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'This is a school, not a prison camp' says Ridgeway head
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| Steve Colledge |
A headteacher has said his school will never be completely secure.
Wroughton's Ridgeway School head Steve Colledge, who has previously refused to speak about school security following the hammer attack on pupil Henry Webster on January 11, 2007, granted the Adver an interview last week.
Despite the Adver highlighting lax security at the school last month, we were still able to walk unchecked into the school through a kitchen entrance prior to our meeting with the head.
"We are not a prison camp and I don't think we can ever say we are 100 per cent secure," said Mr Colledge.
"There are too many people with too many reasons to come and go.
"Since January 11, we have installed new cameras and a security fence.
"I don't think we would have had the security fence if this incident hadn't occurred and at the time there was a lot of opposition from local people about it. Parents don't want to see a prison camp.
"Although we have got the fence the school is still not totally secure. There is the main entrance and the one on St Andrew's Drive for the pupils to use in the morning.
"The second entrance is only open in the morning and closed when the bell goes.
"This is a mixed age building with no fixed entrances and exits.
"We are going to get swipe cards. We keep reviewing our security, but there is always a lot of movement around the school."
The school plans to bring in electronic swipe cards allowing only students to come into the two main entrances, but the technology won't be introduced until September 1, while the leisure centre and school kitchen doors will not be included.
| I don't think we would have had the security fence if this incident hadn't occurred and at the time there was a lot of opposition from local people about it. Parents don't want to see a prison camp. | | Steve Colledge |
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Mr Colledge insisted the attack and subsequent trials had not effected morale among pupils or teachers at the school and said the resignation of 17 teachers since last January, with another 15 teachers due to leave in September, was due to them reaching retirement age.
"We have had quite a lot of staff turnover. But the incident itself has had no impact at all," he said.
"Throughout this the school has remained strong. The response on January 12 was complete calm.
"That incident happened to occur at Ridgeway School. Nationally there have been incidents in many schools.
"It was an incredibly regrettable incident. It is just terrible what happened."
The Advertiser asked Mr Colledge to provide details of the number of times the police had been called to the school, but he said the school did not know.
"We don't generally contact the police," said Mr Colledge.
"If a parent was concerned about threats or something they would inform us. We would say have you involved the police? Then they would call the police.
"We wouldn't record if the police were involved."
As Mr Colledge explained the school's policy on policing, a police dog van pulled up outside the window of his office.
The school had called the police just 10 minutes earlier, after a pupil feared someone would be lying in wait for him after school.
When asked about this latest incident, Mr Colledge said: "We made our local community police aware."
He described the call-out as "usual and routine".
9:00am Tuesday 6th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon on 10:17am Tue 6 May 08
[bold]He described the call-out as "usual and routine".[/bold] Worrying if they do not believe they have a problem
He described the call-out as "usual and routine". Worrying if they do not believe they have a problem
Posted by: atiff_uk, Swindon on 11:21am Tue 6 May 08
Swindon Adverstiser find somthing else to write about this all you go on about ridgeway school. Pick on some other schools[bold]bold[/bold]
Swindon Adverstiser find somthing else to write about this all you go on about ridgeway school. Pick on some other schools
Posted by: Scarlett, Swindon on 11:36am Tue 6 May 08
What happened to Henry Webster was a tragic incident, which shocked everyone and my sincere wishes are sent to him for his future. x
However, we need to put this security issue in context. This same attack, based at any other Swindon school, no, any other school in the country, would have still had happened!
It was the end of the day, hundreds of children trying to leave school. The attackers were there with the intention to get him,they would have got into any other school just as easily as Ridgeway, if Henry had attended a different school.
The fact it happened at Ridgeway and not Greendown, Churchfields or St Josephs is just fortunate on those schools because hand on heart, NONE of them could have prevented this intentional attack.
What happened to Henry Webster was a tragic incident, which shocked everyone and my sincere wishes are sent to him for his future. x
However, we need to put this security issue in context. This same attack, based at any other Swindon school, no, any other school in the country, would have still had happened!
It was the end of the day, hundreds of children trying to leave school. The attackers were there with the intention to get him,they would have got into any other school just as easily as Ridgeway, if Henry had attended a different school.
The fact it happened at Ridgeway and not Greendown, Churchfields or St Josephs is just fortunate on those schools because hand on heart, NONE of them could have prevented this intentional attack.
Posted by: flufflett, Wiltshire on 12:02pm Tue 6 May 08
..... and 32 teachers will have left following the incident in Jan last year - but of course morale hasn't been a problem! All 32 teachers have reached retirement age miraculously within 18months - I don't remember seeing that many 60 yr old teachers at parents evenings!!! I'd like to see some evidence to back up that statement.
..... and 32 teachers will have left following the incident in Jan last year - but of course morale hasn't been a problem! All 32 teachers have reached retirement age miraculously within 18months - I don't remember seeing that many 60 yr old teachers at parents evenings!!! I'd like to see some evidence to back up that statement.
Posted by: NPB, Swindon on 1:35pm Tue 6 May 08
Much more interesting...
http://news.bbc.co.u
k/1/hi/uk/7385644.st
m
[bold]Police in Swindon terror arrest[/bold]
[italic]A 51-year-old man has been arrested at an address in the Swindon area under the Terrorism Act 2000, Scotland Yard has said. [/italic]
Much more interesting...
http://news.bbc.co.u
k/1/hi/uk/7385644.st
m
Police in Swindon terror arrest
A 51-year-old man has been arrested at an address in the Swindon area under the Terrorism Act 2000, Scotland Yard has said. Posted by: sashstaff, Swindon on 1:40pm Tue 6 May 08
It isn't just Ridgeway, anyone can wander into pretty much any school if they know where to go.
It isn't just Ridgeway, anyone can wander into pretty much any school if they know where to go.
Posted by: atiff_uk, Swindon on 2:15pm Tue 6 May 08
1450 children at the school how many attacks have there been? 3/4 10-20 50. thats less then 5%. your more likely to be run over by a car or somthing then get attacked after school
1450 children at the school how many attacks have there been? 3/4 10-20 50. thats less then 5%. your more likely to be run over by a car or somthing then get attacked after school
Posted by: flufflett, Wiltshire on 2:24pm Tue 6 May 08
[quote][bold]atiff_uk[/bold] wrote:
1450 children at the school how many attacks have there been? 3/4 10-20 50. thats less then 5%. your more likely to be run over by a car or somthing then get attacked after school [/quote] However this school on the headmaster's own admission doesn't keep a record of how many times the police are called - so how do you know how many incidents there have been. I know for a fact, I've had to take my son to casualty and it wasn't reported. I think it would be better if they were open and honest and then everyone could work together to get the best solution - however as a parent if you go in there all they do is suggest that your child did something to warrant the violence. It's not a good attitude.
atiff_uk wrote:
1450 children at the school how many attacks have there been? 3/4 10-20 50. thats less then 5%. your more likely to be run over by a car or somthing then get attacked after school
However this school on the headmaster's own admission doesn't keep a record of how many times the police are called - so how do you know how many incidents there have been. I know for a fact, I've had to take my son to casualty and it wasn't reported. I think it would be better if they were open and honest and then everyone could work together to get the best solution - however as a parent if you go in there all they do is suggest that your child did something to warrant the violence. It's not a good attitude.
Posted by: malkym on 4:27pm Tue 6 May 08
[quote][bold]flufflett[/bold] wrote:
..... and 32 teachers will have left following the incident in Jan last year - but of course morale hasn't been a problem! All 32 teachers have reached retirement age miraculously within 18months - I don't remember seeing that many 60 yr old teachers at parents evenings!!! I'd like to see some evidence to back up that statement.[/quote] ....not to mention the loss of senior business management and IT personnel who found they couldn't work under the new regime! The school has had leadership problems for awhile - there were the well documented problems involving the previous head with long term sickness issues. However I also understand that the temporary headship team in place prior to the appointment of Mr Colledge did a superb job and maintained Ridgeway's reputation of one of the leading and best run schools in the area. It remains to be seen if Mr Colledge can improve or at least maintain that status in the local schools standings, but he is right that schools are not prisons - and where is the money going to come from to transform the place into a high security controlled environment with cctv, access controls, patrolling security guards etc?(Anybody determined enough will always find a method of entry).Doubtless the same parents who are rightly concerned over the apparent lax security(and I agree there is room for improvement) would be whinging to find out that all the school's budget had been taken up with security and there was no money to spend on the basic education needs of their offsprings.
flufflett wrote:
..... and 32 teachers will have left following the incident in Jan last year - but of course morale hasn't been a problem! All 32 teachers have reached retirement age miraculously within 18months - I don't remember seeing that many 60 yr old teachers at parents evenings!!! I'd like to see some evidence to back up that statement.
....not to mention the loss of senior business management and IT personnel who found they couldn't work under the new regime! The school has had leadership problems for awhile - there were the well documented problems involving the previous head with long term sickness issues. However I also understand that the temporary headship team in place prior to the appointment of Mr Colledge did a superb job and maintained Ridgeway's reputation of one of the leading and best run schools in the area. It remains to be seen if Mr Colledge can improve or at least maintain that status in the local schools standings, but he is right that schools are not prisons - and where is the money going to come from to transform the place into a high security controlled environment with cctv, access controls, patrolling security guards etc?(Anybody determined enough will always find a method of entry).Doubtless the same parents who are rightly concerned over the apparent lax security(and I agree there is room for improvement) would be whinging to find out that all the school's budget had been taken up with security and there was no money to spend on the basic education needs of their offsprings.
Posted by: atiff_uk, Swindon on 5:16pm Tue 6 May 08
i think we gone quite off topic here muslims dont get prefrential treatment. You have asked what your headmistress meant by her comments you cant jump to assumptions when you dont know the facts.
Im sure if there were hundreds of attacks at ridgeway school and and police were called everyday you would have heard about it now people talk. like they talk about an asian gang that carries weapons in the school.
asian gangs? i think most of them have left ridgeway school have they not? well most of the trouble makers anyway. not all asians that hang about with each other are criminals and its not against the law so again dont make assumptions
i think we gone quite off topic here muslims dont get prefrential treatment. You have asked what your headmistress meant by her comments you cant jump to assumptions when you dont know the facts.
Im sure if there were hundreds of attacks at ridgeway school and and police were called everyday you would have heard about it now people talk. like they talk about an asian gang that carries weapons in the school.
asian gangs? i think most of them have left ridgeway school have they not? well most of the trouble makers anyway. not all asians that hang about with each other are criminals and its not against the law so again dont make assumptions
Posted by: flufflett, Wiltshire on 5:28pm Tue 6 May 08
[quote][bold]atiff_uk[/bold] wrote:
i think we gone quite off topic here muslims dont get prefrential treatment. You have asked what your headmistress meant by her comments you cant jump to assumptions when you dont know the facts. Im sure if there were hundreds of attacks at ridgeway school and and police were called everyday you would have heard about it now people talk. like they talk about an asian gang that carries weapons in the school. asian gangs? i think most of them have left ridgeway school have they not? well most of the trouble makers anyway. not all asians that hang about with each other are criminals and its not against the law so again dont make assumptions [/quote] Only a few Asian children left this school after the attack last January - and there are still quite a few there. The feeling amongst the children is that they are given preferential treatment by the staff - presumably because they are a minority. And that they do make racist remarks to the white kids - like milkbottles etc etc. All the kids there should be treated the same. My kids tell me that the Asian kids have their own area to hang around in at lunch/break times - they should be integrating with the rest of the school. I remember just after the attack an Asian girl posted a quote on this site saying that she thought these Asian kids were racist so ..... I believe the old saying is there's never smoke without fire. I think the school just haven't had a good integration policy and what a shame as that caused the tension which has led to real trouble. It would've been better if the school had admitted they had made huge mistakes, enlisted some specialist support and sorted the problems. There are very successful multi-cultural schools in other places in the UK - I wonder if busing in kids from the Broad Green to a fairly affluent village is the right approach too???
atiff_uk wrote:
i think we gone quite off topic here muslims dont get prefrential treatment. You have asked what your headmistress meant by her comments you cant jump to assumptions when you dont know the facts. Im sure if there were hundreds of attacks at ridgeway school and and police were called everyday you would have heard about it now people talk. like they talk about an asian gang that carries weapons in the school. asian gangs? i think most of them have left ridgeway school have they not? well most of the trouble makers anyway. not all asians that hang about with each other are criminals and its not against the law so again dont make assumptions
Only a few Asian children left this school after the attack last January - and there are still quite a few there. The feeling amongst the children is that they are given preferential treatment by the staff - presumably because they are a minority. And that they do make racist remarks to the white kids - like milkbottles etc etc. All the kids there should be treated the same. My kids tell me that the Asian kids have their own area to hang around in at lunch/break times - they should be integrating with the rest of the school. I remember just after the attack an Asian girl posted a quote on this site saying that she thought these Asian kids were racist so ..... I believe the old saying is there's never smoke without fire. I think the school just haven't had a good integration policy and what a shame as that caused the tension which has led to real trouble. It would've been better if the school had admitted they had made huge mistakes, enlisted some specialist support and sorted the problems. There are very successful multi-cultural schools in other places in the UK - I wonder if busing in kids from the Broad Green to a fairly affluent village is the right approach too???
Posted by: flufflett, Wiltshire on 5:31pm Tue 6 May 08
[quote][bold]atiff_uk[/bold] wrote:
1450 children at the school how many attacks have there been? 3/4 10-20 50. thats less then 5%. your more likely to be run over by a car or somthing then get attacked after school [/quote] However this school on the headmaster's own admission doesn't keep a record of how many times the police are called - so how do you know how many incidents there have been. I know for a fact, I've had to take my son to casualty and it wasn't reported. I think it would be better if they were open and honest and then everyone could work together to get the best solution - however as a parent if you go in there all they do is suggest that your child did something to warrant the violence. It's not a good attitude.
atiff_uk wrote:
1450 children at the school how many attacks have there been? 3/4 10-20 50. thats less then 5%. your more likely to be run over by a car or somthing then get attacked after school
However this school on the headmaster's own admission doesn't keep a record of how many times the police are called - so how do you know how many incidents there have been. I know for a fact, I've had to take my son to casualty and it wasn't reported. I think it would be better if they were open and honest and then everyone could work together to get the best solution - however as a parent if you go in there all they do is suggest that your child did something to warrant the violence. It's not a good attitude.
Posted by: Grumpy, Swindon on 6:54pm Tue 6 May 08
Following the removal of my last post it seems the Adver is censoring posts it's journalists/editor/j
obsworths disagree with. Perhaps they can offer some explanation as to why it's been removed!
If the Adver is against people voicing their views on issues then there doesn't seem to be any point in commenting on stories it publishes.
Following the removal of my last post it seems the Adver is censoring posts it's journalists/editor/j
obsworths disagree with. Perhaps they can offer some explanation as to why it's been removed!
If the Adver is against people voicing their views on issues then there doesn't seem to be any point in commenting on stories it publishes.
Posted by: flufflett, Wiltshire on 7:27pm Tue 6 May 08
It does seem that many posts have been removed - I totally agree with Grumpy what is the point of asking for people to comment and then manipulating the response!
It does seem that many posts have been removed - I totally agree with Grumpy what is the point of asking for people to comment and then manipulating the response!
Posted by: roy bezzant, swindon on 8:47pm Tue 6 May 08
Why were thereno problems like this when i went to school.Perhaps a clip around the ear or the cane was a good deteraint.Bring back the good old schoolmasters.
Why were thereno problems like this when i went to school.Perhaps a clip around the ear or the cane was a good deteraint.Bring back the good old schoolmasters.
Posted by: Scarlett, Swindon on 10:02pm Tue 6 May 08
There were no problems back in the days Roy, because we didnt have our children attending such multi-cultural schools and then expecting everyone to just get along!
There is understanding of ALL cultures needed and it should be understood by ALL students that ALL kids will be treated EQUALLY, they are not done so! The racist card gets pulled out at every hurdle, its enough to make one racist!
There were no problems back in the days Roy, because we didnt have our children attending such multi-cultural schools and then expecting everyone to just get along!
There is understanding of ALL cultures needed and it should be understood by ALL students that ALL kids will be treated EQUALLY, they are not done so! The racist card gets pulled out at every hurdle, its enough to make one racist!
Posted by: Grumpy, Swindon on 10:28pm Tue 6 May 08
[quote][bold]Scarlett[/bold] wrote:
There were no problems back in the days Roy, because we didnt have our children attending such multi-cultural schools and then expecting everyone to just get along!
There is understanding of ALL cultures needed and it should be understood by ALL students that ALL kids will be treated EQUALLY, they are not done so! The racist card gets pulled out at every hurdle, its enough to make one racist![/quote] I wonder how long before the Adver Taliban remove this post?
Scarlett wrote:
There were no problems back in the days Roy, because we didnt have our children attending such multi-cultural schools and then expecting everyone to just get along!
There is understanding of ALL cultures needed and it should be understood by ALL students that ALL kids will be treated EQUALLY, they are not done so! The racist card gets pulled out at every hurdle, its enough to make one racist!
I wonder how long before the Adver Taliban remove this post?
Posted by: SpeakUp, Swindon on 11:05pm Tue 6 May 08
Why do we always egenerate into seeing this as a racist issue? The level of discipline and behaviour in schools across the land is appaling nowadays. Not because of race, colour, religion or gender. It's because there the teachers hands are tied so tightly they can't impose discipline (and yes, some teachers would actually want to do so, not all, I know). The pendulum has swung way too far - children are taught their 'rights' and not their responsibilities. "Call Childline" is standard advice - not in the context of real abuse (which is abhorrent) but whenever they feel their 'rights' are infringed by a parent, teacher or other adult.
High time we allowed the rules to be imposed, punishments to be clear and fair but carried through and teachers protected from accusations of abuse when they try to run a class fit for the majority of decent kids.
Why do we always egenerate into seeing this as a racist issue? The level of discipline and behaviour in schools across the land is appaling nowadays. Not because of race, colour, religion or gender. It's because there the teachers hands are tied so tightly they can't impose discipline (and yes, some teachers would actually want to do so, not all, I know). The pendulum has swung way too far - children are taught their 'rights' and not their responsibilities. "Call Childline" is standard advice - not in the context of real abuse (which is abhorrent) but whenever they feel their 'rights' are infringed by a parent, teacher or other adult.
High time we allowed the rules to be imposed, punishments to be clear and fair but carried through and teachers protected from accusations of abuse when they try to run a class fit for the majority of decent kids.
Posted by: Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon on 7:16am Wed 7 May 08
SpeakUp, well thought out post. Let's face those of us a little older, and who have posted above are viewing school with somewhat rose tinted glasses. The basic 'inter class' war hasn't changed a great deal, the method in dealing with has. There were always those who were victims of bullying. Children have the ability to be extremely cruel, remember the taunts. Four eyes, if you wore glasses, billy bunter, if you were fat, carrot top, if you were a red head etc. And yes there were what would now be perceived as 'racist' taunts, but kids just saw them as being childishly insulting. Essentially we all got on with it, I remember several fights about the insults. I had our scrap, sometimes in the playground, both sides supporters cheering. A teacher intervened, you got a detention a letter was sent home you go a 'wack' from your dad, even though 'dad it wasn't my fault.' then you moved on. What is required in my opinion is for the police to take firm action on gang violence, not ignore it. The school needs to acknowledge at the very least that they need to address these concerns whether perceived or not. As for childish taunts, including so called racist ones, they need to be viewed with balance. No one culture is worse than another, but just perhaps the clash of cultures and resolution within those cultures may be different. I once worked on a murder where a victim was beheaded for having an affair with his brother wife, the family openly admitted doing it, they could see nothing wrong, it was 'their justice', needless to say the went to prison, I'm quite so sure that would be the result now.
SpeakUp, well thought out post. Let's face those of us a little older, and who have posted above are viewing school with somewhat rose tinted glasses. The basic 'inter class' war hasn't changed a great deal, the method in dealing with has. There were always those who were victims of bullying. Children have the ability to be extremely cruel, remember the taunts. Four eyes, if you wore glasses, billy bunter, if you were fat, carrot top, if you were a red head etc. And yes there were what would now be perceived as 'racist' taunts, but kids just saw them as being childishly insulting. Essentially we all got on with it, I remember several fights about the insults. I had our scrap, sometimes in the playground, both sides supporters cheering. A teacher intervened, you got a detention a letter was sent home you go a 'wack' from your dad, even though 'dad it wasn't my fault.' then you moved on. What is required in my opinion is for the police to take firm action on gang violence, not ignore it. The school needs to acknowledge at the very least that they need to address these concerns whether perceived or not. As for childish taunts, including so called racist ones, they need to be viewed with balance. No one culture is worse than another, but just perhaps the clash of cultures and resolution within those cultures may be different. I once worked on a murder where a victim was beheaded for having an affair with his brother wife, the family openly admitted doing it, they could see nothing wrong, it was 'their justice', needless to say the went to prison, I'm quite so sure that would be the result now.
Posted by: flufflett, Wiltshire on 10:27am Wed 7 May 08
Just examine what this headmaster has said :
Everything was calm on 12th Jan 07 - that is a lie as most parents were furious and were camped outside his office demanding a meeting and he wouldn't talk to them.
Pupils and staff were fine afterwards - morale was high - just 32 teachers left and I have read in this paper what kids witnessed on that day - there's no way you'd be fine after witnessing what they saw.
This leads me to believe Mr Colledge is a liar and he's completely out of touch and of his depth. He should be saying that the school has been traumatised and they are doing everything possible to ensure this NEVER happens again. He's just burying his head in the sand.
Just examine what this headmaster has said :
Everything was calm on 12th Jan 07 - that is a lie as most parents were furious and were camped outside his office demanding a meeting and he wouldn't talk to them.
Pupils and staff were fine afterwards - morale was high - just 32 teachers left and I have read in this paper what kids witnessed on that day - there's no way you'd be fine after witnessing what they saw.
This leads me to believe Mr Colledge is a liar and he's completely out of touch and of his depth. He should be saying that the school has been traumatised and they are doing everything possible to ensure this NEVER happens again. He's just burying his head in the sand.
Posted by: G, Swindon on 10:46am Wed 7 May 08
Hey, yet another day of Ridgeway bashing, how original. As a parent with chidren at this school I am getting very tired of the Adver trying to drag the school down. Do you really think that article after article has no effect on the moral in school? I feel that the moral is good but my heart sinks everytime I see yet another negative article about Ridgeway. Why not focus the positive things that have happened since this attack. This attack happened as a result of 'bad' people not a bad school. LEAVE RIDGEWAY ALONE!! Surely there is something more newsworthy out there, or is the Advert too lazy to look?
Hey, yet another day of Ridgeway bashing, how original. As a parent with chidren at this school I am getting very tired of the Adver trying to drag the school down. Do you really think that article after article has no effect on the moral in school? I feel that the moral is good but my heart sinks everytime I see yet another negative article about Ridgeway. Why not focus the positive things that have happened since this attack. This attack happened as a result of 'bad' people not a bad school. LEAVE RIDGEWAY ALONE!! Surely there is something more newsworthy out there, or is the Advert too lazy to look?
Posted by: G, Swindon on 10:52am Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]flufflett[/bold] wrote:
Just examine what this headmaster has said : Everything was calm on 12th Jan 07 - that is a lie as most parents were furious and were camped outside his office demanding a meeting and he wouldn't talk to them. Pupils and staff were fine afterwards - morale was high - just 32 teachers left and I have read in this paper what kids witnessed on that day - there's no way you'd be fine after witnessing what they saw. This leads me to believe Mr Colledge is a liar and he's completely out of touch and of his depth. He should be saying that the school has been traumatised and they are doing everything possible to ensure this NEVER happens again. He's just burying his head in the sand. [/quote] Do you have children in this school? I have and they felt that everything was calm after the attack.
Most of the parents were NOT camped out outside his office. There were a handful of very vocal parents as there always is. The rest of us of course were concerned but letters home and a parents meeting kept us reassured and informed.
I would be interested to see the staff turnover in other secondary schools. Have you failed to notice the recent teachers strike? Teachers are not just leaving schools, they are leaving the profession. Is this Mr Colledge's fault as well?!
flufflett wrote:
Just examine what this headmaster has said : Everything was calm on 12th Jan 07 - that is a lie as most parents were furious and were camped outside his office demanding a meeting and he wouldn't talk to them. Pupils and staff were fine afterwards - morale was high - just 32 teachers left and I have read in this paper what kids witnessed on that day - there's no way you'd be fine after witnessing what they saw. This leads me to believe Mr Colledge is a liar and he's completely out of touch and of his depth. He should be saying that the school has been traumatised and they are doing everything possible to ensure this NEVER happens again. He's just burying his head in the sand.
Do you have children in this school? I have and they felt that everything was calm after the attack.
Most of the parents were NOT camped out outside his office. There were a handful of very vocal parents as there always is. The rest of us of course were concerned but letters home and a parents meeting kept us reassured and informed.
I would be interested to see the staff turnover in other secondary schools. Have you failed to notice the recent teachers strike? Teachers are not just leaving schools, they are leaving the profession. Is this Mr Colledge's fault as well?!
Posted by: Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon on 11:37am Wed 7 May 08
G, whilst those of us who do not have children in the school may not have your insight, it does seem nevertheless that at best there is a serious communication problem here. As I posted in my very first post:
[bold]He described the call-out as "usual and routine". Worrying if they do not believe they have a problem[/bold] He had previously stated,[bold] "We don't generally contact the police," said Mr Colledge.[/bold] So G with respect what is it no problems, requiring the police, or is it 'usual and routine'. Can you not see why people are confused.
G, whilst those of us who do not have children in the school may not have your insight, it does seem nevertheless that at best there is a serious communication problem here. As I posted in my very first post:
He described the call-out as "usual and routine". Worrying if they do not believe they have a problem He had previously stated,
"We don't generally contact the police," said Mr Colledge. So G with respect what is it no problems, requiring the police, or is it 'usual and routine'. Can you not see why people are confused.
Posted by: atiff_uk, Swindon on 11:38am Wed 7 May 08
1450 students in school.. you would expect to see at least that amunt of parents if they were all camped outside his office instead there was about 12-15 who wanted to get on the news.
1450 students in school.. you would expect to see at least that amunt of parents if they were all camped outside his office instead there was about 12-15 who wanted to get on the news.
Posted by: flufflett, Wiltshire on 11:57am Wed 7 May 08
I find it hard to believe that all schools are losing that amount of teachers. And how the hell could it be calm the day after a child was almost clubbed to death on the school premises? May be it was calm for him because many parents chose to keep their kids home! No school is perfect and everyone wants things to improve at this school - however that isn't going to happen without honesty and openess. There are still tensions there - and with or without a fence the reality is that a similar incident could occur if they don't promote an equal approach to all students.
I find it hard to believe that all schools are losing that amount of teachers. And how the hell could it be calm the day after a child was almost clubbed to death on the school premises? May be it was calm for him because many parents chose to keep their kids home! No school is perfect and everyone wants things to improve at this school - however that isn't going to happen without honesty and openess. There are still tensions there - and with or without a fence the reality is that a similar incident could occur if they don't promote an equal approach to all students.
Posted by: George, Wroughton on 2:32pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]G[/bold] wrote:
Hey, yet another day of Ridgeway bashing, how original. As a parent with chidren at this school I am getting very tired of the Adver trying to drag the school down. Do you really think that article after article has no effect on the moral in school? I feel that the moral is good but my heart sinks everytime I see yet another negative article about Ridgeway. Why not focus the positive things that have happened since this attack. This attack happened as a result of 'bad' people not a bad school. LEAVE RIDGEWAY ALONE!! Surely there is something more newsworthy out there, or is the Advert too lazy to look?[/quote] The reason this school continues to be in the headlines is because it sells newspapers - people are worried about what is going on there. And anyway you should complain to the headmaster as he agreed to be interviewed!!!
G wrote:
Hey, yet another day of Ridgeway bashing, how original. As a parent with chidren at this school I am getting very tired of the Adver trying to drag the school down. Do you really think that article after article has no effect on the moral in school? I feel that the moral is good but my heart sinks everytime I see yet another negative article about Ridgeway. Why not focus the positive things that have happened since this attack. This attack happened as a result of 'bad' people not a bad school. LEAVE RIDGEWAY ALONE!! Surely there is something more newsworthy out there, or is the Advert too lazy to look?
The reason this school continues to be in the headlines is because it sells newspapers - people are worried about what is going on there. And anyway you should complain to the headmaster as he agreed to be interviewed!!!
Posted by: Grumpy, Swindon on 2:47pm Wed 7 May 08
I see the Adver Taliban has removed yet another of my posts concerning this school and it's head. Perhaps they can offer some sort of explanation as to why!
I see the Adver Taliban has removed yet another of my posts concerning this school and it's head. Perhaps they can offer some sort of explanation as to why!
Posted by: Grumpy, Swindon on 2:54pm Wed 7 May 08
G Wrote:
[quote]Teachers are not just leaving schools, they are leaving the profession. Is this Mr Colledge's fault as well?![/quote]
I'll say it again, yes it is Colledges fault that staff are leaving, despite the Adver Taliban trying to stifle debate on this issue. What teacher in his/her right mind would want to work under such an arrogant head?
Go on Adver, remove this as well.
G Wrote:
Teachers are not just leaving schools, they are leaving the profession. Is this Mr Colledge's fault as well?!
I'll say it again, yes it is Colledges fault that staff are leaving, despite the Adver Taliban trying to stifle debate on this issue. What teacher in his/her right mind would want to work under such an arrogant head?
Go on Adver, remove this as well.
Posted by: George, Wroughton on 3:31pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Grumpy[/bold] wrote:
G Wrote: [quote]Teachers are not just leaving schools, they are leaving the profession. Is this Mr Colledge's fault as well?![/quote] I'll say it again, yes it is Colledges fault that staff are leaving, despite the Adver Taliban trying to stifle debate on this issue. What teacher in his/her right mind would want to work under such an arrogant head? Go on Adver, remove this as well. [/quote] I think College has zero communication skills - lots of people (many parents and kids at the school) have no respect for the man. And if 32 teachers have left in 18 months - the teachers obviously can't work with the man either!
Grumpy wrote:
G Wrote: Teachers are not just leaving schools, they are leaving the profession. Is this Mr Colledge's fault as well?!
I'll say it again, yes it is Colledges fault that staff are leaving, despite the Adver Taliban trying to stifle debate on this issue. What teacher in his/her right mind would want to work under such an arrogant head? Go on Adver, remove this as well.
I think College has zero communication skills - lots of people (many parents and kids at the school) have no respect for the man. And if 32 teachers have left in 18 months - the teachers obviously can't work with the man either!
Posted by: malkym on 4:40pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]flufflett[/bold] wrote:
..... and 32 teachers will have left following the incident in Jan last year - but of course morale hasn't been a problem! All 32 teachers have reached retirement age miraculously within 18months - I don't remember seeing that many 60 yr old teachers at parents evenings!!! I'd like to see some evidence to back up that statement.[/quote] Malkym wrote [bold]->....not to mention the loss of senior business management and IT personnel who found they couldn't work under the new regime! The school has had leadership problems for awhile [/bold] In the light of what I originally wrote and Grumpy's comments - posters may wish to draw thier own conclusions as to the competence of the incumbent head.
flufflett wrote:
..... and 32 teachers will have left following the incident in Jan last year - but of course morale hasn't been a problem! All 32 teachers have reached retirement age miraculously within 18months - I don't remember seeing that many 60 yr old teachers at parents evenings!!! I'd like to see some evidence to back up that statement.
Malkym wrote
->....not to mention the loss of senior business management and IT personnel who found they couldn't work under the new regime! The school has had leadership problems for awhile In the light of what I originally wrote and Grumpy's comments - posters may wish to draw thier own conclusions as to the competence of the incumbent head.
Posted by: malkym on 7:37am Thu 8 May 08
These appear to be worrying times for Mr Colledge, should he return to teacher training college?
The Captain, First Mate and hard pressed crew seem to be in a bit of a stew. Where are the governors? trailing in the wake, what if any action will they take?
Seems the odds are stacked against Cap'n Bligh, so raise a glass and say " Here's mud in your eye!" -not Tone the community poet - who doesn't seem to be anymore does he?
These appear to be worrying times for Mr Colledge, should he return to teacher training college?
The Captain, First Mate and hard pressed crew seem to be in a bit of a stew. Where are the governors? trailing in the wake, what if any action will they take?
Seems the odds are stacked against Cap'n Bligh, so raise a glass and say " Here's mud in your eye!" -not Tone the community poet - who doesn't seem to be anymore does he?
Posted by: Grumpy, Swindon on 8:46am Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]malkym[/bold] wrote:
These appear to be worrying times for Mr Colledge, should he return to teacher training college?
The Captain, First Mate and hard pressed crew seem to be in a bit of a stew. Where are the governors? trailing in the wake, what if any action will they take?
Seems the odds are stacked against Cap'n Bligh, so raise a glass and say " Here's mud in your eye!" -not Tone the community poet - who doesn't seem to be anymore does he?[/quote] Ah, Tony Hillier, the non-poet. I wonder what became of him!!!
Here's his epitaph:
"S**thouse poets, when they die,
should have erected in the sky,
in memory of their merry wit,
a monument of solid s**t."
malkym wrote:
These appear to be worrying times for Mr Colledge, should he return to teacher training college?
The Captain, First Mate and hard pressed crew seem to be in a bit of a stew. Where are the governors? trailing in the wake, what if any action will they take?
Seems the odds are stacked against Cap'n Bligh, so raise a glass and say " Here's mud in your eye!" -not Tone the community poet - who doesn't seem to be anymore does he?
Ah, Tony Hillier, the non-poet. I wonder what became of him!!!
Here's his epitaph:
"S**thouse poets, when they die,
should have erected in the sky,
in memory of their merry wit,
a monument of solid s**t."
Posted by: malkym on 10:36am Thu 8 May 08
Grumps it seems Tone's now a DJ,
and he's very good so RFM says,
apparently kept local politicians in check while spinning records on the deck,
Must agree with your ascerbic wit,
Our Tone's poems were really S**t!
Grumps it seems Tone's now a DJ,
and he's very good so RFM says,
apparently kept local politicians in check while spinning records on the deck,
Must agree with your ascerbic wit,
Our Tone's poems were really S**t!
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