Academies headteacher leaves five months early after row with governors about teaching hours

2:00pm Saturday 17th November 2012 in Local News By Melissa Hills

Academies headteacher leaves five months early after row with governors about teaching hours Academies headteacher leaves five months early after row with governors about teaching hours

A SCHOOL has been left to foot the bill for two headteacehrs after its governing body allegedly forced an outgoing head to leave early on full pay.

Dr Rory Fox, who took over at the troubled Basildon Academies in September 2011, helped increase GCSE exam results in just one year from 33 per cent to 45 per cent and turned round behaviour of unruly pupils.

Last month Dr Fox shockingly handed in his resignation over a disagreement over teaching hours between the sponsor and chairman of governors Les Livermore- just after a glowing Ofsted report which praised the leadership techniques of Dr Fox.

He was due to stay until April but staff were told in an email last night that Dr Fox had left and a new interim principal would be taking over from November 26.

It is rumoured he was forced out by the governing body and is on "gardening leave", where he will receive full pay until April.

Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon, has called the situation “beyond belief” and warned the school cannot be put in this position again.

He said: “I was very disappointed to hear the news that Dr Fox had quit but to hear that he has left so swiftly is just awful. The whole situation is beyond belief to be frank.

"Dr Fox was such an inspirational headteacher leave when he was in the middle of doing such a good job is terrible.

“I don’t know what has gone on recently between the headteacher and the governors but it is not going to be good for the children to lose their headteacher like this.

“Just when we thought the school was on the up this just puts it back into a place of worry. It doesn’t look good for the governing body to lose a second headteacher in two years and this cannot be allowed to happen again.

“I think the governing body has got to look at itself and see what is going wrong. I am worried for the future of the school, it is in a fragile state now.

“It is also a great shame that so much money will be used to pay principals when it should have been used for schoolchildren.”

As of Tuesday Dr Fox’s mobile phone had been cut off and and he was not seen around school for most of this week- the Echo revealed on Tuesday how Dr Fox had been banned from speaking to the press.

Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, said: “This was a decision for the governors and it is their responsibility to honour Dr Fox’s contract. It is disappointing news.”

Stephen Castle, councillor with responsibility for education and lifelong learning added: “The internal organisation of an academy is a matter for the governors and sponsor.

“However Essex County Council is confident that the Basildon Academies will be successful in their search for a new headteacher and hope that this position is filled in the near future with minimum disruption to pupils and teaching staff."

Mr Livermore was not available for comment at the time of going to press.

Comments(35)

Eric Whim says...
2:21pm Sat 17 Nov 12

two headteacehrs


headteachers

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Olivia2847 says...
2:21pm Sat 17 Nov 12

How can Steohen Castle say that basically nothing to do with him? Responsible for education and lifelong learning and therefore should be involved. Why was Dr Fox 'on site', when the gossip was that he was escorted from the premises? No comment for any PTA or parent speaking individually, no comment from any student - the most important player in this tawdry affair? Les Livermore - what is his pedigree as a Governor - an estate agent? Dr Fox, get a good solicitor, your Union or the GTC to publish the facts from your perspective in a statement - this is not gagging but your right as an individual!!

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spectator says...
2:26pm Sat 17 Nov 12

Prediction: The governors don't want the Academies to be too much of a success so that the role goes down, one site can be closed and sold off by the sponsor for development - part of the "regeneration" of Pitsea

Report this post »

spectator says...
2:26pm Sat 17 Nov 12

Prediction: The governors don't want the Academies to be too much of a success so that the role goes down, one site can be closed and sold off by the sponsor for development - part of the "regeneration" of Pitsea

Report this post »

spectator says...
2:26pm Sat 17 Nov 12

Prediction: The governors don't want the Academies to be too much of a success so that the role goes down, one site can be closed and sold off by the sponsor for development - part of the "regeneration" of Pitsea

Report this post »

Eric Whim says...
3:01pm Sat 17 Nov 12

can he nip over to the Echo offices while he's on his 'gardening leave' and do a bit of volunteer proofreading and spellchecking just to keep his hand in.

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kes_65 says...
3:14pm Sat 17 Nov 12

It's a shame that the school governors don't seem to understand that they are supposed to be working for the good of the Academies. Dr Fox has turned the school around in the time he has been there.
Yes it was difficult at first with all the new rules and the strict no tolerance stance, but his methods have got results. He was also fair, in that pupils were given questionnaires to fill in stating their views to changes and he appeared to take these views into consideration.
Hopefully, the Academies will continue to build on its success.

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Olivia2847 says...
3:26pm Sat 17 Nov 12

Eric Whim wrote:
can he nip over to the Echo offices while he's on his 'gardening leave' and do a bit of volunteer proofreading and spellchecking just to keep his hand in.
Very good, unfortunately he will find most of his old students their on work experience by the looks on things ....

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Olivia2847 says...
3:27pm Sat 17 Nov 12

Olivia2847 wrote:
Eric Whim wrote:
can he nip over to the Echo offices while he's on his 'gardening leave' and do a bit of volunteer proofreading and spellchecking just to keep his hand in.
Very good, unfortunately he will find most of his old students their on work experience by the looks on things ....
Find the deliberate mistake 6/10 - see me!

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Olivia2847 says...
3:27pm Sat 17 Nov 12

spectator wrote:
Prediction: The governors don't want the Academies to be too much of a success so that the role goes down, one site can be closed and sold off by the sponsor for development - part of the "regeneration" of Pitsea
I think the three of you have made your point!

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Olivia2847 says...
3:28pm Sat 17 Nov 12

kes_65 wrote:
It's a shame that the school governors don't seem to understand that they are supposed to be working for the good of the Academies. Dr Fox has turned the school around in the time he has been there.
Yes it was difficult at first with all the new rules and the strict no tolerance stance, but his methods have got results. He was also fair, in that pupils were given questionnaires to fill in stating their views to changes and he appeared to take these views into consideration.
Hopefully, the Academies will continue to build on its success.
Ken - speaking as a?

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Discouraged says...
5:58pm Sat 17 Nov 12

That's six months pay WE will have to pay. The governors should accept responsibility.

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G8tilly says...
6:04pm Sat 17 Nov 12

I've had enough of this school now. Fair play to the echo, they've tried but people are not listening.
Rubbish school since opening, made much better by Dr Fox, now shut. One constant- governance. Get your kids out, they will only make it worse. Shut both schools and start again. It is an embarrassment now to the people of Basildon, and the education department. Why can the only thing in that school that cannot change be the governance. It's a disgrace.

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kes_65 says...
6:45pm Sat 17 Nov 12

Olivia2847 wrote:
kes_65 wrote:
It's a shame that the school governors don't seem to understand that they are supposed to be working for the good of the Academies. Dr Fox has turned the school around in the time he has been there.
Yes it was difficult at first with all the new rules and the strict no tolerance stance, but his methods have got results. He was also fair, in that pupils were given questionnaires to fill in stating their views to changes and he appeared to take these views into consideration.
Hopefully, the Academies will continue to build on its success.
Ken - speaking as a?
Speaking as a parent who has had children in the school for the last 11 years. Which means I have watched the school (Chalvedon) go through the change from Comprehensive to Federation to Academy.

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Olivia2847 says...
7:08pm Sat 17 Nov 12

So Ken, why are you able to speak out, or mention - what really happened please?

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roddycam says...
10:08pm Sat 17 Nov 12

Olivia2847 wrote:
Eric Whim wrote:
can he nip over to the Echo offices while he's on his 'gardening leave' and do a bit of volunteer proofreading and spellchecking just to keep his hand in.
Very good, unfortunately he will find most of his old students their on work experience by the looks on things ....
"there" not "their"

Report this post »

Olivia2847 says...
5:12am Sun 18 Nov 12

roddycam wrote:
Olivia2847 wrote:
Eric Whim wrote:
can he nip over to the Echo offices while he's on his 'gardening leave' and do a bit of volunteer proofreading and spellchecking just to keep his hand in.
Very good, unfortunately he will find most of his old students their on work experience by the looks on things ....
"there" not "their"
Whateva .....

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caroljb says...
11:19am Sun 18 Nov 12

Why can't the Echo investigate these power crazy governors? Especially this Les Livermore. The governors have got rid of Mr Oddy, Mr Roach and now Dr Fox.
I heard years ago the sponsor wanted to sell the chalvedon land for housing. Is the ulterior motive??

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John T Pharro says...
2:11pm Sun 18 Nov 12

spectator wrote:
Prediction: The governors don't want the Academies to be too much of a success so that the role goes down, one site can be closed and sold off by the sponsor for development - part of the "regeneration" of Pitsea
So your saying the Governors deliberately voted to make this an Academy so that it could fail and be sold off? You do realise it is Governors at a school that decided whether a school should be an Academy or not?

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William S says...
3:33pm Sun 18 Nov 12

The reality is the major issue is teaching & learning for the children, not if an academy or not. An academy should just be a tool to improve T&L, if appropriate - not all schools need to be an academy.
If this is so - it appears Dr Fox was doing very good job in the circumstance - Governors need to be brought in line in this case.!!

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caroljb says...
3:39pm Sun 18 Nov 12

John T Pharro wrote:
spectator wrote:
Prediction: The governors don't want the Academies to be too much of a success so that the role goes down, one site can be closed and sold off by the sponsor for development - part of the "regeneration" of Pitsea
So your saying the Governors deliberately voted to make this an Academy so that it could fail and be sold off? You do realise it is Governors at a school that decided whether a school should be an Academy or not?
Yes. when parents were asked many years ago "do you want the 2 schools merged into a federation?" the overwhelming answer was NO.
All the teachers voted no. But it went ahead. The fact the Chalvedon site will eventually be sold for housing has been talked about since the federation of Barstable & Chalvedon.
Dr Fox was making a difference, NOT what the governors had predicted, so the governors made it impossible for him to stay, he left, just like the other 2 heads before him.

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Eric Whim says...
3:54pm Sun 18 Nov 12

caroljb wrote:
John T Pharro wrote:
spectator wrote:
Prediction: The governors don't want the Academies to be too much of a success so that the role goes down, one site can be closed and sold off by the sponsor for development - part of the "regeneration" of Pitsea
So your saying the Governors deliberately voted to make this an Academy so that it could fail and be sold off? You do realise it is Governors at a school that decided whether a school should be an Academy or not?
Yes. when parents were asked many years ago "do you want the 2 schools merged into a federation?" the overwhelming answer was NO.
All the teachers voted no. But it went ahead. The fact the Chalvedon site will eventually be sold for housing has been talked about since the federation of Barstable & Chalvedon.
Dr Fox was making a difference, NOT what the governors had predicted, so the governors made it impossible for him to stay, he left, just like the other 2 heads before him.
even after all that spending and building that's still going on at the Chaveldon site?


Seems like a lot of money to spend and effort to put in just to flog it all off for housing development.

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caroljb says...
6:07pm Sun 18 Nov 12

the Echo should interview the governors and discover the truth about whats going on!

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petela776 says...
7:11pm Sun 18 Nov 12

This is a really concerning situation - the headteacher is turning around the schools. OFSTED praise him and the direction he is taking the school and the increased exam results would also suggest that things are improving.

However it seems that as soon as he disagrees with the governors and sponsor, they make his job impossible to do so that he has to resign. Then they escort him off site like he has committed a crime, taking away all his equipment and forbid him to communicate with staff or students.

This is a very strange way to run a school!

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perini says...
9:13am Mon 19 Nov 12

roddycam wrote:
Olivia2847 wrote:
Eric Whim wrote: can he nip over to the Echo offices while he's on his 'gardening leave' and do a bit of volunteer proofreading and spellchecking just to keep his hand in.
Very good, unfortunately he will find most of his old students their on work experience by the looks on things ....
"there" not "their"
Actually it is they're as in they are on work experience...

Report this post »

John T Pharro says...
9:25am Mon 19 Nov 12

caroljb wrote:
John T Pharro wrote:
spectator wrote:
Prediction: The governors don't want the Academies to be too much of a success so that the role goes down, one site can be closed and sold off by the sponsor for development - part of the "regeneration" of Pitsea
So your saying the Governors deliberately voted to make this an Academy so that it could fail and be sold off? You do realise it is Governors at a school that decided whether a school should be an Academy or not?
Yes. when parents were asked many years ago "do you want the 2 schools merged into a federation?" the overwhelming answer was NO.
All the teachers voted no. But it went ahead. The fact the Chalvedon site will eventually be sold for housing has been talked about since the federation of Barstable & Chalvedon.
Dr Fox was making a difference, NOT what the governors had predicted, so the governors made it impossible for him to stay, he left, just like the other 2 heads before him.
Although I can see the real losers (as always) is the pupils, why do you think the Governors wanted to do this? There should be no financial gain for the Governors so what motivated them to persue this course?

Report this post »

spectator says...
11:09am Mon 19 Nov 12

Olivia2847 wrote:
spectator wrote:
Prediction: The governors don't want the Academies to be too much of a success so that the role goes down, one site can be closed and sold off by the sponsor for development - part of the "regeneration" of Pitsea
I think the three of you have made your point!
Bit heavy handed on the submit button, Olivia!

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spectator says...
11:22am Mon 19 Nov 12

perini wrote:
roddycam wrote:
Olivia2847 wrote:
Eric Whim wrote: can he nip over to the Echo offices while he's on his 'gardening leave' and do a bit of volunteer proofreading and spellchecking just to keep his hand in.
Very good, unfortunately he will find most of his old students their on work experience by the looks on things ....
"there" not "their"
Actually it is they're as in they are on work experience...
The sponsor and cronies have the majority on the governing body of sponsored academies and in the case of BasAcs, the Chair of Governors is also in his pay. The sponsor virtually "owns" the school despite not coughing up with the money (often the case with academie
s) Maybe Martin Finegold is also a developer.

Report this post »

Olivia2847 says...
2:01pm Mon 19 Nov 12

spectator wrote:
perini wrote:
roddycam wrote:
Olivia2847 wrote:
Eric Whim wrote: can he nip over to the Echo offices while he's on his 'gardening leave' and do a bit of volunteer proofreading and spellchecking just to keep his hand in.
Very good, unfortunately he will find most of his old students their on work experience by the looks on things ....
"there" not "their"
Actually it is they're as in they are on work experience...
The sponsor and cronies have the majority on the governing body of sponsored academies and in the case of BasAcs, the Chair of Governors is also in his pay. The sponsor virtually "owns" the school despite not coughing up with the money (often the case with academie
s) Maybe Martin Finegold is also a developer.
But there actions have to sanctioned DES ......

Report this post »

Becks2508 says...
1:28pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Well at least via the Echo Parents actually know what is going on! The communication from the school to parents is terrible, they should inform parents 1st before going to press but throughout all of this that has not happened. I think its disgusting the Governing Body and Sponsor are supposed to support the Headteacher and this case it has clearly not happened. It is the children that suffer and that is was the Governors and Sponsor need to think about.

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G8tilly says...
9:05pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Get them all out. Teaching is rubbish, school is rubbish.

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spectator says...
9:22pm Wed 21 Nov 12

So the buildings are not fit for purpose as the Academies have reverted to a "normal" system of running a school, not the" new vision" of running it in smaller schools within a school. We said at the planning stage that the system they proposed wouldn't work, but the head and governors went blithely on thinking they knew better than the people who have the job of teaching the children and organising the day to day running. Alan Roach, the sponsor and the Governors were proved wrong from day one, but it wasn't through want of trying by the staff. Les Livermore says the "heart spaces" are being used- well,that's a porky pie - they are surplus to requirements at the moment. There's nothing in them 'cept fresh air!


Nothing in them.

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daninorth says...
10:38am Mon 26 Nov 12

I wonder if Mr Finegold knows what's going on within this school,or if he even knows where it is ! I would love to hear what he thinks.
Dr Fox policies were good but staff seemed to use these to exstream, my child sent to isolation as her pen had run out of ink, also the school added new rules,one was a pencil case rule,children were placed into isolation for improvising(using other bags) in a deprived area this is just barbaric!

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spectator says...
6:50pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Er, we all had to have spare pens and pencils back in the day! None of the rules are difficult to follow ie. correct uniform, enough of the right equipment, respect for everyone, including the staff! As for it being a deprived area, I bet most of these kids have: mobile phones, dvd players, cd players, large tellies (more than one per home), the latest trainers and bags, money for Red Bull and other expensive sports drinks to get them through the day etc. etc., but not a quid for a pencil case. Hmmm!, it ain't money they're deprived of - it's parents with sense in most of these cases.

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daninorth says...
8:46pm Mon 3 Dec 12

No not at all, I remember the school had spares! They certainly didn't send us into isolation for ink running out! & some kids don't have decent parents providing them with all aquipment so these children are trying to stick to the ever changing rules but still being punished? I don't think that's right at all, then being told black shoes are not black,but a teacher then told the child after she asked for his help that he was 'colour blind' so couldn't help! This is unacceptable behaviour by staff that were in a possition of trust but were bullies ..They wouldnt even allow her her lunch! I could go on, I'm just glad she's one of the lucky ones who got out as she was suicidal,they have a duty of care but do not adhere to that as they know we can't get any help

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