Mummy21 Report post Posted April 21, 2006 OMG I am soooo shocked at this........ I am really new so please forgive my lateness in this thread......... I have just spent 45mins catching up with all the comings and goings and I am shocked that I got to 6 months later and the whole thing is still unresolved.... Fingers Crossed that will be any day now......... oh and huge respect to you for NOT backing down........ an example to us all me thinks. Joanne xxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted April 21, 2006 Hi Joanne, Thank you <'> . I've really stuck to my guns on this. Alex had a really bad time at the school when he was there. The calls came nearly a year after he left the school (after a fight to get him out ). I couldn't let them get away with false accusations and lies. If they got away with it this time, they could try it again. Thankfully, I have lies in writing which nobody can deny . Annie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mummy21 Report post Posted April 22, 2006 I can't believe they were bothered enough to start all this when he was no longer at the school....... obviously have no lives.......... and are extremely thick, lying and then putting it in writing (as my son would say Doh!!!) Joanne xxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted April 22, 2006 Hi Joanne, Well, the post has just arrived and still no letter. The Director of Education, Youth and Leisure wrote in his last letter to me that he would reply this past week. Unless I receive anything on Monday, I'll be sending another letter. Everything in my complaint from the start has been clear cut, as you say, 6 months and it is still not resolved is ridiculous . I'm sure if it was something that we had done wrong they would have come down on us like a ton of bricks straight away . Annie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mummy21 Report post Posted April 22, 2006 Well, the post has just arrived and still no letter. No surprise there then I'm sure if it was something that we had done wrong they would have come down on us like a ton of bricks straight away . Exactly and the length of time that has elapsed is more than enough alone to convince anyone of your innocence........ Joanne xxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted April 22, 2006 I think they were all hoping that I'd just give up and forget about it............WRONG . It makes you wonder how many other people they've done this to. The person that made the calls is also a magistrate. She can hardly say that she doesn't know the procedure if a crime has been commited. Annie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LKS Report post Posted April 22, 2006 O.K. Why are we waiting whyyy are weee waiting Perhaps they are organising some free day passes to our local beauty spots annie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted April 22, 2006 Blimey Annie..............would,nt it be lovely if you could put this sorry saga to bed at last. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
minerva Report post Posted April 24, 2006 anything in the post yet?? (as if i dont already know!!) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puffin Report post Posted April 24, 2006 This is just getting crazier by the minute ....and to think that the whole thing could have been resolved by a simple letter of apology 6 months ago It would also be interesting to know how much this has cost the school/LEA in unproductive staff time - it must certainly be in the ? 000s - yet there's never any money when for supporting SEN Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted April 24, 2006 Well, I don't know if the postmans been yet, but I haven't received anything so far. Time to write another letter........just in case they've forgotten . xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shell Report post Posted April 27, 2006 stupid question i know but any news yet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mummy21 Report post Posted April 29, 2006 They are so obviously ignoring you............... little did they know you're like a rottweiler with lock jaw on their ankle.... Joanne xxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted April 29, 2006 Still no news. I really have to get that little reminder written and posted, so that it arrives on his desk first thing Tuesday morning Joanne - Grrrrrrr that's me Annie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted May 8, 2006 The saga continues............... I've finally received a reply this morning from the Chief Honcho of E,Y&L. Apparently ?? my complaint has been fully investigated, and his conclusions are - Police officers did investigate the incident, but as there were no witnessess to give evidence there was no case to answer The witnesses strangely disappeared off the face of the earth once everybody realised that I could prove that my son was at home - hmmmmm The Deputy Head did herself involve the police on the 24th November 2005. The incident happened on the 16th November, 2005, I received the 2 calls on the 18th November 2005 containing threats to call the police. I contacted the police several times up until the 24th January 2006, when I was told I could quote that the incident had not been reported (the policeman is ok about me naming him too) - hmmmmmmmmmmm Chief Honcho has advised the Governing Body of the school that their complaints procedure should be reviewed. I sent my original complaint to both the Head and Chair of Governors, but Chair of Governors have never responded - Oh well, 1 out of 3's a start There is not enough corroborated evidence of a serious case of misconduct having taken place by the Deputy Head . My son had left the school nearly a year before the calls were made, so to the Deputy Head we are members of the public. The Deputy Head would have had to go through old school records to find my home phone number to make threatening and serious false allegations that she didn't have witnesses for (well, she told me she did when she called me ). It's not misconduct though Head Honcho has now left it to me to try and get a written apology from the school Head. Oh der . The reason I stopped writing to him in the first place was because I wasn't getting anywhere So that's it as far as he's concerned........... For me, next stop is someone higher up the ladder Annie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted May 8, 2006 .........I,m sorry Annie I wish this could end for you, <'> ..............now as far as the school ,head honcho, and deputy head are concerned they,re a bunch of............ ***** ...........and...*****!!!!!............with a big..*******!!!!!.........on top Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ets Report post Posted May 8, 2006 annie, if i were you i'd be wanting a full copy of the chief honcho's investigation notes, for my personal records. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jb1964 Report post Posted May 8, 2006 Hi Annie, I've only just seen this thread and tried to quickly read through it and I can't believe what I've read. This is just absolutely disgraceful - hope you get some action soon. Take care, Jb Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LKS Report post Posted May 8, 2006 Annie <'> This is one serious case of a letter replying to someones questions and answering absolutely b****y nothing How skilled these people are in this art.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mel Report post Posted May 8, 2006 Im with Suze on this one Annie. <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zemanski Report post Posted May 8, 2006 (edited) This darned Deputy Head has been jolly anti-social to make such allegations. And the Police already have so many details of the case. So I'd suggest applying for an Anti-social behaviour order to stop her contacting you again. How much respect will the children and parents at the school have for a teacher with an ASBO? Especially if the story gets into the press nemo Edited May 8, 2006 by Zemanski Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oracle Report post Posted May 8, 2006 I'm with Zemanski on this one I bet the press would love this - but seriously do you think that you would have more chance of receiving an apology if you went to see a Solicitor. Defamation of character is a BIG issue and in my oopinion, for what it's worth, she really did try to do a good paint job on your son and would not let it drop - would she? I think I would be giving this serious thought. Would love to see the COG's face if they got a letter from a legal big wig Oracle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted May 8, 2006 <'> Thanks guys <'> Another little update......... I've spoken to the police again. The crime has not been reported on the 24th November or any other day . The police suggested that I write a letter asking them to put it in writing that they haven't got a record of it . Also to get a certain individual to verify WHERE they reported the incident.........my thoughts are that it must have been to MI5 'cos wherever it is, the police can't find it Annie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oracle Report post Posted May 8, 2006 Annie - get a solicitor to write the letter for you. It would be worth every penny were it me in your position. What a bunch of to***rs. Oracle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted May 8, 2006 Nemo/Oracle, If I can get this in writing off of the police I'll have a lot more options of where to go next Annie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oracle Report post Posted May 8, 2006 Better get a good supply of spinach in then Annie - this could be a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnng haul and you need to keep your strength up Oracle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted May 8, 2006 The thought of them thinking they can get away with it is keeping me going . Annie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted May 8, 2006 How skilled these people are at closing ranks !!! Keep gunning for 'em - Annie K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littlenemo Report post Posted May 8, 2006 Just out of curiosity, can you get compensation for being lied to officially by the head of EY&L? Cos if so, the spit will hit the pan, and most should land on DH's head Fight the good fight with all your might nemo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted May 8, 2006 I doubt it..........They'd all be skint by now, wouldn't they? Annie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emum Report post Posted May 8, 2006 I think that you would have problems with a defamation claim because: 1. it is slander not libel, and to succeed in an action for slander you need to prove some additional factors which on the basis of what you have posted so far would be difficult 2. there is a defence of qualified privilege, which basically protects the DH if at the time she made the call she believed the allegation against your son to be true. I think you would have a hard job succeeding against this defence, because ultimately the case would be heard by a jury and juries think DH's are more credible than parents 3. defamation actions are very expensive. There is no legal aid, and although some lawyers will take it on a no-win no fee basis, if you lose or decide not to go ahead having made the complaint, you would have to pay the school's legal costs in defending the action however far it got. As a former libel lawyer I've done a lot of these cases, and the cheapest trial I was ever involved in came out at over ?60k (for one side's costs only) and the most expensive ?1m + This was about 4 years ago so costs today would be more. You can get insurance against the risk but that costs tens of thousands of pounds. 4. Also it would be your son who had the cause of action, not you. Could he cope with the stress of all this? How would he cope with having to give evidence? However if you think that she got your number from school records and not say from looking up the number in the phone book, that is a breach of Data Protection Act and actionable. As your child is not at the school any more they should not be retaining this type of information. You can make a complaint direct to the Info Commissioner, who will investigate and can fine the school if a breach has occurred. This costs you nothing. Feel free to PM me, if you want any more info. The libel world is a very small one and I could point you in the direction of specialist solicitors who could advise you further or handle the claim on your behalf. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted May 8, 2006 (edited) Thank for that Emum We are ex-directory. I don't really want to go down the suing route. What I would like is for the school to acknowledge that the DH should not have called me, and certainly not a threatening one making false allegations. Just to put you in the picture a bit. When my son was at the school he was discriminated against and bullied by certain teachers (one, the DH). I complained to the LEA about 2 staff members, one of which was his 1:1 support, who suddenly left the school . I fought for months to get my son out of the school (involving my MP) , he didn't go back after a failed suicide attempt. IPSEA attended the final meeting that we had with them and the LEA. The IPSEA rep told me that she felt discrimination and more had taken place and was disgusted with the way they had treated my son. Since the last day my son attended the school, he has not been anywhere near the school, it is 2 different bus rides from our house. Two weeks before I received the calls, an article came out in our local community magazine. It was about Parent Partnership and how they help SEN children and their parents. In it my son said that he has never fitted into school and no teachers have ever understood him, no school or teacher names were mentioned. Personally, that is what I have always thought provoked the calls. I have known all along who was behind this. I think that I am now VERY close to proving it for once and for all. Annie xx Edited May 8, 2006 by annie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littlenemo Report post Posted May 8, 2006 However if you think that she got your number from school records and not say from looking up the number in the phone book, that is a breach of Data Protection Act and actionable. As your child is not at the school any more they should not be retaining this type of information. You can make a complaint direct to the Info Commissioner, who will investigate and can fine the school if a breach has occurred. This costs you nothing. I say let the system work FOR you for once. You have all the information they need, it's just a case of writing yet another letter , but it would turn up the heat on dear old DH one more notch Annie, thank you for letting us all vicariously live out our revenge fantasies with this thread. The last few months it's been the Rollercoaster of Doom - we all know that the DH will end up with egg on her face but it's just a question of 'from what height will it all come crashing down on her?' And your 1st prize for Righteous Persistence in the face of Overwhelming Bureaucratic Backcovering is still waiting... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted May 8, 2006 Thanks Nemo. Does my prize come in the form of an egg-cup Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phasmid Report post Posted May 8, 2006 As your child is not at the school any more they should not be retaining this type of information. I think you will find that all school records relating to a pupil must be kept on file until 7 years after their offical leaving education age (if you see what I am getting at), as would apply here or, 7 years after they actually left school. In this instance using school records to obtain privileged information is likely to be a breech of confidentiality issues. The teacher concerned would have had to go out of her way to obtain these records from an archive as Annies son is no longer a pupil that is where they should be currently stored. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mummy21 Report post Posted May 9, 2006 This is all so bl**dy frustrating, I haven't any advice only to say I am still keeping an eye on this thread incase something happens that I do know something about LOL Sending lots of support your way via good thoughts xxx Joanne xxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emum Report post Posted May 9, 2006 (edited) I think you will find that all school records relating to a pupil must be kept on file until 7 years after their offical leaving education age (if you see what I am getting at), as would apply here or, 7 years after they actually left school. In this instance using school records to obtain privileged information is likely to be a breech of confidentiality issues. The teacher concerned would have had to go out of her way to obtain these records from an archive as Annies son is no longer a pupil that is where they should be currently stored. I would still be interested to know what the Info Commissioner had to say about all this. Phasmid is correct that schools are allowed to maintain some info about former pupils - eg achievements and SEN issues so that they could for example defend a negligence action relating to inadequate educational provision in the future. That doesn't mean however they have a legal right to maintain absolutely everything about a former pupil - the new emphasis in the law is to maintain the bare minimum, and I personally can't see how the contact details of the parent of a former pupil could fall within the limits of what it is legitimate to maintain. In any case you are only allowed to use the information which you hold, for the purposes which you say you have collected it, and I would be very surprised if the school's DP entry said they wanted to collect parent's phone numbers to harrass them about issues not in fact related to their child's education. You have nothing to lose by making a call - if the Info Commissioner says she isn't interested then you are no worse off than you would have been before you made the enquiry, whereas if you do decide to go down the litigation route you will be incurring legal costs and liabilities even before you have established how good your case is. Edited May 9, 2006 by Emum Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted May 9, 2006 (edited) I've been on the the Information Commissioners Office, they have given me some great advice which I am following up. Annie xx Edited May 9, 2006 by annie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaisyProudfoot Report post Posted May 9, 2006 Hang in there Annie! Sounds like there's a lot of dirty laundry to be aired in that school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phasmid Report post Posted May 9, 2006 How does the saying go... "The rotating air movement device is about to be struck by guano!" Nicely fermented guano at that Go for 'em Annie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
