SFG College Head Dee Conlon hits out at politicians: “If you’re not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem”
News / Sun 22nd Oct 2023 at 12:23pm
THE HEAD of Sir Frederick Gibberd College in Harlow has hit out at the minister for education over a tweet where she makes reference to schools being disrupted.
As you can see from below, the Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan MP issued a tweet where she made reference to the amount of school days lost due to strikes. Because of this, Ms Keegan said she was introducing a “minimum service level” in schools.
This clearly touched a nerve with Head, Dee Conlon who has spent the last two months dealing with the fall out regarding the closure of the £29 million school building up on Tendring Road due to safety issues.
On Friday afternoon, the school told parents and pupils that there may be a delay to the second half of the term. Pupils were due back on Monday October 30th.
Dee Conlon is regarded by many to be the spirit and guiding light of SFG College. The parents, pupils and staff buy in to her beliefs, her principles and her faith in the children. In short, ‘In Dee We Trust”.
But it appears that she was less than impressed with Ms Keegan, who is Harlow MP Robert Halfon’s boss.
But her anger wasn’t reserved for the Tories. She also responded to a YH news article, where Labour’s parliamentary candidate expressed his concerns regarding the situation.
We are inviting Mr Vince and Mr Halfon to respond.
Luke Burton
2023-10-22 12:47:44
Mrs Conlon is correct as per usual.
gary roberts
2023-10-22 13:01:02
Mrs.Conlon, a perfect response to the nonsense of most politicians who fail to consider every area of teaching in this country. Blaming strikes is a tactic used by this government in every public service and it is a disgrace. But that is why politicians today are treated with contempt. And of course the losers are the students.
Alderman Durcan
2023-10-22 15:17:56
Some interesting and valid points about council sites being available. Not sure it’s now feasible but why didn’t the council offer the old BHS building to be used as temporary accommodation. I believe there is still unoccupied office facilities on the enterprise zone that could have been easily adapted. Latton bush still has converted classroom Leisurezone was used for covid so why not education Learning in tents is not a solution. The wrong people are in charge of finding the solution.
Nicholas Taylor
2023-10-22 15:23:06
Just a thought, could space be made available at the Latton Bush Centre where at least some children could be taught and how about the Civic Centre where I understand most staff are working from home?
Phil
2023-10-22 16:25:23
Mrs C. What is Mr Halfon doing for you and the school right now? He is saying nothing, but what is he doing for you right now. He won’t speak, so maybe you can tell us. Mr Vince is interested and concerned for you and the children, don’t push away someone who wants to help. Is Mr Halfon helping and indeed doing what is actually his job? Tell us what he is doing? If not take Mr Vinces help. We all have you and the students future as our best interest. We want to help. Our MP appears not able to unless you tell us otherwise.
Sheila
2023-10-22 17:46:41
Mrs Conlon. The child referred to by Mr Vince is my grandson. We all want what is best for him, his fellow classmates and of course your teachers. Our MP remains quite, so why not accept support from Chris Vince and his colleagues. At least they are coming up with ideas to help. This needs to be sorted and quick for the future of my grandson and others. So if you know anything else that is not been said so far in support of Mr Halfon then tell us, otherwise accept a helping hand from those willing to help for the sake of our children. I am absolutely steaming about the whole situation, you’re in charge of the school, so do all you need to do to make this work for our children and you and your staff. Even if that means accepting help from others rather than the MP who is clearly incapable despite him having a privileged position in the DofE.
Sarah Hodges
2023-10-22 19:56:06
I bet the DFE doesn't want to spend any more money converting spaces into classrooms. Can't the council give spaces for free? I bet they're trying to rent them. They're sitting vacant, why not just let the school have it? Someone always makes money out of misery. You go Miss Conlan! #Indeewetrust
Voteforme
2023-10-22 22:53:20
Have just been reading about the GSK site on YH. Could that not be used
Year 7 Parent
2023-10-23 08:37:37
Want to start by saying the school staff have been amazing & my child has settled in nicely at Mark Hall for this year… Surely between the Leisurezone, STEM College, University Centre, Harlow College & Civic Centre (all within walking distance), there would be enough free space to make it work for years 10 & 11 at least as well as any vulnerable or SEN children. So many children go to school to escape abuse or to get their 1 free meal per day, just praying nothing bad happens to any of them & god forbids it does, then heads will hang!
Rob Furber
2023-10-23 08:43:20
Writing as someone who does get active in politics ( local and national ) Mrs Dee Colon writes a very good check, she does of course respond when my colleagues literally ask “what is it we can do to help”? When she sees us campaigning against ( frankly some awful administration by central government ) she does step in and write us to indicate where we can be more effective ?? Otherwise she does no more than score PR points for herself. Which she has done remarkably effectively in this case b
Robert Furber
2023-10-23 08:46:37
Writing as someone who does get active in politics ( local and national ) Mrs Dee Colon writes a very good check, she does of course respond when my colleagues literally ask “what is it we can do to help”? When she sees us campaigning against ( frankly some awful administration by central government ) she does step in and write us to indicate where we can be more effective ?? Otherwise she does no more than score PR points for herself. Which she has done remarkably effectively in this case b
Stephanie
2023-10-23 09:44:44
Mrs Conlon is correct when the news came out both members of each party come out saying how they are here to support and do everything possible since then where's the help ? They talk the talk but what she actually needs is help providing secure accomodation for her school, not political ping pong and point scoring between parties. We honestly do not care about politics we just want a school/accomodation that our children are safe & happy in.
Year 8 and 10 parent
2023-10-24 10:16:11
Rob Furber You clearly don't know Mrs C. And the reason you don't is because she is not one for media or PR for herself. But she is at the gate every morning and night when I drop off my 2 or pick them up. She replies my emails at the weekend and calls on a Sunday afternoon because my youngest is having a meltdown. She buys food at lunch for my son because I forgot to top up his lunch card. Did your hedteacher do this at school? I didn't even see mine. I have 2 children in SFG and they both love her. She goes above and beyond and so do her staff. She cares about the school not about promoting herself. If you think this is a PR stunt you're wrong. Doesn't seem like she even gave an interview, all she did was send a few replies on twitter. If she really wanted to PR herself she would be on national news. Sorry but we love her and considering what the school is going through I won't let anyone talk badly about her.
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