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Kentish Times 26/4/1940
ASH - DISMISSAL OF HEAD MISTRESS.
K.E.C. TO HOLD ENQUIRY.
Increased education facilities in both evacuation and
neutral areas were reported at the meeting of the Kent Education
Committee at Maidstone on Monday.
The Chairman, Mr. W.R. Nottidge, presided, supported by the Vice
Chairman, Lord Northbourne, and members from North West Kent
present were the Revs. S. Morgan and J. W. Wilkinson, Messrs.
C.A. Elgood, B.T.Ellis, G.J.Gully, F.P.Hodes, H.N.Storer, A.G.A.
Salter and E.R. Blackman.
Presenting the report of the Elementary Education
Sub-Committee, Lord Northbourne, said that education facilities
showed a steady progress. In evacuation areas the figures were
satisfactory, and on April 15th the number of children receiving
full-time instruction was 1,136, half-time 7,173, less than
half-time 467, home service and other arrangements 45.
Considerable progress had also been made in neutral areas, where
full-time attendance on January 1st was 7,524, and
was now 22,559; half-time was 11,914 in January and now 4,033;
not attending in January 379, and now 26. The number of evacuee
children in November 17,483, in January 14.606, and this month
11,498.
ASH HEAD TEACHER’S "DISMISSAL."
INQUIRY TO BE HELD.
Referring to the recent controversy at Ash, the committee
reported that the school managers there gave notice to the head
teacher on January 26th terminating her engagement on April
30th, up to which date salary would be paid, and informing her
that her services would not be required after the Easter
holidays. A letter had been received from the Parish Council
asking that the services of the head teacher be retained. The
committee had confirmed the direction given to the managers, and
recommended that their action be approved.
Lord Northbourne asked permission to withdraw the
recommendations, and moved that the matter be referred to the
Disciplinary Sub-Committee to confirm the action taken, or
to take such action as was deemed desirable. |
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Mr. Wilkinson wanted to know
whether the lady would have the opportunity of being represented
by a member of the National Union of Teachers. Lord Northbourne:
Yes if she wishes. Mr. Morgan: Something is due to this
woman’s reputation. If she is to go, let her go under a fair
sky, unless she deserves a cloudy one. At present she is under a
cloud.
The Chairman of the Disciplinary Sub-Committee would be
reported to the Education Committee.
Mr. Morgan: Will it be subject to approval or disapproval by
this committee? The Chairman: The proposal of Lord Northbourne
gives power to the Disciplinary Sub-Committee to act. Mr.
Wilkinson asked the constitution of the committee, and when the
Chairman had read out the names Mr. Morgan moved an amendment
that the enquiry should be held and the decision reached
reported to the K.E.C. for approval or disapproval. Mr.
Wilkinson, in seconding, said that he was very anxious about
dismissals, and recalled his own experience in Erith in 1911. He
had never been told the reason why he was dismissed. There was
no teacher on the committee who would understand the
difficulties of the head and the staff and the managers.
The Chairman said that Mr. Wilkinson had no right to criticise
the constitution of the committee now. It had been functioning
for years.
Mr. Hodes said that it was wrong to talk about
dismissal. The lady had reached 60, and her retention was
optional. Her length of service had been extended so that she
could get the maximum pension. Mr. B.T. Ellis said that at 60
retirement was voluntary and at 65 it was compulsory. Mr. P.L.
Wells said that he had received a mass of information from Ash,
including a letter from the lady herself, which indicated that
she had a case. After further discussion, Mr. Morgan altered his
amendment to "that the Disciplinary Sub-Committee be
authorised to hold an enquiry into the subject of the dismissal
of Miss Wright and to make a recommendation to the K.E.C."
Mr. Wilkinson seconded. The amendment was defeated, only four
voting for it, and the resolution was then carried with only two
dissentients, Messrs. Morgan and Wilkinson. |