Suspended Westfield teacher Martin Elvin sacked (From Watford Observer)
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Suspended Westfield teacher Martin Elvin sacked
9:48am Thursday 18th March 2010 in
A popular teacher suspended from his job at a Watford school for more than nine months has been sacked.
Science teacher Martin Elvin was suspended from Westfield Community Technology College, after allegedly pushing a teenage student into a door.
Furious supporters, who claim the science teacher was the victim of an injustice, held a noisy demonstration outside the school earlier in the year to demand his reinstatement.
Their protests, however, could not convince a governors’ disciplinary committee, which has decided to sack Mr Elvin for misconduct.
Hertfordshire County Council confirmed the decision yesterday, a week after the committee heard its last day of evidence on Wednesday, March 10.
Precise details of the decision have not been made public, but it is understood that several other charges were dropped.
Mr Elvin, who is not able to comment on the case, is believed to be considering an appeal.
Comments(33)
Reader (R)
says...
11:11am Thu 18 Mar 10
neighbour
says...
11:31am Thu 18 Mar 10
And just who ARE these governors? As usual, perhaps, the butcher, the baker, the candle-stick maker? What was the level of their impartiality? What are their qualifications? Who ARE they?
Oh, and I forgot. The Head was reported as being on the Judge and Jury panel with the 'governors'. Well, no hidden agenda there; no impartiality I'm sure.
And nine months this fiasco has been grinding along. Nine months? A troubled pregnancy and a sad ending.
Welcome to North Korea. Or perhaps I'm over-stating it. Perhaps something like another nail in the coffin of broken Britain?
And what is the union representing this teacher doing about it? I know it's never cut and dried, but we are all keen to know. They can't say anything though. That's the law. We all have to be kept in the dark. Wonderful.
Or perhaps Mr Elvin was guilty as charged. If he was, when are we going to hear the full story? Where is the evidence? Are we ever going to hear it? In another nine months? Nine years? Never? We are all here waiting with bated breath for the appeal.
I have no vested interest in this case, but I've always been rather keen on justice and fair play. Also, bullies are right at the top of my s list. There seems to have been quite a lot of that running through the whole sorry story.
I think that there's going to be a full post-bag of comments, so I'll let someone else get a word in.
ghosthorn
says...
12:21pm Thu 18 Mar 10
neighbour wrote:Very well said...Although I'm only going on hear say I will say that there is a very VERY strong link between one of the Schools Govs. and a family member of THE HEAD (MS AYLESBURY)
I do hope that more evidence will be made available from the Star Chamber, but I won't be holding my breath. I mean, it's all very secret, isn't it? Such information should be kept from the public, shouldn't it? Such cases should be held in camera, shouldn't they? The accused condemned by a small huddle of Machiavelllian plotters? I'll have to think about this. It's all very confusing. Or am I being paranoid? Oh well, paranoia is often a state of heightened awareness.
And just who ARE these governors? As usual, perhaps, the butcher, the baker, the candle-stick maker? What was the level of their impartiality? What are their qualifications? Who ARE they?
Oh, and I forgot. The Head was reported as being on the Judge and Jury panel with the 'governors'. Well, no hidden agenda there; no impartiality I'm sure.
And nine months this fiasco has been grinding along. Nine months? A troubled pregnancy and a sad ending.
Welcome to North Korea. Or perhaps I'm over-stating it. Perhaps something like another nail in the coffin of broken Britain?
And what is the union representing this teacher doing about it? I know it's never cut and dried, but we are all keen to know. They can't say anything though. That's the law. We all have to be kept in the dark. Wonderful.
Or perhaps Mr Elvin was guilty as charged. If he was, when are we going to hear the full story? Where is the evidence? Are we ever going to hear it? In another nine months? Nine years? Never? We are all here waiting with bated breath for the appeal.
I have no vested interest in this case, but I've always been rather keen on justice and fair play. Also, bullies are right at the top of my s list. There seems to have been quite a lot of that running through the whole sorry story.
I think that there's going to be a full post-bag of comments, so I'll let someone else get a word in.
I think this panel was hand picked by those who want Mr Elvin out....MORE PROTESTS TO FOLLOW!!!
jamesmckay
says...
4:26pm Thu 18 Mar 10
Wel will get to the bottom of this, we must get to the bottom of this.
I'm sure Mr Elvin will appeal, although if the governors hearing the appeal are anything liek the first set, what chance does he stand?
It's an absolute disgrace. Maybe Mr Elvin should try and seek help from his local MP, Claire Ward i believe.
neighbour
says...
11:29am Fri 19 Mar 10
Thanks jamesmckay. And you're right: our local MP Claire Ward's help would be most welcome, after all, that's what MPs are for, isn't it? To provide assistance to constituents in their hour of need, when all other avenues have been exhausted? To right wrongs and address injustices?
I'm glad I thought of that idea :)
http://www.claire-wa
rd.org.uk/
I shall write to her today. All she has to do is to read the Watford Observer to see what the problem is. Mind you, I'm sure she regularly reads it assiduously, so all that is probably needed now is the gentlest of nudges. She may even as we speak have the matter in hand. Time will tell.
neighbour
says...
11:36am Fri 19 Mar 10
wardc@parliament.uk.
neighbour
says...
12:42pm Fri 19 Mar 10
Hi Claire.
I write to you regarding a case of dismissal of a teacher in Watford. The case had been grinding on for nine months and appears to be a possible case of injustice and of abuse of authority.
The feedback from students, parents, staff (although apparently anonymously) and just plain busybodies like me is significant. I wonder if you could take a look. It's been covered in the Watford Observer, but in case it's passed under the famous Ward Radar, here is the latest:
http://www.watfordob
server.co.uk/news/50
68220.Suspended_West
field_teacher_sacked
/?action=success
This is not the full set of comments; there are more a plenty on other pages from previous dates.
What I found interesting about this case was the overwhelming and popular support for the teacher concerned, whereas there appeared to be no defence for the Head whatsoever - apart from a couple of tuppence worth's from myself regarding jumping to conclusions before the evidence is presented. But the big question is, where and what is the evidence that has resulted in a clearly well loved and respected teacher of fifteen years experience being sacked? This being after nine months of the case dragging along, for the beastly conduct of allegedly pushing a 'student' into a door? Allegedly.
Hearings so far have taken on Star Chamber qualities and this has clearly led to frustration, fury and extreme ill-feeling.
The teacher's suspension had resulted in rather passionate demonstrations of support of the teacher by the students of the college concerned. A demonstration in support of a teacher is rare enough in itself, and additionally poignant when teachers are leaving in droves and that the teaching of Science seems to be towards the back of the queue.
There is clearly more to this case than meets the eye.
I don't think that this one is going to lie down and die and I really think you should take a look.
Thank you in anticipation for your attention.
Yours truly etc.
watfordteacher
says...
2:59pm Fri 19 Mar 10
Seeing your article on the Watford Observer web page this morning, I feel compelled to speak out, as a current and serving member of staff at Westfield school.
On Wednesday afternoon we packed into staffroom for a staff briefing, led as usual by the Principal, Ms Emma Aylesbury.
What we were treated to was a sickening performance by her. She told us all that she was sad to tell us that the governors of the school had made a decision last Friday to dismiss Martin Elvin from his teaching post at Westfield.
Having then paused for maximum effect, she went on to tell us that only three people really knew what happened regarding the allegations against Martin, and she was one of those people.
She then said that she was begging us not to discuss or talk about the matter, in particular not to talk to people outside the school.
I have to admit that most of us simply listened to Ms Aylesbury in stunned, silent anger.
It was particularly sickening to hear this women cry crocodile tears of “sadness” over the sacking of a very long serving teacher, popular with his colleagues, pupils and parents too.
It was hypocrisy too, to refer to the governor’s decision, whilst forgetting to mention that she would no doubt have influenced their decision, of that we have no doubt. Shame on both the governors and the Principal.
What does Ms Aylesbury mean, don’t discuss it? A colleague with over a decade of commitment to Westfield pupils is sacked and we are supposed to say nothing and carry on as if it hasn’t happened?
Besides, what is Ms Aylesbury worried about us discussing? It certainly isn’t Mr Elvin, he has nothing to hide. Perhaps she has.
The atmosphere at the school is truly awful at present. Staff have been intimidated by the principal and are frightened of losing their job if they openly speak out.
As for what really happened, I am certain that it was Mr Elvin’s willingness to speak out on behalf of colleagues (in his role as a trade union representative) and his concern for the pupils that has led to his dismissal.
I for one hope that Martin Elvin appeals against this decision and is successful. We need him back.
Yours faithfully,
A Westfield Teacher
(Name withheld for fear of losing my job)
collie42
says...
4:35pm Fri 19 Mar 10
neighbour
says...
5:12pm Fri 19 Mar 10
I truly think that our MP should be contacted with a view to her getting involved in this, and if anyone feels like contacting her, then the more the merrier.
Not only does Mr Elvin suffer, but so do the staff and students.
Unbelievable. Well, no, it's not of course. It's happened and is continuing to happen. Let's all hope that there's light at the end of the tunnel.
Oh, and before I forget, has she arranged any book-burnings yet? Always good publicity for such regimes.
ghosthorn
says...
5:49pm Fri 19 Mar 10
On the teachers side
says...
6:45pm Fri 19 Mar 10
cazsb
says...
6:52pm Fri 19 Mar 10
What an utterly disgraceful woman. I do feel for you all. My son is an ex-pupil of the school, which is where my interest in the school is. If I see her at the local shops I will tell her what I think of her. She can't sack me, I don't work there!!
Manipulation, control, and dominance. Shes a disgrace!!
I do hope that even tho Mr Elvin has been sacked he will be exonerated and be able to return with the people he care for and his collegues.
I believe this was Aylesbury's first headship...what a **** shambles!!
fix up look sharp
says...
6:54pm Fri 19 Mar 10
neighbour
says...
10:18pm Fri 19 Mar 10
Watford teacher writes:
'Having then paused for maximum effect, she went on to tell us that only three people really knew what happened regarding the allegations against Martin, and she was one of those people.'
Three people. Well, if that were the case, then there's Mr Martin, Ms Aylesbury, and the alleged victim. Three people who were present at the alleged incident and therefore knew of the exact circumstances, and therefore the only people.
But was Ms Aylesbury actually there? If that were the case then that would make her a witness; if it were not, then the whole case rests on the word of the alleged victim. His word against Mr Elvin.
Is that it? Does the whole case rest on the word of the alleged victim?
If, on the other hand, if Ms Aylesbury was present as a witness to the incident, it would suggest that Mr Elwin could only have have suffered a sudden, violent, psychotic episode and deliberately committed an assault right in front of Ms Aylesbury, thus giving her more than sufficient ammunition with which to sack him. For Mr Elvin to do have done so would certainly be a sign of insanity. Would any sane man do anything so bizarre and self-destructive in front of someone who he knew to be so potentially dangerous to him?
So he must have been insane. Or Stark Staring Bonkers, if you prefer the correct psychiatric term.
That's if I've got it right, of course.
The only other alternative is that Mr Elvin admitted pushing the student. This would, of course, weaken his case.
The only instances in which a teacher can use any kind of 'reasonable force' are:
1/ To protect the student from injuring themselves.
2/ To protect another person from injury.
3/ To protect property.
I presume that 'another person' includes the teacher.
If he had pushed the student and had admitted doing so, I just hope he thought of 1,2 or 3.
Oh, hang on, there is another alternative: perhaps it never happened in the first place! How silly of me to have forgotten that off-the-wall hypothesis!
I am once again confused.
neighbour
says...
10:42pm Fri 19 Mar 10
'The Education and Inspections Act 2006 introduced a statutory right for school staff to use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances to prevent a pupil from:
•committing an offence or engaging in conduct that could be an offence
•causing injury to themselves or others
•damaging property
•prejudicing good order and discipline at the school'
Regarding the definition of 'offence', I'll have to do some more research. In any event, it does rather broaden the spectrum of what a teacher can and can't do and when he or she can do it.
Anyway, when push comes to shove (sorry), you may sometimes have to make a decision to effect physical restraint to keep order.
I really should get out more, but I just can't let this pass me by.
jamesmckay
says...
12:23am Tue 23 Mar 10
Please can you carry on delving for the truth neighbour, surely it can't be to far away.
I've also heard a rumour that the school is heading towards financial ruin because the Head has employed a lot of assistant/deputy head teachers on extortionate wages, and then tried to balance this by employing many unqualified teachers at a low salary to try and offset the high wages of the senior learning team.
Whether this is true or not it remains to be seen.
Although I have been doing a bit of research on the Westfield school website; it is worth noting that one of the governors; Mr Paul Rosen is an accountant. Could the school have 2 sets of books? Imagine if that was true.
These sort of issues always have a way of surfacing, especially when you add injustice into the mix. I wouldn't want to be attracting attention to a school, especially by sacking a man, who according to the Watford Observer and one or two of my old friends working on pegs lane (County Hall, Herts County Council - for people not aware of what goes on at pegs lane), has done very little, if anything wrong.
I think this thing has only just got started. But coming back to this article. I doubt Mr Elvin has done anything wrong, but i don't know the gentleman so I couldn't say for sure. I can only go on what i have heard.
crazyfrog
says...
12:56pm Tue 23 Mar 10
neighbour
says...
6:36pm Tue 23 Mar 10
(Deep breath...)
Questions:
Is the school run and managed by the Local Authority, or is it a Foundation Trust school run and managed by the governing body? If the latter is the case, then why am I not surprised? We need to know one way or the other. Can anyone fill us in?
If it's run and managed by the Local Authority, and gets into financial difficulties, it can easily and quickly be turned into an academy (a publicly funded independent school - more of that later, perhaps) at which point the Principal and most senior staff could swiftly find themselves unemployed. This could be a double-edged sword, as academies are not known for their friendly attitude towards unions. They can also be run by people with little or no knowledge of teaching e.g Lord Harris of Peckham, that well-known carpet salesmen, AKA Del Boy, in which case the taxpayer i.e you and me, pay for them, while they are actually run by, well, carpet salesmen.
The most telling, articulate and poignant letter I have read so far regarding this sorry tale is that from Watfordteacher. I wonder if there's any chance of any other teachers at Westfield prepared to say anything. Anonymously of course. It would have to be, comrade Stalin. Anyway, you wouldn't want to influence the board of governors, would you? Anyway they have all the information they need, haven't they? And where DID that information come from? What was it?
One more question:
Is Mr Elvin going to appeal? Someone must know. If he hasn't already lodged an appeal, then he has either given up in the face of adversity, realising that the Latin phrase 'Illigitimus nil carborundum' can no longer be applied, and that they have managed to grind him down beyond the point at which cares anymore. Or perhaps his case is too weak for him to feel that he can continue. We are still waiting for the evidence.
Sitting at home on full pay wouldn't worry some people, but this may have taken a toll on his health. Fifteen years dedicated teaching followed by some Kangaroo court's attempt to assassinate him is not conducive to peace of mind, nor is his sacking going to look that brilliant on a CV, so further employment as a teacher would be elusive if not impossible.
If, however, he eventually appeals via an Industrial Tribunal, then at least the 'evidence' would be made public, but he cannot proceed to this step until the appeal is heard by the governing body. He would, of course, be on full pay pending this appeal. Another nine months? Who knows? Good for the supply teacher too. Drinks all round. But not yet.
I've never been that good at arithmetic, but is it not beyond the realms of possibility that the school is about to pay out another £40000? Please correct me if I'm wrong. I welcome fresh information and constructive criticism. Is there not one person out there prepared to stand up and defend the Principal or governors? If there are, then their silence is deafening. So far, there hasn't even been a minority of one.
We must not forget, of course, the possibility that Mr Elvin may not have a viable defence, in which case he would be advised by his union not to proceed; they would not pay for legal representation if his case was so weak that he would be unable to provide a reasonable defence.
Perhaps he's guilty as charged. If we have an 'Official Secrets Act' preventing any information seeing the light of day, then we shall never know. This is basically what I find most offensive and scary about this case.
Me? I'm not even involved; I am just another human being who hates bullies and injustice, but if I were Mr Elvin and innocent, I would be taking this as far as I could go, and proceeding to an Industrial Tribunal would do him no harm. Indeed, not to proceed and not protesting his innocence may actually do him harm. If he were to be exonerated, I wonder what his chances would be of being given his old job back. I don't think that it would go down too well in some quarters.
And by the way: if a 'push' had in point of fact been delivered to the student, and if the case for defence was not too strong then there are such things as mitigating circumstances, bearing in mind relevant legislation (The Education and Inspections Act 2006):
http://www.atl.org.u
k/help-and-advice/al
legations-and-compla
ints/restraint.asp
Transparency and justice are all that are demanded, and without the former the latter becomes invisible and in doubt. I know there is such a thing as sub-judice regarding information being made public, but now Mr Elvin's been sacked, does that still apply? I don't know. In any event, it is clear that if the alleged victim is a minor, then he or she (we don't even know that!) should not be publicly identified.
And, dear Watford Observer, please do not put the cork back in this bottle. I sincerely doubt that the Genie is going to go back in until this case is resolved, and given the bulging mail-bag of comments both during his suspension and after his being sacked, it seems to be a popular cause about which a great many people feel passionately.
So, in your own time, Grand Inquisition, but sometime this year would be handy.
That's all for now. My nurse has just told me that it's time for my rest.
hetron
says...
9:32pm Tue 23 Mar 10
neighbour
says...
10:04pm Tue 23 Mar 10
It's a shame that they've lost a teacher who has been practically sainted by everyone. Well, almost everyone. Perhaps his absence will be temporary, so let's wait and see, and hope that there are no more prevarications and bizarre delays in this situation getting sorted. Chin up!
RobBob
says...
10:08pm Tue 23 Mar 10
jamesmckay
says...
8:23pm Fri 26 Mar 10
Positive or negative welcome?
Frankly it strikes me as way to over the top in the schools attempts to safeguard children. I'm no expert in this field, but how many pictures of students playing football or hockey could be used by perverts or paedophiles? Do opposition parents have to abide by this ban of photography?
The leaders of the school just seem to be out to try and lay down the law on everything they possibly can.
neighbour
says...
8:19am Sat 27 Mar 10
Mr Elvin seems to have been shelved - temporarily I hope.
neighbour
says...
9:35am Sat 27 Mar 10
Got it! I should have paid attention to that old saying: 'If all else fails, then read the directions.'
So. Photography. Gasps of surprise all round.
I don't want to say 'I told you so', but I seem to remember scribbling something about it being a matter of time before she has a good old book burning. I know it's not exactly the same thing, but it does come close, don't you think?
And what next? Burkas?
I suppose I shall now put this on the appropriate section before it, too, bursts with posts.
Pip pip!
jamesmckay
says...
10:03am Sat 27 Mar 10
"Oh sorry..i forgot they have cctv, children can be followed around the whole school and have absolutely no privacy. Is this school becoming the governments prototype for the big brother prison society we are sleepwalking into".
Maybe thats hit the nail on the head
stellinara
says...
12:47pm Sun 28 Mar 10
jamesmckay
says...
8:08pm Sun 28 Mar 10
stellinara wrote:Sorry stellinara but how can children be proud of their school when the very people running the school so blatantly victimise a teacher, who as we are led to believe, has done little or nothing wrong.
most schools have CCTV. Whatever Westfield do will be wrong. They don't stand a chance with people constantly critisising them. Children look up to adults so you should all be setting them an example. You are like a bunch of 5 year olds. Why not use your energy encouraging them to be proud of their school which will result in a better experience for them all.
You've read the supportive comments of Mr Elvin. The pupils are missing out on a better experience because Mr Elvin is not there.
It wouldn't surprise me if you were put up to this by somebody at the school. Come on, smell the coffee. The school is in a disastrous state of affairs, a highly respected teacher made to look like some sort of criminal, parents writing in letters of complaints.
What say you to this? Or will you say nothing at all and carry on the great Westfield tradition of late by not saying anything at all. They seem to think this will silence the critics. It won't it will just make them ever more critical wanting to hear answers.
stellinara
says...
8:43pm Sun 28 Mar 10
I have experience of other schools too and they are far from perfect.
I do feel for Mr Elvin and his family but none of us know what really went on and if he is a risk to students then he certainly shouldn't be there.
jamesmckay
says...
9:50pm Sun 28 Mar 10
The school is building itself a bad reputation by being so secretive about the whole Mr Elvin case.
Hundreds of people speak with me when i say Mr Elvin is not a risk to students, he never has been, nor will he ever be a risk. Ask your child about Mr Elvin. Ask them what he did for yours childs friends, with work related learning. Getting children with no interest in the tradition school system into college and work placements.
15 years of hard graft for what? Why after so long would Mr Elvin suddenly become a risk? Imagine having all that taken away from you?
I for one, along with many other am not going to stand by and let this happen. It is unfortunate that the school's name may suffer, but without Mr Elvin Westfield is suffering.
stellinara
says...
11:55pm Sun 28 Mar 10
My daughter and her friends had no connections with Mr Elvin because they all studied under the normal GCSE route.
I hope that he was innocent and if he was I hope he is able to appeal and win although I doubt that he would want to go back to Westfield.
My main point is that the majority of children are happy at Westfield and it doesn't help them when their school is being dragged down by the media and the general public.
When my daughter was there people friends od ours would make comments about westfield. My daughter is strong and was able to say I ma happy there and I am doing well. It is a shame that others are not that strong and could be affected by thinking that they go to a bad school.
I would just like to see things settle down for the sake of the students, staff, community and especially all the year 6 children who have a place at westfield from september.
jamesmckay
says...
1:29am Mon 29 Mar 10
You have to appreciate that when a teacher is sacked, they nno longer get paid. So Mr Elvin will have had to take himself down to the job centre and sign on. How do you think this would make a man like Mr Elvin feel?
Going from being paid a fair salary as a teacher to getting paid a meagre 60 odd quid a week. It really is a dreadful state of affairs. Imagine how Mr Elvin is feeling right now (going on the basis that he hasn't done anything wrong and is innocent). I'm surprised the bloke hasn't tried to take the law into his own hands. I'm sure other people would have by now.
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ghosthorn says...
10:15am Thu 18 Mar 10