Monday 22 January 2024

Sunday 25 June 2023

The Truth Will Out - Eventually

Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander “A false friend and a shadow attend only while the sun shines.” Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
“Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it, so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late” Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)



Jane had set up a ‘False Allegation’ Facebook account along with this blog. It was never used but one night in late 2009, Jane accidentally sent a ‘friend request’ – I think that we can all relate to that situation. It provoked an odd reaction from Anne Callander to which Jane then responded. I intervened and asked Anne to discontinue and to leave Jane alone which then provoked this surprising response :

----- Original Message -----
From: Anne Callander
To: False Allegation
Sent: 05 January 2010 15:49
Subject: Anne Callander sent you a message on Facebook...

Look through my “intrusion” so far and compare it to what you have written. It is you who started the intrusion by continually looking at my private profile and your false name coming up as a friend suggestion. You have forced me into what follows :

As a Headteacher myself I know that the safeguarding and protection of a child is paramount, above all other concerns, and there are procedures that simply have to be followed.

The outcome would have been so different and Jane would still be teaching today if she had accepted that she needed support during the difficult time she was having. Instead she chose a different route.

The Jane I once knew would have taken the correct advice and accept the support offered from the start. She would NOT have ignored the advice from her union, her friends and the supportive network at county. She would NOT have followed the corrosive and destructive path that was advised by her partner whose first contact with her after the suspension was to tell her to Shut up and don’t say any more.

None of this was reported at the hearing. I could have done had I chosen to, but I wanted to say as little as possible whilst still telling the TRUTH.

This was the stance I had taken all along which I now know was “sitting on the fence”. I also took this attitude during the phonecalls that I received from Jane possibly giving the impression that I was agreeing with her by responding with “mmmm” and expressive “oh nos” and the like.

I should have been more brave and admitted that I did have grave concerns about her behaviour over the years, and that I was now concerned that she was changing her story.

She had already relayed the whole story to me on the car park was now telling me that she had “no idea what I’m being accused of”.

If I am guilty of anything it is the dreadful weakness of being unable to confront her. I am guilty of not reinforcing my initial advice to listen to what her union advises and to take all the professional support she can.

No doubt this is what led to Jane expecting me to lie for her at the hearing. However, there I had to draw the line.

Jane DID admit to me that she had smacked the child. I could not lie about this. Friendship or no friendship I could not stick up for her and call the child a liar. And as a friend she should not have expected me to do so.

I repeat. This did not need to happen. The outcome would have been very different if the correct advice was taken. Support could have been given officially and she would have been supported by her colleagues too if she could have admitted that her actions were due to the enormous pressure she was under.

Jane chose this path herself. It is her OWN ACTIONS (on the ill advice from her partner) that have led to her “life of hell”, not my actions.

I hope Jane gets to read this and it is not kept from her by her partner who will know that all I am writing is the truth.

I pity her and what has happened and I am very sad that she is not happy. But it wasn’t down to anything that I did.

But it wasn’t down to anything that I did.” In point of fact, Jane’s fate had been entirely her fault !

Saturday 12 December 2020

Merry Christmas

Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Anne Callander

May the true spirit of Christmas shine in your heart and light your path.


We may not always get what we want,
but surely we will get what we deserve.

— Douglas Horton (1891 - 1968)

Thursday 17 September 2020

Saturday 19 May 2018

Wedding Day

Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” David Brinkley (1920-2003)





We all have obstacles thrown at us. Sometimes it feels like it’s more than we can take but it is our ability to overcome these challenges that define our true potential.

Life is filled with difficulties and trials but if reaching the stars were easy then everyone would be there.

This is how we can set ourselves apart from the pack; by fighting past the hardships of life, the constant barriers that we find ourselves before, and use them to build ourselves even stronger than our former selves.

There are people who want to see us succeed and people who want to see us fail. None of them will ultimately make the decision in the end. Only we can make that choice as it is our life and not theirs.



Opportunities are seldom gift wrapped in gold with a silk ribbon and there are times when they are distinctly black, frightening and at first sight full of horror. It is all down to our ability to analyze, to understand and seek a direction and ultimate goal. Life is always a puzzle, full of rewards and at times challenges – everything happens for a reason … if we can not see it then we must change our viewpoint and look again.

That’s exactly what happened to Jane on that Thursday, 27 September 2007 in the car park. Anne Callander shattered and destroyed the very foundations, the core of Jane’s life. All that then unfolded for Jane was terror and horror – she’d done nothing wrong and yet no one wanted to hear the truth and her story – no one was there to listen. She was alone and deserted by her so called colleagues and friendships that spanned decades. Everyone wants to believe the worst and they judge without knowing – repeat a story often enough and get others to retell the story and it gains its own life and version of truth … and that’s what Anne Callander did.

Anne Callander said in her e-mail :

The outcome would have been so different and Jane would still be teaching today if she had accepted that she needed support during the difficult time she was having. Instead she chose a different route.

She would NOT have followed the corrosive and destructive path that was advised by her partner whose first contact with her after the suspension was to tell her to “Shut up and don’t say any more”.

Jane DID admit to me that she had smacked the child. I could not lie about this.

Jane chose this path herself. It is her OWN ACTIONS (on the ill advice from her partner) that have led to her “life of hell”, not my actions.

The dilemma all along was that child assault can not and should not be forgiven – it is inexcusable. Jane was found guilty by the school ‘quango’ court – they claimed that Jane had committed a vicious and violent assault and that calls for dismissal.

It soon became clear that none of Jane’s colleagues were her friends – everyone had judged and betrayed her and she knew that Duke Street Primary School could never be her place of employment in the future as she’d never be trusted - that sense and realization would apply to all schools – that is all schools in the UK !


Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander Arrested
10:00, Wednesday, 31 October 2007

Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander Don Cargill
Sunday, 13 April 2008
Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander
September 2008
Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander House of Commons Report
Friday, 17 July 2009


Jane’s Story
Friday, 21 August 2009

Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander The Times
Tuesday, 27 October 2009

Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander BBC Radio (Chris Ryder)
Television Centre Tuesday, 16 November 2010

Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander Sky Television (Sky News)
Sky Television Friday, 26 August 2016

Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander View From Our Home
Duke Street School - 1,000 Miles In That Direction !

Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander Pechón - Our Village
Chorley - 1,000 Miles On The Right !

Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander Our Dog On Our Beach
Hoshika - Our ‘Best’ Friend

Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander Audi TTS - Brand New Lefthand Drive
Jane’s First Spanish Car - An Early Wedding Present


Northrop T-38 Talon
Friday, 17 February 2017

Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander Piper Tomahawk - Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL)
“I Believe I Can Fly”


Success

Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate the beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch Or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded !” Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Monday 2 April 2018

Only Following Procedures ...

----- Original Message -----
From: Anne Callander
To: False Allegation
Sent: 05 January 2010 15:49
Subject: Anne Callander sent you a message on Facebook...

Look through my “intrusion” so far and compare it to what you have written. It is you who started the intrusion and it is you have forced me into what follows:

As a Headteacher myself I know that the safeguarding and protection of a child is paramount, above all other concerns, and there are procedures that simply have to be followed.

The outcome would have been so different and Jane would still be teaching today if she had accepted that she needed support during the difficult time she was having. Instead she chose a different route.

The Jane I once knew would have taken the correct advice and accept the support offered from the start. She would NOT have ignored the advice from her union, her friends and the supportive network at county. She would NOT have followed the corrosive and destructive path that was advised by her partner whose first contact with her after the suspension was to tell her to “Shut up and don’t say any more”.

None of this was reported at the hearing. I could have done had I chosen to, but I wanted to say as little as possible whilst still telling the TRUTH.

This was the stance I had taken all along which I now know was “sitting on the fence”. I also took this attitude during the phonecalls that I received from Jane possibly giving the impression that I was agreeing with her by responding with “mmmm” and expressive “oh nos” and the like.

I should have been more brave and admitted that I did have grave concerns about her behaviour over the years, and that I was now concerned that she was changing her story.

She had already relayed the whole story to me on the car park was now telling me that she had “no idea what I’m being accused of”.

If I am guilty of anything it is the dreadful weakness of being unable to confront her. I am guilty of not reinforcing my initial advice to listen to what her union advises and to take all the professional support she can.

No doubt this is what led to Jane expecting me to lie for her at the hearing. However, there I had to draw the line.

Jane DID admit to me that she had smacked the child. I could not lie about this. Friendship or no friendship I could not stick up for her and call the child a liar. And as a friend she should not have expected me to do so.

I repeat. This did not need to happen. The outcome would have been very different if the correct advice was taken. Support could have been given officially and she would have been supported by her colleagues too if she could have admitted that her actions were due to the enormous pressure she was under.

Jane chose this path herself. It is her OWN ACTIONS (on the ill advice from her partner) that have led to her “life of hell”, not my actions.

I hope Jane gets to read this and it is not kept from her by her partner who will know that all I am writing is the truth.

I pity her and what has happened and I am very sad that she is not happy. But it wasn’t down to anything that I did.

In response to her e-mail, albeit 8 years late, it was all down to you. You poisoned any opportunity for Jane to substantiate her innocence by telling your story to everyone you could and that’s why you had to change your statement to the brief two inconsequential sentences that you finally submitted.

You never actually knew Jane; that is so evident. If you had then you’d have known the impossibility of Jane ever assaulting a child. She’s professional and no matter what the circumstance, she’d never resort to temper, aggressive behaviour or assault – a 30 year unblemished career showed all that anyone wanted to know. She helped you through your times of need and loss. Jane has a real heart and is the best friend that anyone could ever wish for.

Did you consider recording the misery of her phonecalls to you when she believed you to be a friend ? She discussed the death of her dear father at these times too.
In your own words :
I also took this attitude during the phonecalls that I received from Jane possibly giving the impression that I was agreeing with her by responding with “mmmm” and expressive “oh nos” and the like.
(Maybe we could send some ? Why not enjoy her personal suffering during the arrest interview - something that Jane can never listen to yet it contains the whole story in every detail. Can you lie under such stress ? Maybe you can but Jane couldn’t ! You could listen to another of your ‘friends’ who were too frightened to submit a statement. Or possibly more of your ‘friends at county’ when Jane didn’t know anything about the allegation ? Union support - another fallacy ! If you want to see what Jane experienced watch her video - you can’t beat NASUWT racist jokes !)

You alone judged her that day in her car; a decision that nearly destroyed her life and caused so much damage to her family and mine – something that we’ll never forgive or forget.

Few can appreciate what an allegation of child assault feels like and how it tears apart your very heart and soul. It is one of the worst crimes imaginable – to intentionally harm a child. An allegation such as this causes such anguish, pain and suffering – worse when you realize that this suffering will never diminish and will last a lifetime.

Almost everyday there are dramatic stories of abuse - sexual and physical - some celebrities and others just ordinary people. The stories MUST be true ! What did Anne Callander say in her e-mail ?
As a Headteacher myself I know that the safeguarding and protection of a child is paramount, above all other concerns, and there are procedures that simply have to be followed.
That’s good, start with another lie - Anne Callander never did reach the dizzy heights of head teacher !

Everyone realizes that child protection is paramount; we all should live by that most basic and natural instinct.

“... procedures that simply have to be followed” - sadly over the centuries there have been so many who made the claim that they were only obeying rules ! Egotists and narcissistic sociopaths love the feeling of control and power over others but it should come down to accountability and responsibility in the hands of those who can appreciate commonsense.

Sunday 1 April 2018

False Friends

Andrew Kidd Duke Street Primary School Chorley Jane Watts Anne Callander “A false friend and a shadow attend only while the sun shines.” Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
“La falsedad tiene alas y vuela, y la verdad la sigue arrastrándose, de modo que cuando las gentes se dan cuenta del engaño ya es demasiado tarde.” Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616)
“Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it, so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late” Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)



On Thursday, 27 September 2007, our lives were changed forever.

On that day, Jane received a blow from which she could never recover :
“Jane there has been an accusation that you assaulted a child. I can not discuss this matter and you need to go home.”
This was her head teacher, Andrew Kidd. Jane should have been accompanied by a friend or colleague, primarily to help her cope with such a shock, but he denied her that right and she left school on her own in a state of utter mental torture, confusion and barely able to walk.

Jane found herself crying and in hysterics, trapped in her car and incapable of driving. She called for help and her plea was answered by Anne Callander – another teacher, friend and colleague.

The heartless nature of “friends” and colleagues at such times is a revelation of human weakness, cowardice and betrayal. Anne Callander did not comfort nor reassure Jane on that fateful day. She casually discarded a friendship of some 8 years or more and then sat as an inquisitor taking mental notes of Jane’s hysterical ramblings. In her words from her e-mail below : “giving the impression that I was agreeing with her by responding with “mmmm” and expressive “oh nos” and the like.”

Jane’s brain was in turmoil – pumped full of adrenaline, struggling to comprehend what had happened and trying to create some logical explanation. She was experiencing full-blown shock – a panic attack of monumental proportion – all she wanted was to run away – the “Fight-or-Flight Response”.

Jane managed to call me and said that she was “not very well” and was in the car park. When I arrived, Anne Callander was still there encouraging her to retell her thoughts about what had happened the previous day.

It took me a while before I understood what had happened and quickly realized the evil and wicked motivation of Anne Callander’s presence. I took full responsibility for Jane and told her to say nothing more and asked Anne Callander to get out of the car.

She was reluctant to leave and I got the impression that she would have welcomed the use of a pen and notepad at that time. She clearly hesitated and I think that she actually expected Jane to tell her to stay. In the end I had to instruct her to leave.



Jane had set up a ‘False Allegation’ Facebook account along with this blog. It was never used but one night in late 2009, Jane accidentally sent a ‘friend request’ – I think that we can all relate to that situation. It provoked an odd reaction from Anne Callander to which Jane then responded. I intervened and asked Anne to discontinue and to leave Jane alone which then provoked this surprising response :

----- Original Message -----
From: Anne Callander
To: False Allegation
Sent: 05 January 2010 15:49
Subject: Anne Callander sent you a message on Facebook...

Look through my “intrusion” so far and compare it to what you have written. It is you who started the intrusion and it is you have forced me into what follows:

As a Headteacher myself I know that the safeguarding and protection of a child is paramount, above all other concerns, and there are procedures that simply have to be followed.

The outcome would have been so different and Jane would still be teaching today if she had accepted that she needed support during the difficult time she was having. Instead she chose a different route.

The Jane I once knew would have taken the correct advice and accept the support offered from the start. She would NOT have ignored the advice from her union, her friends and the supportive network at county. She would NOT have followed the corrosive and destructive path that was advised by her partner whose first contact with her after the suspension was to tell her to “Shut up and don’t say any more”.

None of this was reported at the hearing. I could have done had I chosen to, but I wanted to say as little as possible whilst still telling the TRUTH.

This was the stance I had taken all along which I now know was “sitting on the fence”. I also took this attitude during the phonecalls that I received from Jane possibly giving the impression that I was agreeing with her by responding with “mmmm” and expressive “oh nos” and the like.

I should have been more brave and admitted that I did have grave concerns about her behaviour over the years, and that I was now concerned that she was changing her story.

She had already relayed the whole story to me on the car park was now telling me that she had “no idea what I’m being accused of”.

If I am guilty of anything it is the dreadful weakness of being unable to confront her. I am guilty of not reinforcing my initial advice to listen to what her union advises and to take all the professional support she can.

No doubt this is what led to Jane expecting me to lie for her at the hearing. However, there I had to draw the line.

Jane DID admit to me that she had smacked the child. I could not lie about this. Friendship or no friendship I could not stick up for her and call the child a liar. And as a friend she should not have expected me to do so.

I repeat. This did not need to happen. The outcome would have been very different if the correct advice was taken. Support could have been given officially and she would have been supported by her colleagues too if she could have admitted that her actions were due to the enormous pressure she was under.

Jane chose this path herself. It is her OWN ACTIONS (on the ill advice from her partner) that have led to her “life of hell”, not my actions.

I hope Jane gets to read this and it is not kept from her by her partner who will know that all I am writing is the truth.

I pity her and what has happened and I am very sad that she is not happy. But it wasn’t down to anything that I did.



Statement by Mrs. A. Callander (included in Andrew Kidd’s report)

A.4.1 I was in the pub at lunchtime with Mrs. Watts on Thursday 27 September. Mrs. Watts said, “I’m in trouble this morning.” I asked why. Mrs. Watts replied, “Because I tapped her on the wrist.”
A.4.2 On the following Sunday, I got a phonecall from Mrs. Watts. She was distressed. Mrs. Watts said she thought it couldn’t be what she told me on Thursday, because she wouldn’t have been able to reach over. She said it must have been when Ebony was running around.

From the disciplinary hearing 26 March 2008 :
Kidd:Mrs. Callander had revised statement – I had original copies and electronic copies. Mrs. Callander said she wanted to amend it.

From the appeal hearing 18 June 2008 :
Barrister:Your original statement – you wanted to add to it. Is that why it changed later ?
Callander:Mr. Kidd wrote notes – it was me who decided to put it down in that way – it is what I wanted it to say.
Barrister:Did you do that in January or was it signed in January ?
Callander:I can’t remember the actual timing of it. I know he was making notes as I spoke to him but I didn’t see it written down until a later date.
Barrister:You wanted to add to it later ?
Callander:I wanted to make it a little more informed I suppose.

From her e-mail, Anne Callander had much to say and had vital information to divest. It is obvious that she is sufficiently qualified and of a strong personality and would have produced her own statement detailing events surrounding the allegation. It is concerning that Andrew Kidd was permitted to write witnesses statements in the first place and that no statements were dated or signed. However in Anne Callander's case, she permitted Andrew Kidd’s statement to be submitted that she later retracted and “amended”. She said that she wanted to submit a “more informed” account. In reality, her final statement was not only trivial and inconsequential, it was the shortest submitted statement.

Disciplinary hearing 26 March 2008, Anne Callander’s contribution :

Mrs C made her statement in January.
Mrs C was under impression Mrs W knew what incident was under question.
In car park – Mrs W said it was just tap on wrist – Mrs W demonstrated it on her in car.
Could have made longer statement – does not know what is relevant or not.
Mrs W always said was tap on wrist originally – for first few days.
Then Mrs W said perhaps not that incident as couldn’t have reached ET across table – must have been by water tray when Mrs W put her hand on ET’s hand.
Q. Did she say may have – or definitely did ? – A. can’t recall exact words – but came across as though she had tapped ET.
Mrs C very distressed for Mrs W. Mrs C did not get impression that Mrs W hadn’t done it.
Mrs W had said to her – ‘it was only a tap on the wrist’.

Appeal hearing 18 June 2008, Anne Callander’s contribution : Barrister : I read your statement which you read earlier. Callander : It is a summary not everything. I am happy with the summary. Q) How long have you known Mrs W? R) I have been teaching at the school since 8 years ago. Known her throughout that time. Q) Worked together? R) Not team taught as such. We have taught in each others classrooms – together at Christmas practices etc Q) In your 7 or 8 years at the school any cause for concern about her professionalism? Clarification sought Q) Anything at all in the 7 or 8 years which would relate to smacking? R) I was aware of an allegation in the past from a parent which didn’t come to anything – dragging a child across the playground. We all believed that it hadn’t happened and the parent was mistaken. Occasionally hear some shouting – nothing I can personally be witness to no. Q) Are you able to comment on the relationship between mrs w and mr k R) I know Mrs Watts had issues. Q) Is it fair to say they didn’t get on? R) Not latterly, no. Q) They couldn’t stand each other could they? R) I wouldn’t put it that strongly. Q) It was a difficult professional relationship? R) It became difficult yes. GB – the original statement – you wanted to add to it is that why it changed later. R) Mr Kidd wrote notes – it was me who decided to put it down in that way – it is what I wanted it to say. Q) Did you do that in January or was it signed in January? R) I can’t remember the actual timing of it. I know he was making notes as I spoke to him but I didn’t see it written down until a later date. Q) You wanted to add to it later? R) Wanted to make it a little more informed I suppose.



Notes written by Jane on 27 Sep 2007, signed, recorded and lodged with her solicitor :

1.30pm. 27 Sep 2007 Mr Kidd entered my classroom with Miss Hilton. Miss Hilton took responsibility for my class and Mr. Kidd asked if he could have a word with me. We went together to his office. After closing the door he said “Jane I’m going to have to suspend you.”

(I was on my own with him. This meeting should never have taken place until I had either a friend / colleague or union representative.)

I replied “Why ?”

He told me that there had been an allegation of smacking made against me.

Initially I was stunned and then began to cry uncontrollably. Mr. Kidd and I talked but the conversation is blurred owing to my distressed state. Mr. Kidd offered to ring my partner to come to school. I declined.

I went back to my room to collect my belongings, still in tears, and told my colleagues.

Mrs. Flack rang my home but there was no answer.

I rang Mrs. Callendar who was having PPA release time in the staffroom and asked her to meet in the car park. After ringing Andrew Jameson she sat in the car with me and waited until he arrived.

We then chatted until I felt calm enough to drive and be followed home.

After parking in the driveway of my home I had a brief exchange of words with my partner. I then swore threw down my bags and began to walk powerfully through the estate.

After an hour I returned home feeling cold tired and physically and emotionally drained.

Being concerned for my safety and welfare Andrew began looking for me and asked a couple of PCs if they had sighted me.


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