Winston

Debi, I have so much to say in response - but probably not very clever to say it in a public forum, when these issues are under investigation. One of our ex union reps - who I won't name here - was hoping to meet with you after she gets back from holiday and tell you everything, so I will join her if that's ok. I've actually made 6 A4 sides of notes in preparation so brace yourself! I'm afraid the face of senior management you see is not the full story and these are not isolated incidents independent of senior management, but rather because of them (1 in particular). May also be worth speaking to Michael Davern, the southwark union rep, who knows a lot more about what goes on behind the scenes and the level of bulling and harrassment that takes place for those who speak out. All I can say is, it's pretty chilling and that so many teachers have left well paid management jobs for a reason, including myself! Will leave it at that for now - I'm still just so happy to be out of there and no longer too frightened to tell the truth!

Mrs Integrity - thanks for your support, I so admire you for revealing what so many other teachers were too scared to. Debi - one of my ex year 11s has told me they saw the comments on the Evening Standard and have posted statements about their own experiences of cheating at Kingsdale. They have also sent these to the exam board. As my own experiences of having witnessed this have failed to convince you, perhaps you will also be unconvinced by this eyewitness statement, but I thought I would draw your attention to it nonetheless. I am not trying to undermine you as a person, I have a lot of respect for you - just trying to make you see that parents are not always the ones who see a school for what it really is. However all this is academic as the evience has been sent and the outcome lies with the exam board. I am sure justice will be done and sincerely hope this will not adversely affect students.

Debi, I have taught both of your lovely sons and met you several times where you spoke highly of me as teacher. I am hoping that, as you respect me as a teacher, you will also respect my opinion. I know you have championed the school for a long time and are highly valued by senior management, however that does not change the fact that these allegations not malicious. Malpractice and bullying are the reason why many of the staff, including myself, have now left the school. Kingsdale has many fantastic students and staff, but cheating does take place under the orders of certain senior managers - this is a genuine accusation and the evidence has been sent to the exam board. The whistleblowers are not bitter or malicious - they are outstanding teachers and honourable people who know that this malpractice can no longer go on. The decision was not taken lightly. With respect, as a middle class parent of two able kids, you are so useful as a PR device that you are unlikely to be let in on what we teachers see behind the scenes. Getting in a more 'aspirational' cohort has been the head's aim for many years and we are told in managers meetings to do whatever it takes to ensure we get the kind of exam results that will make middle class parents feel confident enough to send their offspring here. The head has catagorically said that every student should get 'much more than they deserve' in order to make our lives easier with a cushier cohort in the long run. Any teacher who didn't agree with this was described as a 'fool' and advised to 'look elsewhere for a place to work.' It seems certain senior managers took the 'whatever it takes' speech a little too literally as false coursework grades and doctored exam scripts are something teachers have seen and cannot ignore. I hope you will at least consider that the whistleblowers have a point.