If you try to remove all risk there is no science. Bring back Mr West!
M
Michael Merrifield
12 years ago
As a professor in a physics department, I confirm that such live demonstrations are what inspire children to study physics. Unfortunately, there is always a risk associated with experiments, since physics is, as the name suggests, physical. Would the school sack a PE teacher if one of the pupils sprained an ankle? As long as the teacher took all reasonable steps to mitigate the risks, he should not be facing any disciplinary action let alone be dismissed. Even if he fell short of the required standard, dismissal of an otherwise-exemplary teacher for such a lapse is a ridiculous over-reaction, presumably because a gun was involved leading to knee-jerk panic. Please reconsider this action for the benefit of your pupils, and, ultimately, the country, which needs as many inspiring physics teachers as it can get.
B
Bekki Doyle
12 years ago
Wouldn't have got an A in PHYSICS if it wasn't for Mr West's great teaching and support. It's crazy how the school can keep teachers who are boring and make no impact on the lives of students but dismiss a teacher who put the needs of his students first, inspired us and made learning so much fun purely because of an accident. This decision has caused much more harm than good.
F
Fredi Yates
12 years ago
A teacher who actually brings something interesting to class should get fired. At least Mr West tried to get his class involved in something that wasn't just a book!
P
Phillip Fawcett
12 years ago
a sad thing place we've come to when talent and years of dedicated service goes out the window because of the Health and Safety book (which is more dangerous than Mr West's experiment ever was!)
A
Anonymous
12 years ago
no harm to the child just an accident
G
Ginny Speed
12 years ago
You ask teachers to engage with pupils, to make lessons interesting, to capture imagination, to inspire here is someone who has. Don't let a good man go!
A
Anonymous
12 years ago
We need to address ridiculous decisions like this before it is too late and sets a dangerous precedent
R
Richard Vernon
12 years ago
With over 3,600 likes, nearly 1,900 signed the petition and it's across the national and international media. So the governors decision has been shown to be disastrously wrong, not just by pupils current and past, but parents, the general public and the media. Wrong on common sense, morality, the ethos and mission statement of the school, in fact wrong on all levels. If this were in government or the private sector, we'd all be screaming for resignations. Governors, show some dignity and do the right thing now. Reverse this decision, give Mr West his job, his dignity and life back, and stop pulling a great school down.
S
Stephanie Frost
12 years ago
I was taught by Mr West in the early 90's. I name him as my favourite teacher and one of the inspirations behind my love of science and undoubtedly one of the reasons why I became a teacher myself. I cannot comment on this incident but I do know that teachers that leave their pupils with lifelong memories and instill a passion for learning science are few and far between, and this shouldn't be underestimated. The outcome of this incident is unacceptable, however, in a time where capturing young imaginations is increasingly challenging, I'd commend any teacher for thinking out of the box and bringing science to life. I would question if the school has considered all other possible sanctions, rather than lose a talented educator.
R
Richard Curtis
12 years ago
Accidents happen, as teachers we have to make learning enjoyable for students, this means an inevitable risk. A knee jerk reaction like this does nothing to support teachers, pupils or parents. Speaking as a Head of Design and Technology myself. I would not be where I am without this teacher's input when I was a student.
A
andrew foxall
12 years ago
i went to st eddies but i had this guy for one year of sixth form..brilliant teacher, brilliant human being..he should be used as an example for all aspiring teachers on how to engage with a classroom and really get the students learning the fun way!
L
L Hammond
12 years ago
Grossly unfair and pulling down the school name. Let the kids have good teachers.
H
Hayley Asprey
12 years ago
How ridiculous- poor guy trying to keep it interesting, he's a great teacher!
O
Oss Bozier
12 years ago
Intent is everything. Trying to inspire is vital to engage young people.
P
Paul Pentin
12 years ago
People like Mr West inspired me to do science and engineering. All my teachers made science interesting and exciting. They took calculated risks as I am sure his teachers did 40 years ago. Stop the blame culture, we are allowing everything to be controlled by the fear of liability. I hope Mr West gets back to teaching ASAP. His students need him and they must feel terrible about what has happened!
D
Dave May
12 years ago
Sacking this member of staff sends the message that this is another low risk, high blame culture school. This doesn't support the staff, nor the students- it keeps the management's nose clean. Well, parents, is this the sort of school you wish to send your children to?
R
Robert Durrant
12 years ago
Much worse judgement was displayed by those who sacked this man than he himself displayed in making a miscalculation during a well-intentioned demonstration. The only 'gross misconduct' involved was by the disciplinary panel. They should behave like grown-ups, realise that their self-righteous blood lust was misguided, and reinstate him at once! Not to do so would be an outrageous miscarriage of justice.
S
Susi Andu
12 years ago
St Peter don't forget the christian ethos of the school, it was a mistake.
R
Richard Warren
12 years ago
Astonished to read about this today. As an ex-member of staff at SP I can say that Richard has always been a top teacher and an entirely professional colleague. Let's hope the appeal is successful
If you try to remove all risk there is no science. Bring back Mr West!
As a professor in a physics department, I confirm that such live demonstrations are what inspire children to study physics. Unfortunately, there is always a risk associated with experiments, since physics is, as the name suggests, physical. Would the school sack a PE teacher if one of the pupils sprained an ankle? As long as the teacher took all reasonable steps to mitigate the risks, he should not be facing any disciplinary action let alone be dismissed. Even if he fell short of the required standard, dismissal of an otherwise-exemplary teacher for such a lapse is a ridiculous over-reaction, presumably because a gun was involved leading to knee-jerk panic. Please reconsider this action for the benefit of your pupils, and, ultimately, the country, which needs as many inspiring physics teachers as it can get.
Wouldn't have got an A in PHYSICS if it wasn't for Mr West's great teaching and support. It's crazy how the school can keep teachers who are boring and make no impact on the lives of students but dismiss a teacher who put the needs of his students first, inspired us and made learning so much fun purely because of an accident. This decision has caused much more harm than good.
A teacher who actually brings something interesting to class should get fired. At least Mr West tried to get his class involved in something that wasn't just a book!
a sad thing place we've come to when talent and years of dedicated service goes out the window because of the Health and Safety book (which is more dangerous than Mr West's experiment ever was!)
no harm to the child just an accident
You ask teachers to engage with pupils, to make lessons interesting, to capture imagination, to inspire here is someone who has. Don't let a good man go!
We need to address ridiculous decisions like this before it is too late and sets a dangerous precedent
With over 3,600 likes, nearly 1,900 signed the petition and it's across the national and international media. So the governors decision has been shown to be disastrously wrong, not just by pupils current and past, but parents, the general public and the media. Wrong on common sense, morality, the ethos and mission statement of the school, in fact wrong on all levels. If this were in government or the private sector, we'd all be screaming for resignations. Governors, show some dignity and do the right thing now. Reverse this decision, give Mr West his job, his dignity and life back, and stop pulling a great school down.
I was taught by Mr West in the early 90's. I name him as my favourite teacher and one of the inspirations behind my love of science and undoubtedly one of the reasons why I became a teacher myself. I cannot comment on this incident but I do know that teachers that leave their pupils with lifelong memories and instill a passion for learning science are few and far between, and this shouldn't be underestimated. The outcome of this incident is unacceptable, however, in a time where capturing young imaginations is increasingly challenging, I'd commend any teacher for thinking out of the box and bringing science to life. I would question if the school has considered all other possible sanctions, rather than lose a talented educator.
Accidents happen, as teachers we have to make learning enjoyable for students, this means an inevitable risk. A knee jerk reaction like this does nothing to support teachers, pupils or parents. Speaking as a Head of Design and Technology myself. I would not be where I am without this teacher's input when I was a student.
i went to st eddies but i had this guy for one year of sixth form..brilliant teacher, brilliant human being..he should be used as an example for all aspiring teachers on how to engage with a classroom and really get the students learning the fun way!
Grossly unfair and pulling down the school name. Let the kids have good teachers.
How ridiculous- poor guy trying to keep it interesting, he's a great teacher!
Intent is everything. Trying to inspire is vital to engage young people.
People like Mr West inspired me to do science and engineering. All my teachers made science interesting and exciting. They took calculated risks as I am sure his teachers did 40 years ago. Stop the blame culture, we are allowing everything to be controlled by the fear of liability. I hope Mr West gets back to teaching ASAP. His students need him and they must feel terrible about what has happened!
Sacking this member of staff sends the message that this is another low risk, high blame culture school. This doesn't support the staff, nor the students- it keeps the management's nose clean. Well, parents, is this the sort of school you wish to send your children to?
Much worse judgement was displayed by those who sacked this man than he himself displayed in making a miscalculation during a well-intentioned demonstration. The only 'gross misconduct' involved was by the disciplinary panel. They should behave like grown-ups, realise that their self-righteous blood lust was misguided, and reinstate him at once! Not to do so would be an outrageous miscarriage of justice.
St Peter don't forget the christian ethos of the school, it was a mistake.
Astonished to read about this today. As an ex-member of staff at SP I can say that Richard has always been a top teacher and an entirely professional colleague. Let's hope the appeal is successful