Southend headteacher cleared of fiddling exam results

3:30pm Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News

Southend headteacher cleared of fiddling exam results Southend headteacher cleared of fiddling exam results

A HEADTEACHER has been cleared of any wrongdoing, after she was accused of fiddling her pupils’ exam results.

Ros Ferdinand, the former head of Porters Grange Primary School, Lancaster Gardens, Southend, was suspended in July after allegations she had falsified the school’s test results.

The move, which prompted a full investigation by governors, came just a week before Mrs Ferdinand was due to retire.

Speaking for the first time on the issue yesterday, Sam Richardson, the governing body’s chairman, confirmed Mrs Ferdinand had now been cleared of all allegations.

Mr Richardson said: “The governing body is pleased to report an independent investigation into the administration of tests and the use of pupil data at the school has found no evidence of wrongdoing.

“Mrs Ferdinand has subsequently retired, but the governors would like to place on record their thanks for all her efforts during her time at Porters Grange. “A new headteacher is now in place and we’re confident she will continue Mrs Ferdinand’s good work.”

Mrs Ferdinand’s suspension came amid a spate of similar incidents at schools across the borough.

In January, Elizabeth Baines, head at the Priory School, Southend, was placed on indefinite gardening leave following allegations of poor administration.

Mrs Baines remains on leave while the case is investigated.

Then, last month, Southend Council confirmed Andrea Woods, head of Friars Primary and Nursery School, Shoebury , had been suspended with two other members of staff.

An interim headteacher is currently in place at the school.

It is usual practice for governing bodies to suspend teachers accused of serious offences, regardless of the amount of evidence available.

Ms Richardson said suspension was the only way for the allegations against Mrs Ferdinand to be resolved fairly.

She added: “Any concerns have to be investigated and suspension is a neutral act used to enable such investigations to proceed fairly and impartially. “Additional support has been provided to the school staff during this difficult period.”

Comments (12)

4:28pm Tue 11 Sep 12

emcee says...

I suppose it put a bit of a dampner on her retirement, though.
I suppose it put a bit of a dampner on her retirement, though. emcee

4:49pm Tue 11 Sep 12

Nebs says...

So, someone made allegations which turned out to be false. What happens to them?
So, someone made allegations which turned out to be false. What happens to them? Nebs

5:05pm Tue 11 Sep 12

muffindamule says...

"It is usual practice for governing bodies to suspend teachers accused of serious offences, regardless of the amount of evidence available".

A practice which needs to be reassessed. Whatever happened to the principle of innocent until proved guilty ?
"It is usual practice for governing bodies to suspend teachers accused of serious offences, regardless of the amount of evidence available". A practice which needs to be reassessed. Whatever happened to the principle of innocent until proved guilty ? muffindamule

5:31pm Tue 11 Sep 12

emcee says...

muffindamule wrote:
"It is usual practice for governing bodies to suspend teachers accused of serious offences, regardless of the amount of evidence available".

A practice which needs to be reassessed. Whatever happened to the principle of innocent until proved guilty ?
Depends on the allegation. Where there are children involved it is a better policy to be safe than sorry, especially in cases of alleged abuse. It may not be fair on the innocent but it will ensure the immediate safety of the children, just in case the alleged party is guilty. Where finances, everyday teaching issues, everyday management, IT systems etc., is concerned then suspension will safeguard the immediate running of the school and safegurd the childrens education.
If, however, an issue not effecting everyday matters, as in this case, then their should be no reason to suspend unless that person is judged to be capable of causing disruption.
Remember, schools are probably the one the public institution where councils and the government must tread as if they are walking through a pride of sleeping lions. The slightest disturbance and the whole thing can end very nastily and all because their primary business involves the welfare and wellbeing of children.
The powers that be must always be seen to have the childs best interests given priority, even if this means a little bit of over-reaction now and again.
[quote][p][bold]muffindamule[/bold] wrote: "It is usual practice for governing bodies to suspend teachers accused of serious offences, regardless of the amount of evidence available". A practice which needs to be reassessed. Whatever happened to the principle of innocent until proved guilty ?[/p][/quote]Depends on the allegation. Where there are children involved it is a better policy to be safe than sorry, especially in cases of alleged abuse. It may not be fair on the innocent but it will ensure the immediate safety of the children, just in case the alleged party is guilty. Where finances, everyday teaching issues, everyday management, IT systems etc., is concerned then suspension will safeguard the immediate running of the school and safegurd the childrens education. If, however, an issue not effecting everyday matters, as in this case, then their should be no reason to suspend unless that person is judged to be capable of causing disruption. Remember, schools are probably the one the public institution where councils and the government must tread as if they are walking through a pride of sleeping lions. The slightest disturbance and the whole thing can end very nastily and all because their primary business involves the welfare and wellbeing of children. The powers that be must always be seen to have the childs best interests given priority, even if this means a little bit of over-reaction now and again. emcee

6:29pm Tue 11 Sep 12

muffindamule says...

emcee wrote:
muffindamule wrote:
"It is usual practice for governing bodies to suspend teachers accused of serious offences, regardless of the amount of evidence available".

A practice which needs to be reassessed. Whatever happened to the principle of innocent until proved guilty ?
Depends on the allegation. Where there are children involved it is a better policy to be safe than sorry, especially in cases of alleged abuse. It may not be fair on the innocent but it will ensure the immediate safety of the children, just in case the alleged party is guilty. Where finances, everyday teaching issues, everyday management, IT systems etc., is concerned then suspension will safeguard the immediate running of the school and safegurd the childrens education.
If, however, an issue not effecting everyday matters, as in this case, then their should be no reason to suspend unless that person is judged to be capable of causing disruption.
Remember, schools are probably the one the public institution where councils and the government must tread as if they are walking through a pride of sleeping lions. The slightest disturbance and the whole thing can end very nastily and all because their primary business involves the welfare and wellbeing of children.
The powers that be must always be seen to have the childs best interests given priority, even if this means a little bit of over-reaction now and again.
I accept that priority must be given to the children's welfare but under the present system it appears that anyone, making even a completely unfounded malicious allegation, is in a position to adversely affect the career of a totally innocent party. Let's face it, mud sticks. I sincerely hope Ros Ferdinand's suspension has not left a bitter taste in her mouth. I'm sure she deserved a better start to her retirement.
[quote][p][bold]emcee[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]muffindamule[/bold] wrote: "It is usual practice for governing bodies to suspend teachers accused of serious offences, regardless of the amount of evidence available". A practice which needs to be reassessed. Whatever happened to the principle of innocent until proved guilty ?[/p][/quote]Depends on the allegation. Where there are children involved it is a better policy to be safe than sorry, especially in cases of alleged abuse. It may not be fair on the innocent but it will ensure the immediate safety of the children, just in case the alleged party is guilty. Where finances, everyday teaching issues, everyday management, IT systems etc., is concerned then suspension will safeguard the immediate running of the school and safegurd the childrens education. If, however, an issue not effecting everyday matters, as in this case, then their should be no reason to suspend unless that person is judged to be capable of causing disruption. Remember, schools are probably the one the public institution where councils and the government must tread as if they are walking through a pride of sleeping lions. The slightest disturbance and the whole thing can end very nastily and all because their primary business involves the welfare and wellbeing of children. The powers that be must always be seen to have the childs best interests given priority, even if this means a little bit of over-reaction now and again.[/p][/quote]I accept that priority must be given to the children's welfare but under the present system it appears that anyone, making even a completely unfounded malicious allegation, is in a position to adversely affect the career of a totally innocent party. Let's face it, mud sticks. I sincerely hope Ros Ferdinand's suspension has not left a bitter taste in her mouth. I'm sure she deserved a better start to her retirement. muffindamule

7:32pm Tue 11 Sep 12

southendshrimper says...

“The governing body is pleased to report an independent investigation"
“The governing body is pleased to report an independent investigation" southendshrimper

7:35pm Tue 11 Sep 12

southendshrimper says...

“The governing body is pleased to report an independent investigation"

OK independent from who?
I took my son out of this poor school as they could not help him. They peferd to push the children who needed a little more help out & only keep the better peforming children.
It felt like she had no time for children or parents. All the parents I have spoken to did not like her.
“The governing body is pleased to report an independent investigation" OK independent from who? I took my son out of this poor school as they could not help him. They peferd to push the children who needed a little more help out & only keep the better peforming children. It felt like she had no time for children or parents. All the parents I have spoken to did not like her. southendshrimper

10:57pm Tue 11 Sep 12

APR says...

It sounds like cover-up to me. I don't expect we will ever know the truth ?
It sounds like cover-up to me. I don't expect we will ever know the truth ? APR

10:59pm Tue 11 Sep 12

Dubaholic says...

Great end to her retirement, feel sorry for the woman, but hey shes all cleared now.. She done alot for that school. Yes alot of parents i hear didnt like her, but then have you seen alot of the parents who attend that school? They probably didnt like hearing the truth.. Very hard school to run if you look at how many mixed nationalities attend also. Anyone working in a school enviroment these daus has a very tough job. So fair play to em!!
Great end to her retirement, feel sorry for the woman, but hey shes all cleared now.. She done alot for that school. Yes alot of parents i hear didnt like her, but then have you seen alot of the parents who attend that school? They probably didnt like hearing the truth.. Very hard school to run if you look at how many mixed nationalities attend also. Anyone working in a school enviroment these daus has a very tough job. So fair play to em!! Dubaholic

5:52am Wed 12 Sep 12

muffindamule says...

APR wrote:
It sounds like cover-up to me. I don't expect we will ever know the truth ?
There you are, like I said before, mud sticks !
[quote][p][bold]APR[/bold] wrote: It sounds like cover-up to me. I don't expect we will ever know the truth ?[/p][/quote]There you are, like I said before, mud sticks ! muffindamule

4:04pm Wed 12 Sep 12

aduksquack says...

southendshrimper wrote:
“The governing body is pleased to report an independent investigation"

OK independent from who?
I took my son out of this poor school as they could not help him. They peferd to push the children who needed a little more help out & only keep the better peforming children.
It felt like she had no time for children or parents. All the parents I have spoken to did not like her.
A lot of schools do that. It improves their Ofsted scores.
[quote][p][bold]southendshrimper[/bold] wrote: “The governing body is pleased to report an independent investigation" OK independent from who? I took my son out of this poor school as they could not help him. They peferd to push the children who needed a little more help out & only keep the better peforming children. It felt like she had no time for children or parents. All the parents I have spoken to did not like her.[/p][/quote]A lot of schools do that. It improves their Ofsted scores. aduksquack

5:09pm Thu 13 Sep 12

This Rancid Town says...

You should all find a teacher, befriend them and then ask to look at their OFSTED packs, the governing body TELL teachers to fiddle the results, especially those who take free school meals as they are seen to be unable to reach the same levels of education due to the fact they are poor.

The education system doesn't even have a current national curriculum to teach from and all schools, primary and secondary, have had to take their pick from past curriculum offerings and a new one won't be in place till the 2013/14 term, if we are lucky!!
You should all find a teacher, befriend them and then ask to look at their OFSTED packs, the governing body TELL teachers to fiddle the results, especially those who take free school meals as they are seen to be unable to reach the same levels of education due to the fact they are poor. The education system doesn't even have a current national curriculum to teach from and all schools, primary and secondary, have had to take their pick from past curriculum offerings and a new one won't be in place till the 2013/14 term, if we are lucky!! This Rancid Town

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