Bullying claims as 16 staff face chop

AROUND 16 staff at Counthill School are facing redundancy amid allegations of low morale and bullying.

And a human resources manager from Oldham Council has been seconded to spend time at the school which has been given an official notice to improve by the education watchdog Ofsted.

She is supporting “intensive short-term work on staffing” during restructuring.

Staff say they are too scared to speak out about changes which include redundancies, suspensions and people placed on competency procedures.

They allege low morale and bullying by interim head teacher David Lack, an associate with Navigate Group which provides education leaders.

But Councillor Kay Knox, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said the package of measures to turn around Counthill was a “very positive story”. And she added: “There have been no incidences of bullying or harassment.”

As reported in the Chronicle, a recent Ofsted inspection found that Counthill must significantly improve pupils’ achievements, standards and education. It was previously placed in special measures in November, 2004. It will be merged with Breeze Hill in a new academy next year. Staff are reported to have been suspended, undergoing competency checks, have left, or are on sick leave.

Councillor Knox said measures to achieve immediate improvements had been put in place to tackle last year’s poor GCSE results and the Ofsted report.

She said that David Lack had an outstanding track record and was providing excellent leadership.

She added: “The restructuring of the school is being done in phases, so that disruption to pupils can be kept to a minimum. Unfortunately this has resulted in approximately 16 staff being at risk of redundancy.

“In addition, a small number of staff have left through natural turnover, and a very small minority of staff have been part of capability and disciplinary procedures.

“There have been no incidences of bullying or harassment.

“When schools come under this kind of scrutiny, it is all too easy to place a negative connotation on change. What is taking place at Counthill is a very positive story.”

Councillor David Jones, Labour’s spokesman for children, young people and families, said that he had heard rumours of bullying, but had not been told anything first-hand.

Regional officials from the NUT and ATL teaching unions, who are dealing with the school, declined to comment as did head Mr Lack.