Time for answers

Jul 22 2008 by Andrew Baldwin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

VISIT the website of All Saints Catholic College and you will find this statement:

“Our headteachers, Mary H Nixon and Liam Harron appointed in a new collaborative partnership in September 2004 have, on the behalf of the governors, shaped a new vision and direction for the college in the 21st century, striving to ensure outstanding practice and provision across college.”

Today we reveal that the rather fulsome statement has been overtaken by events and that Miss Nixon and Mr Harron have been told not to come back to the school until they hear otherwise.

It’s an uncertain situation for them, a concerning time for parents – and a complete mystery to all but a select few.

Quite simply, no-one will say why the pair have been suspended, apart from revealing there will be a preliminary review of some concerns raised about issues at the college.

Three questions arise: What is a “preliminary” review? What are the concerns? Who raised them?

We can only speculate, given the lack of precise information.

All Saints, it will be remembered, was one of seven schools in Kirklees which Schools Secretary Ed Balls threatened with closure unless academic standards were raised.

That’s one clue and about the only one we have to go on at the moment.

Given that, it is impossible for us to judge the rights and wrongs of the case against Miss Nixon and Mr Harron.

More clarity is needed than the wishy-washy statement offered by Kirklees Council.

This is an issue which has to be resolved quickly for the sake of its staff and students.