Nuhope at Marple Hall School

[Dave]

Skimming back through this thread, it's hard to tell what the majority view is on NUHOPE, although as someone pointed out at an early stage, those in favour often (but not always) seem to be posters whose children are no longer at MHS.  So maybe the jury's out.  But the Chair of Governors letter, first posted by hollins, is revealing (albeit unintentionally, probably) in seeming to link the head's resignation with NUHOPE. Here it is again:  http://www.marplehall.stockport.sch.uk/fileuploads/File/Parent%20Zone/Recent%20letters%20home/March%202013/ShanAlexander_MAR2013%20pdf%20-%20Adobe%20Acrobat%20Pro.pdf

So it could be that Dr Hegan has resigned because of opposition to her scheme.  We'll know once the new head is appointed.   If at that point NUHOPE carries on, then we shall need to look for another reason for Dr Hegan's departure.  But if (as I suspect) NUHOPE becomes OLDHAT, then we can all work out why Dr Hegan left. 

[simonesaffron]

My understanding of the situation now is that although the good Doctor is technically on the payroll until September 2013, she will gradually be phased out until then. Again this is mainly to do with Nuhope, over which the school is divided and in relation to which her continuing presence is highly representative of the regime.

Recruiting the right replacement in time will be problematic because of; timing of the Doctors resignation, recruitment protocols and the sometimes complicated/lengthy notice periods required in Education.

All Saints Primary School is still without a permanent HeadTeacher and they are going into their second set of interviews this week without any guarantee of a making an appointment.

The selection Panel at MH will be determined to make the right appointment this time as opposed to the quick one - at least for the sake of our children that is what we would hope. There will be many future issues for the new Head to tackle, two of them being ...life after Nuhope and the future 6th form plan. Of course there is always the possibility that an outstanding and available candidate will present at first search (prayers will be said for this)  but in the event/likelihood  that this doesn't happen and to prevent the school going into drift a plan 'b' can be considered and adopted. This would mean that in the meantime an acting Head can be put in place he/she can be found from many sources and it seems that this may be the preferred 2013/14 option. Favourite candidate at the time of writing is an in post Deputy Head who by many accounts is and always has been quietly opposed to Huhope. Intriguing eh ?     

[Dave]

Got it in one!    And where whizzy transatlantic schemes like NUHOPE are taken seriously.......     

[The Giffer]

She is taking up a senior position with a charity that actually teaches, Teachers how to teach.

Sounds like Teach First.  See http://www.teachfirst.org.uk/TFHome/

Presumably a role where she can be stategic and not have to socialise with Children eh Dave ?

[elpram]

I don't think the pupils are sorry to see Dr Hegan leave.  I hear that she has been very distant and unapproachable. Not hands on at all!

That's what happens when you have a "doctor" as head 

[Dave]

She is taking up a senior position with a charity that actually teaches, Teachers how to teach.

Sounds like Teach First.  See http://www.teachfirst.org.uk/TFHome/

[thebigshed]

I believe that the principle behind NUHOPE is a good one but perhaps the zero tolerance approach to its implementation is the problem.  I don't think the pupils are sorry to see Dr Hegan leave.  I hear that she has been very distant and unapproachable. Not hands on at all!

[simonesaffron]

The Good Doctor is going out of Headship altogether.

She is taking up a senior position with a charity that actually teaches, Teachers how to teach. What's that old adage; People that can do, do.  People that can't  do, teach and people that can't do or teach, teach Teachers.

I've messed that up I know. Anyway that's where she's off to somewhere in Yorkshire I think. I only hope that she doesn't start preaching her "NOHOPE" policy through the Teaching profession but perhaps even she is a liittle dillusioned by its effect now.     

[Dave]

It seems highly unlikely - after all, why would she?  It's hardly a promotion, is it. 

[Harry]

My son who is at MHS says that Dr Hegan has got the head's job at Werneth. Rumour?

Incorrect rumour. There is no truth in this whatsoever.

[thebigshed]

My son who is at MHS says that Dr Hegan has got the head's job at Werneth. Rumour?

[Dave]

The most interesting and revealing bit in that letter from the Chair of Governors at MHS is the bit that hollins left out!  I wonder why the Chair of Governors felt it was necessary, in a letter announcing the resignation of the Head, to include a testimonial from a parent singing the praises of NUHOPE?  It implies that NUHOPE has something to do with her resignation. 

[hollins]

From the Marple Hall Website (see http://www.marplehall.stockport.sch.uk/fileuploads/File/Parent%20Zone/Recent%20letters%20home/March%202013/ShanAlexander_MAR2013%20pdf%20-%20Adobe%20Acrobat%20Pro.pdf)

I am writing to inform you that Dr R Hegan will be relinquishing her position as
Headteacher of Marple Hall School from September 2013. Under her leadership the
school is much improved. In the past three years the progress and attainment of all
learners has increased. Dr Hegan has forged strong leadership teams at all levels with
dedicated teaching and non-teaching colleagues who are committed to ensure that your
child continues to receive the very best education.
............ Some blurb about NUHOPE removed ............
Although we are sorry to see Dr Hegan leave, we understand her reason for leaving and
wish her the very best in her future endeavours. We are very appreciative of her
commitment and energy that she has brought to our school and she will continue to
serve the school with dedication and focus for the remainder of the school year. The
recruitment process for a new headteacher will commence immediately and we intend
to appoint shortly after the Easter holiday.

[wheels]

You make a good point Simone, really do get worked up about general banter.

[simonesaffron]

Bowden, don't be so sensitive. Did I get upset when you said that I was; "below the belt", " pathetic", "infantile" of course I didn't. I knew that you were only expressing yourself in your own way. By the way if you were in Nuhope you'd be in detention for saying those things and if you were in 1960's Nuhope which they are planning on bringing back at MH next year you would have had to take a beating.

As we are on the subject of inference, does the perception of it belong to the donor or the recipient ? 

It would be most helpful if people would respond to what they should have actually read instead of what they think they have read. I didn't call anybody a "fascist" nor was I ..."throwing the word about". What I actually said was quite deliberately about the phrase "on task" and that it has its origins in fascism - which it does, I looked it up in an "origin of word book" - sad I know. Just because somebody used a phrase that has etymological origins in fascism doesn't mean I think that they are one.

If you used a word that had etymological origins in say latin (which is virtually every other one in the English language) I wouldn't conclude from that, that you were the Pope.

Anyway, I've run out of Chablis so I'm off out. Apparently, according to Dave & Tricky  there is an Iron Maiden buying everybody drink in Stockport so I'm off to find her.