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Kent Messenger
"Dismissed" Teacher Wants Public Enquiry
Discussion Banned at County Council Meeting
The question of the "dismissal" of Miss Alice
Wright, schoolmistress, of Ash, Sevenoaks, which was recently
debated at a meeting of the Kent Education Committee, was again
raised when the County Council met at Maidstone on Wednesday. On
the report of the Education Committee, moved by Alderman W.
Rolfe Nottidge (Tonbridge). The Rev. J.W. Wilkinson (Erith)
called attention to the absence of any mention of the case of
Miss Wright in the report and he wanted to know if he could
raise it? The Chairman, Alderman Edward Hardy, replied that
those would be against Standing Orders, but Mr, Wilkinson could
put in a written question and would receive a written answer.
Mr. Wilkinson said the trouble about that was that after he had
got the answer he could not discuss the matter any more. The
Chairman: That’s all right. Mr. Wilkinson: All wrong. The
subject was not referred to again.
MISS WRIGHT’S APPEAL
In a letter to the "Kent Messenger" Miss Wright
states:
I went before the Disciplinary Committee on April 30th.
I was allowed to take a lawyer, who pleaded for a full public
enquiry. This was not granted. I also had a parent present, but
she was not questioned. The only part assigned me was answering
questions. Mr. Morris and Lord Northbourne made inaccurate
statements which I did not then challenge, as I hoped for an
enquiry. The decision not to hold an enquiry was decided on |
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after I had been sent out of the room.
Mr. Hardy, the Chairman, said he had read a mass of writing
concerning me. Whatever complaints have been written concerning
me , I have never been shown them, neither has anything been
proved. I should be allowed to read the complaints and bring
witnesses to prove my case. Lord Northbourne said that
"teachers" had left my school with "nervous
breakdowns." This is a serious statement to make, and I
should be given an opportunity to ask Lord Northbourne to prove
it against me. Also it was stated that I have had five
assistants in five years, the number is three and they were
"supplies." Since my assistant, who spent 19 years in
the school, was moved for no cause whatever, I have had no
proper help – just "supplies" who take no interest
in the welfare of the children. May I ask you to use your
influence to get the K.E.C. to grant me an enquiry where I may
bring witnesses to prove my statements? I want to be aloud to
face those people who have written the complaints Mr. Hardy had
before him. Let him come to Ash and bring his Sub-Committee. The
parents know that I have spent all my life working for their
children. They have been disgusted with the teachers sent me
since my good assistant was "transferred". They know
how I have had to struggle with 74 children on the roll and one
poor assistant to teach a few of the younger ones.
For seven years I have slaved from 8.30a.m. till 4.30p.m. –
the books to mark in the evening.
I am still waiting for a fair hearing, will you help to grant
it?
ALICE M. T. WRIGHT.
School House, Ash, Sevenoaks. |