Anonymous complaint puts school in spotlight

“"if a person has a complaint - fair enough - do the PROFESSIONAL thing, follow procedures - and don't get the press involved". It would seem that the person who wrote this does not fully understand the implications that following correct procedures are likely to have on a teacher's career. I can sympathise with whoever wrote to the paper, but it is not fair to blame the headteacher for whatever is going wrong at Oxted school.”

“I can't agree with the previous 3 comments. I for one am relieved to hear that staff at the school still care enough to make such a move. The fact that they haven't gone to the governors but directly to Ofsted, in itself indicates a sense of desperation which no doubt battynatty is referring too. Like fair-dude I have a child at the school, and all I can say is they must speak to a very limited number of parents if they only hear good things. I have been very concious of how the standards at this once excellent school have slipped and are still slipping. For Oxted to have only scrapped 'satisfactory' across the board on there last Ofsted report (Mar 2011) was shocking. Action must be taken and if a letter such as this gets it done - then good for the author I say.”

“I think it is obvious 'battynatty' is the anonymous author of the complaint - how else would they know 'staff are desperate for support....' etc. I am a parent of two children at the school - and I have been very happy with their education, and find Mr Nelson's leadership inspiring. I only every hear parents saying positive things about both him and the school. To publish the article was to play into the hands of someone who should know better - let them complain, but don't support them by drawing attention to their actions - not before the school has had a chance both to know, and address whatever the allegations are - to do things the way the Mirror has is unfair to the school, staff and parents - the point about the fact that we are entering into the examination period has been made - the school does not need this publicity, everything about it is unfair, cruel, and totally unpleasant and unnecessary”

“I agree with a previous comment - it seems to me that the Surrey Mirror as acted as both judge and jury in this situation - to publish the fact that a member of staff has lodged a complaint - which has yet to be investigated, and anonymously - and also without making the school aware of the nature of the complaint, is unfair in the extreme - how can the school respond in such a situation, without knowing the nature of the complaint? The Mirror appears to have a copy of the letter - the school does not...there are established procedures for situations like this, which have clearly been by-passed - how any member of staff truly have the best interests of the school at heart (which is surely what we all want) - then to act in this manner is surely giving the school negative publicity before any inquiry has taken place - the Mirror, is therefore, guilty of listening to an anonymous person, and acting against the best interests of all concerned with the school.....if a person has a complaint - fair enough - do the PROFESSIONAL thing, follow procedures - and don't get the press involved....the person/people who wrote the letter are a disgrace to the profession, and the Mirror is a disgrace to the news industry..........”

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“This is beyond belief! so anyone, under the cloak of anonymity, can cast aspersions upon anyone they wish to, in education, and the press will publicize the fact that a complaint has been lodged - before an investigation has taken place? So the press, looking for an eye-grabbing headline, publishes a 'non-story', the sell more papers - and risks damaging the standing of a very important community school - on the basis as a complaint, the author of which, will not put their name to.....and all this is happening just before examinations commence! well done, Surrey Mirror, what a great way to give Oxted pupils confidence in their staff and school - such reporting is detrimental to the school and the morale of pupils - perhaps the paper could have noted that last years' Ofsted parent questionnaire wound that 96% of parents strongly or strongly agreed that the school was well-lead - and the exact same figure reported their child's experience of school to be a happy one.....this sort of reporting reminds of of the reasons I do not EVER buy a local paper....I would not have read the article had it not been online......”

“When is Ofsted actually going to re-inspect this school. It has dramatically declined since Mr Nelson has been the head teacher. Both the Head and Chair of Governors know full well there are issues at the school and yet both are in denial. Staff are desperate for support from the "leadership team" but receive none, things must have been very bad for them to have written to Ofsted. Do the management think they can manipulate results and sweep problems under the carpet hoping they will go away?”