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“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)
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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.
Arrested
Don Cargill
House of Commons Report
The Times
BBC Radio (Chris Ryder)
Sky Television (Sky News)
View From Our Home
Pechón - Our Village
Our Dog On Our Beach
Audi TTS - Brand New Lefthand Drive
Piper Tomahawk - Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL)
Jane Jameson (née Watts)
