Clarification note following some perhaps unwittingly incorrect characterisation by Jessica Brooke sent on behalf of Joanna CEO of Surrey Cc
Dear Joanna( CEO Surrey CC)
Hope all is well.
1. We
refer to the email below from a Ms Jessica Brooke who we understand is
responding on your behalf. We spent almost a whole year in correspondence
with the school, council early learning et al. About C's specific needs.
2. To
emphasise, we are simply requesting basic normal routine that would be expected
from any school. As explicitly stated on the school website and in the
guidance. As C continues to attend school daily, the issues below need
immediate addressing:
4. As
well as a stop to exclusion from FT education attendance now cut at two hrs.
5. A stop
to repeated physical handling by staff.
6. A stop
to be locked out of the school (see video).
8. A
clear written account of the incident/s around his trouser in the toilet i.e.,
being full down while simply doing a wee and who goes with him to the toilet.
9. To
that end we are seeking further support and assistance from Send Service and
all other associated services.
Immediate concerns for C, development and overall wellbeing at
school
10. We are
extremely concerned about C’s physical and psychological handling and treatment
by the adults that supervise him at the south Camberley school. Our repeated
requests for information and clarity in writing appear not to have been
responded to accordingly.
11. In a
meeting on or around the 17th of May 2021 with Mrs Kuzberg (a white
female) and c’s teacher, Mrs Kurzberg stated words to the effect that C was
telling him or demonstrating that he does not want to be at school. And that over
thirty years Mrs Kurzberg has seen children who go to school and come out
worse.
12. Also,
in the week starting 7th June 2021, as I dropped C off Mrs Kurzberg
among other issues, when asked why C was just being ignored and left outside
the school door, causing visible public distress to him, she said that they
have many children who are distressed or words to that effect. This was
documented in a subsequent email sent to her et al on the day in question
shortly after she sent an email.
13. Overall,
for C not to be physically negatively repeatedly handled as witnessed on more
than one occasion in our presence. When we drop him by a white female of about
6 ft or so, et al.
14. Mr
Jonny Franks has to date not provided the professional and physical identity,
her specific roles, educational or literacy duties in relation to the C.
Despite repeated formal requests including an FOI. The reluctance to do this
raises serious immediate concerns for C’s overall wellbeing at the school which
need to be addressed. Immediately.
15. If
that happens in our presence what happens behind closed doors to a child, who
is non-verbal at present, and we believe the only black child in his class.
16. For
Mrs Kurzberg and Mr Jonny Franks to provide a complete and full account of the
circumstances under which the c’s trousers are fully down and he cannot
apparently bring them up while he is just doing a pee.
17. He is
fully potty trained and simply normally lowers his trousers multiple times a
day to do this.
18. The
full and complete account of all the instances as to what was done or said to
him leading to allegedly biting the same individual a few weeks ago.
19. C should
not be locked outside the door (see video) when he happens to arrive at the
school a few minutes before 9. We have witnessed many children and parents do
that and their kids are not restricted and allowed to play freely before normal
class starts.
Immediate
learning and educational concerns for C
- For C to be taught not just
left to play with his favourite red bus he brings from home in most cases.
(See note of 17th May with c’s teacher and Mrs Kurzberg)
- For speech and language
support.
- For literacy to part of his
daily learning in line with his peers
- FT education for C and
inclusive education and play with his peers.
- As opposed to repeated irrationally
negatively and destructively labelled consistent with the historical
racial attitudes of black children, especially boys and males, in
education and society in general. C is a defenceless, currently non fully
verbal five-year-old boy.
- And the open ended 2 hr
maximum open attendance by C to stop immediately. As simple as that.
Jessica’ information on CEO’s behalf
26. Unfortunately,
it is not clear where Jessica is getting her brief but perhaps unwittingly, she
appears to have misrepresented our position which is well documented.
27. But
the part of the factual and overall characterisation is categorically untrue.
She also made incorrect claims (perhaps unwittingly),
28. One wonders if that explains the inexplicable overt hostility, we have faced including the child and us have been shown. That is why race and racism as a major contributory factor need to be examined.
30. We are
requesting for related literacy teaching for c FT education for C and inclusive
education and play with his peers. And the current 2 hr maximum open-ended
attendance coming to months now to stop. This
is basic standard statutory requirements.
31. We are
NOT asking for an instant ECHP. We understand that is a process. A member
of staff had a long discussion and kindly informed the school and other surrey
officers to that end.
32. We are
requesting the school to provide literacy, full inclusion in educational and
play activity for C (SJ) with his peers. As would be expected in any school. While an ECHP is drawn.
33. As
opposed to being restricted and 'policed' or away from his peers by folks whose
full professional and personal identity, training has not been fully disclosed by the
school despite repeated requests.
The complaints
34. The
complaints (see attached) are specifically in relation to the unfair, unjust
and sometimes perceived unprofessional treatment of C and the
parent/s by the school. By omission, commission or inaction. They have been ignored by the
school including the governors.
35. To be
clear, its grossly misleading that the complaints are about 'delay of ECHP'.
This mischaracterisation is part of a pattern of a modus operandi from the
school.
36. The
specific issues are self-evident as attached.
37. Such
as the contents of a report by individual contracted by the school an
individual, a white female known to us only in writing, as Elizabeth Gunner who
is apparently a speech therapist. See attached but suffice to say they are
arguably incompatible with both the spirit and the letter of Send related
legislation and principles.
38. We
suggested the meeting with clear mutually agreed objectives and time specific
educational outcomes activities for the child. Moreover, that does not negate a
child getting FT, inclusive educational and speech literacy language and
related support on a day-to-day level.
39. Both
of which are currently being denied from him. As evidenced by recent concerning emails from Mrs Kurzbeg and Mr Jonny Franks. (Copied to you).
40. However,
Mr Jonny Franks has neither confirmed that meeting details to date.
41. Our
immediate concerns in summary over since 19th April 2021 although we
fully briefed the school, i.e., Mrs Wrights, Mrs, Kurzberg and Mr Jonny Franks,
about C’s needs and have been in regular contact for almost a year.
·
To be clear, related literacy teaching for
C (not to be left just playing with his bus, FT education for C and inclusive
education and play with his peers.
·
As well as a stop to exclusion from FT
education attendance now cut at two hrs.
·
A stop to repeated physical handling by
staff.
·
A stop to be locked out of the school (see
video).
·
Full time education.
·
A clear written account of the incident/s
around his trouser in the toilet i.e., being full down while simply doing a wee
and who goes with him to the toilet.
42. In
fact, we had to fight for the two hrs after Mr Franks, Mrs Kurzberg and C's
teacher imposed just 30 mins within minutes of his first day 19th April 2021.
Therefore
43. The cumulative set of events, comments, some views expressed in an official report by Elizabeth Gunner who is apparently a speech therapist who gave a medical diagnosis (we have not seen qualifications to that end), and now the brief provided to Jessica, appears to raise a question as to whether the NAMED individuals in charge of the public-school resources are exhibiting fair, equal and just treatment or education of ALL children, irrespective of their needs or background?
Or are creating a hostile environment for the
C et al to justify what Elizabeth Gunner, hired by the school to send to C to a
‘special school, restrict his FT education(without a suitably statutory appropriate fully transparent legal process) and impede him access to speech and
language support provided by the school?
44. The
content of the emails below , the incorrect information and the ongoing responses or lack thereof, are exactly the reason we lost total and complete faith and trust in the named
individuals at the school, in senior leadership, which would naturally percolate
to lower staff.
45. We are
happy to call your office to provide further clarity, facts and context to
avoid misleading briefs like the one from Jessica Brook.
46. Perhaps
she too was briefed inaccurately. We do not know who did and it is important
for C’s immediate day to day literacy and overall, well being at school to be
immediately addressed.
47. That
is why a we sought your good offices.
Kind regards
For and on behalf of C
15th June 2021