Dear Editor, 

We hope this letter finds you well. We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the recent coverage of the headteacher of a local secondary school in your publication.

While I understand the importance of journalistic freedom, it is disheartening to witness the unfair representation of an individual without due consideration for the accuracy and consequences of the information presented.

It has come to our attention that Mr Tailor’s image has been consistently portrayed alongside negative articles, with the content largely derived from unsubstantiated opinions circulating on social media. 

The impact of such coverage extends beyond the pages of your publication, reaching far wider than the local community where Mr Tailor serves. The chain of negative stories appears to have been employed to incite responses from sections of the community that may lack context about the school and its ways of working. It is imperative to recognise that the methodologies employed by the school are not isolated routines but are increasingly common practices across secondary schools nationwide. A minimal background research effort by the journalist would have revealed this pertinent information.

All headteachers, including Mr Tailor, are working diligently to provide leadership in schools amidst decreasing budgets and a recruitment crisis, and responding to children’s needs emerging from Covid.

It is troubling that your publication chooses to focus on the personality rather than the professional efforts of these individuals. If significant concerns arise, there are established mechanisms, including but not limited to Ofsted, to address them.

However, a trial by media is not one of these mechanisms and only serves to damage reputations without due process. Teachers and Headteachers in common with other professions make decisions to move roles for a wide variety of reasons and for you to infer negativity surrounding this decision is both inaccurate and unfair.

Mr Tailor, in our view, deserves recognition for his service and leadership in the community which you only acknowledged after those with experience of his leadership and commitment commented upon in opposition to your article’s narrative.

We implore your editorial team to reconsider the approach taken in reporting on educational professionals. We, as educators, accept accountability through various frameworks, including Ofsted, which focus on our professional work rather than personality. Your current reporting strategy not only misguides the public but may deter potential teachers from considering roles in the area, thereby negatively impacting the local education system.

Before publishing stories with potential consequences, I encourage you to read the coroner’s report into the death of a local headteacher, a truly tragic incident. Reflecting on the ramifications for the press in this context should underscore the importance of responsible journalism.

I trust that you will take this letter into consideration and ensure that future reporting adheres to the principles of fairness, accuracy, and accountability.

Liz Cook
Headteacher Kings Academy Easthampstead Park

Katie Moore
Headteacher King Academy Binfield

Keith Grainger
Principal Garth Hill College

Jennifer Baker
Headteacher Kennel Lane School

Timothy Griffith
Headteacher Ranelagh School

Stuart Matthews
Headteacher Edgbarrow School

Gareth Croxon
Headteacher Sandhurst School

EDITOR’S response - The News has a longstanding history of championing local schools and celebrating their wins as well as shining a light on legitimate issues and concerns where needed. I thank the above headteachers for taking the time to write in about this subject.

First and foremost it is important to state, local newspapers are vital platforms where the public - and indeed parents - can speak up. It is through trusted journalism that changes and improvements can be made.

While we are a vocal champion of Bracknell and the education community, it is not our job to paint anyone in a good - or bad - light. It is our job to tell the truth. And regrettably in recent years the truth has been there have been many disgruntled parents at one school in particular.

The above letter is inaccurate - it was not from ‘unsubstantiated opinions circulating on social media’ but from several interviews with legitimate parents, unconnected with each other, who shared similar stories that corroborated each other.

We have repeatedly invited the school in question and its former headmaster to meet us, see left. But if parties are unwilling to speak, it makes things more difficult all round.

I welcome this letter and hope it is a step in the right direction in terms of improving accessibility and communication with headteachers locally.