Poisonous petition

FLAK . . . the petition has called for head teacher Gilly McMullen to resign

ANGRY teachers have hit back at an “unfounded” and “poisonous” petition demanding education improvements at Grange School.

And they have been backed by the vast majority of readers — including pupils — who have commented on the Chronicle website.

A Facebook site has also been set up supporting the school.

The Chronicle has had a huge response after more than 600 parents were said to have signed a petition criticising standards and results at the Rochdale Road secondary

It also called for the head teacher, senior management team and governors to be held accountable or resign.

The petition was started by the Grange School Parents’ Forum whose members would not comment individually. They include former pupils and local activist Dara Miah, who previously campaigned against the decision to replace Grange with an academy this September.

Grange is in one of the country’s most deprived wards. The majority of pupils do not speak English as their first language. Last year, 27 per cent achieved five A* to C grades, including English and maths, below the Government’s 30 per cent target.

An anonymous comment by staff states: “We feel disgusted and horrified by this blatant piece of political chicanery.

“The staff work as a team with one aim clearly in mind: the constant raising of standards to raise the attainment of pupil so that they have the best advantage possible in their futures.

“The record of this school in unimpeachable in this regard. This criticism is not only unfounded and unnecessary but, far worse still, it undermines the authority and purpose of the staff.

“Undermining our pupils’ faith, confidence and enthusiasm in our school is nothing less than a disgrace.

“We wish to know who the authors of this plot are so we may judge their true motives and have the opportunity to answer these poisonous allegations.”

Other comments on the Chronicle website claim people were asked to sign the petition without knowing what it was about. There are also allegations of a plot against head teacher Gilly McMullen, bullying and “petty village politics”.

One pupil said: “Grange is an absolutely fabulous school and Ofsted recognises it as outstanding.”

Another added: “Grange has given me excellent opportunities to achieve the best education that they can possibly provide. I strongly disagree with the negative comments parents are making.”


Governors behind head teacher

Governors at Grange have thrown their support behind head teacher Gilly McMullen.

They are not aware of the Grange School Parents Forum and say in a statement: “Gilly McMullen operates an open-door policy and governors are surprised that members of the forum have not approached the school regarding the issues raised. At the annual review day in February, not one parent approached the head teacher and the event was attended by 92 per cent of parents or carers.”

The statement points out that pupils gaining five A* to C grades (excluding English and maths) in their GCSEs or equivalent qualifications has jumped from 48 per cent in 2004 to 81 per cent last year.

The school’s value added score, which measurers pupils’ progress, is one of the highest in the borough and the number of pupils going on to college has increased. The statement adds: “We are confident that the curriculum at Grange is broad and balanced and, most importantly, appropriate for the pupils it serves.

“Grange offers different subjects, both academic and vocational, just like other schools nationally.

“We believe that all gifts and talents of our pupils should be celebrated, whatever subject or skill, and none should be discounted or ignored.”