
E.C.M. I agree with you. When I was at school I was told by my history teacher I would never pass an “O” Level in history. He wouldn’t enter me for the exam. My single parent mother paid for the exam. £15 in 198*.
I got an A grade, did my A level, passed, love history, etc, etc., among other things.
My history teacher and other teachers at the school would now be considered as weird because they were very open with kids they taught and would tell the less able students they just weren’t up to it. Not before the end of the two years they’d spent in options I might add. Maybe that was wrong.
The desire of society to tell all children they are wonderful and gifted, the left’s desire to make us all equal, is clearly misplaced.
We can choose one or the other. Nobody wants to disengage those that can’t but, those that can? Do we send them to the bottom of the pile for the sake of expediency.