Published: Thursday, 11th March, 2010 6:00am
Education boss defends 'silent' Knox head over CCF closure
by Bryan Copland
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Don Ledingham
EAST Lothian's education chief has hit back at critics of Knox Academy headteacher Janis Craig over the forthcoming closure of the school's Combined Cadet Force - though Ms Craig remains silent following weeks of criticism from angry parents, pupils and ex-cadets.
Repeated attempts in recent weeks by the Courier to speak to Ms Craig about the matter have been declined, prompting Don Ledingham, the local authority's executive director of education and children's services, to "reluctantly" step in.
Several parents and pupils have also told us that, since the new school term in January, Ms Craig has also declined to respond to their questions too.
The closure of Knox CCF - the last state school CCF in Scotland - was announced by Ms Craig and Brigadier David Alfrey, Commander with the 51 (Scottish) Brigade, in a joint letter last December.
The decision provoked a furious response from CCF supporters, and protesters' frustration intensified in recent weeks as confusion grew over whether it was Ms Craig or the MoD who had ultimately wielded the axe.
In a statement to the Courier, Mr Ledingham backed the headteacher and defended the planned closure of the unit, which celebrated its centenary last year.
"I have been reluctant to comment on this matter as I think Brigadier Alfrey and Mrs Craig explained the situation about the Knox Combined Cadet Force quite clearly in their joint letter," he said.
"During the last few weeks, assertions have been made about Mrs Craig personally that I would like to take this opportunity to correct."
He refuted claims by members of the public that becoming a commanding officer of the CCF was part of the headteacher's responsibilities.
"Firstly, it is not and never has been a condition of her employment that she act as commanding officer of the Knox CCF - nor has she striven against the CCF," said Mr Ledingham.
"However, each year it has become increasingly harder to recruit sufficient young people or staff to make the CCF a fully viable enterprise at Knox.
"Of Knox's 840 pupils, only around 20 are now involved in the CCF, which makes it one of the smallest interest groups in the school.
"My personal feeling is that re-establishing the CCF as a [more community-based] ACF [Army Cadet Force] would open the group to a much wider membership and offer new opportunities to young people from all over East Lothian who are keen to take part in this sort of activity.
"There is no likelihood of a change to Mrs Craig's and the brigadier's joint decision last December to look for other avenues for the cadets.
"I hope that, this being the case, we can all work together to look at how to set up an ACF as soon as possible so that the cadets can continue in the wider community.
"
Despite Ms Craig and Brigadier Alfrey stating in their joint letter that the continued storing of, and training with, cadet rifles on school premises was a major sticking point, the latter claimed at a public meeting in Haddington last month that the issue of storing weapons at the school was a "red herring".
The only other reason for the closure cited in the December letter was the "continuing challenge in recruiting enthusiastic and committed CCF staff from within the body of school staff".
A number of parents and cadets have claimed that the decision to close the unit stems from Ms Craig's alleged disinterest in the CCF. The force is set to continue until April, when financial backing from the Ministry of Defence runs out.
Meanwhile, Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, has given his support to the fight to save the CCF.
He said this week: "I was deeply shocked to hear of the plans to close the CCF at Knox Academy which only just celebrated its centenary in 2008.
"The CCF offers these cadets opportunities and experiences they might otherwise not be able to access. If the closure goes ahead the school will lose a very special 100-year tradition which has given the school an identity and is a source of immense pride amongst the pupils.
"I have called on the headmistress, East Lothian Council and the Ministry of Defence to come to a solution that will retain this valuable provision for the young people at Knox Academy. It's vital that every effort possible is taken to secure the future of the CCF for the young people at the Academy"
Have your say. .
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Mr Bill
Unregistered User
Mar 13 10 15:58
Comment: 9513
As a public and civil servant Ms Craig should be held accountable for her refusal to answer questions from the public. My perception is that Ms. Craig is a 'peacenick' and has some disdain for a Cadet force in the school. What can't she do that her many predecessors have done?
Cadets traditionally have gone on to fill commissioned and senior non-commissioned ranks within the military.
What is Ms. Craigs real aversion to the Cadet force?
Ms Craig should step down and let someone more enuthiastic and competent do the job.
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Mr Simpson
Unregistered User
Mar 14 10 18:16
Comment: 9531
How can you think Ms Craig should step down, everyone is going over the top with the closer of cadets. She cant answer everyones emails, letter or phone call she has more important things to look after. Why was knox the only state school to have cadets and only private schools do it. It all about money wouldnt u prefer money to be used for the school as a whole not for the minority. Its never coming back and even if you got a new headteacher it doesnt mean he/she will want to have cadets. You need to get over it.
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Hannah
Unregistered User
Mar 15 10 10:21
Comment: 9542
Mr Simpson, you clearly know nothing about the CCF in Knox Academy or the current situation.
Mrs Craig has not answered A SINGLE letter or e-mail or phonecall. Not one.
To me, the most important thing she has to look after is the well-being of her pupils, and the way she has dealt with this issue is upsetting the lives of many of those pupils.
Losing one of the most valuable organisations the school had is not simply something to 'get over' in a matter of weeks.
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Richard
Unregistered User
Mar 15 10 14:08
Comment: 9552
There's so much i could and would like to say about what has been going on and about the comments above made by the Head of East Lothian Education Dept Mr Don Ledingham above but it wouldn't be helpful at this time.
But can i just say Mr Simpson it doesn't cost Knox Academy a penny to have a Cadet Forces because its funded for outside the school but a bit of good will is expected..
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Jim
Unregistered User
Mar 15 10 17:03
Comment: 9559
NOBODY ACTUALLY CARES! There is like 20 pupils (if that) left in the cadet force. TOTALLY AGREE WITH "MR SIMPSON".
None of the teachers care, nobody wants to volunteer to run the cadet force.
Why should Mrs Craig respond to ONE e-mail? If she does then she would, logically have to respond to everyone!?!?
In response to "Richard"; yes, it doesn't cost the school that much, AT THE MOMENT, but after the military funding runs out in April, who is going to fund it? A school who's recent budget cut doesn't even allow the HE department enough money to continue the use of practical cookery?
All this for less than 5% of the school population? DON'T THINK SO!!
I think its absolutely shocking and childlike to be calling for Mrs Craig to 'step down' or as"mr Bill" terms her as being 'incompetent' - WTF? - nobody could do a better job than Mrs Craig!
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Donald McMillan
Unregistered User
Mar 16 10 07:38
Comment: 9569
I care, and I'm not alone.
Some of the teachers care and one is currently helping.
There are about 30 pupils enrolled in cadets, but its dying because it will close by Easter. The point is that with support it would have thrived.
If the head teacher was to bend a little the army would not be withdrawing funding. They have made this quite clear, and the CCF would have continued to cost the school nothing.
That is nothing Sir, not a penny, never has done.
And we will get over it, but isnt it a shame that our children have lost an opportunity.
Thanks for entering the debate.
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Mr Simpson
Unregistered User
Mar 21 10 00:37
Comment: 9673
I havent heard any teachers say they care about the cadets. noone in their right mind would give up there weekends to lead the cadets when they have marking and assesemnets to make and u only get paid for a set number of days and isnt enough money for the effort that is needed. The army and the school are the ones who actually cnt afford to run cadets anymore. They cutting the budgest becasuse of the "war on terror".
Solution to keep the cadets running.. FIND a rich person who cares.
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John
Unregistered User
Mar 24 10 12:50
Comment: 9756
Sadly what the article did reveal was more about the Head of Education for East Lothian. As a parent, I'm worried.
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Hannah
Unregistered User
Mar 24 10 22:24
Comment: 9772
Mr Simpson and Jim, unless you have anything constructive to say isn't it better to say nothing at all? You both seem quite happy to make argumentative and provocative comments yet can't even use corrent punctuation or grammar.
I feel that while Mrs Craig does the best she can in running the school, and has dramatically improved Knox sice she came to it, she could be doing far more to keep the cadets running. So yes; there are people who could do a better job than her.
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African McMillan
Unregistered User
Mar 27 10 06:47
Comment: 9858
Wow,Mr Simpson, you really seem to have something against the cadets. I'd love to know what it is that makes you feel so negative towards them.
As for us being a tiny minority,I'd like to say that at one point, before Mrs Craig became head, we were the biggest organisation with over 80 members. The ACF platoons in surrounding towns have only around 30 members so we do not have that many less than would be expected of the proposed ACF replacement.
Your negative and unconstructive attidude towards this debate shows a lack of maturity. Grow up.
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clarification
Unregistered User
Apr 3 10 01:02
Comment: 10114
The budget is not being permanently cut it is only being cut if NO SOLUTION is found (or until one is found). The budget can be brought back, as Brig. Alfrey stated during the Haddington CC meeting about the CCF issue, if his conditions are met. ( I am guessing you did not attend this meeting given your ignorance on this matter... To fill you in, it was standing room only... So many people 'cared' that no more 'caring' people could fit in the meeting room, @Mr Simpson & @Jim)
Calls for Janis Craig to resign are uncalled for she has done alot for the school, however as a Head Teacher she MUST respond to queries from parents regarding their child's education. Extra Curricular activities are a fundamental part of a student's education. She has not carried out this role. When the decision was made she effectively built a wall between her and any questions from parents, Parent Support Partnership, community, press, military, MSPs and MPs. (if you have time it is a 100ft wall 3ft thick with intricate carvings across the front and spikes on the top. The wall itself is made out of a lovely yellowish tan sandstone block. Whoops got distracted... back to the discussion)
I think if she had been more open with her intentions from the start a lot of this mess would have been avoided and we would not have needed Don Ledingham's pathetic and poorly reasoned attempt at an explanation (strangely letters from him have been much clearer and less cringe worthy (perhaps this was just The Courier...))
P.S. @Mr Simpson
The reason Knox Academy has/had the only state school CCF in Scotland is possibly related to its previous position as a Junior Officer Training Corps... In the United Kingdom however it is one among many CCFs in state schools... There were as of 2007:
- 60 (Six Zero in case you suspect a conspiracy or typo...) State School Army Sections
- 41 (Four One)State School RAF Sections
- 12 (One Two) State School Navy Sections
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm071029/text/71029w0075.htm#0710313000004
This clearly shows that the CCF is a sustainable organisation in both the public and private sector. It is not a case of finding a ‘RICH PERSON WHO CARES' the money exists already, it is mostly MoD spending with parents funding subsidised food and accommodation for trips the school provides some insurance (not all) and the accommodation on school premises.
P.S. @Jim The second part of your comment "Why should Mrs Craig respond to ONE e-mail? If she does then she would, logically have to respond to everyone!?!?" is correct... She should logically have to respond to every email it would not be hard all people are looking for is an acknowledgement that she has read their email. This is how emails are meant to work... Or she could have turned up to the Haddington CC meeting if she felt replying was too far below her...
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Robert Saxby
Unregistered User
Apr 8 10 11:00
Comment: 10250
It was a long time ago, but I still remember with pride my time in the CCF I still have my Royal artillery badge,(sorry QM).I think it was all worth while for me and my fellow cadets.I suppose it is all too hard and too much trouble now Sad really.
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Robert
Unregistered User
Apr 14 10 16:11
Comment: 10426
Jim & Mr Simpson obviously have no idea what they are talking about as everyone has explained above - this is a major problem as many people in higher places share such dimwitted, uneducated views and are so big-headed they refuse to research the facts.
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******
Unregistered User
Apr 14 10 16:12
Comment: 10427
This comment has been referred for moderation
