What is corruption?

[russetbella1000]

Dramatic I know but just wondering what constitutes corruption these days?
I work in an academy which on the outside looks shiny and new and only com

[russetbella1000]

Not sure what happened there...
Anyway just wondered if you feel that things seem a tad dodgy who actually wants to know? Who can you tell? You hear all these stories saying whistleblowers need to be heard but honestly who really wants to rock the boat or indeed want that boat rocked?

Just heard today that as usual apparently in a particular phase at school 'the budget's gone'...And yet there was many thousands available at the start of term...it seems a new shed and some fencing 'had' to be built (there already was one but this has now been replaced by this new one).
This would I suppose be ok accept the head teachers partner's business was contracted to carry out the work!!

Maybe this is all innocent but how can I or indeed anyone see that this is ok?? I wouldn't care except there are really basic resources which are not being bought and naive NQTS being told they should buy their own post it notes!

Just makes me so angry and yet people still think schooling is education! It is not it is pure business-this fact would actually be fine if they were just honest about it. Instead you get hypocrisy and lies at the highest level...

Please do let me know if anyone might be interested in this though as it just doesn't sit right with me and my integrity I guess, won't let it go...

[winklewoman]

Try your local paper.

[LizzieVereker]

Is there a staff Governor whom you could approach? They might be able to shed ( no pun intended) some light on expenditure which might not be obvious.

[Clutterbugsmum]

The expenditure should have been agreed by the governoring body, also the pecuniary interest should have been completed as well. And to be fair this is also the end the financial year for the school. There budget year runs from April to end of March, but most school close budgets for spending in February.

You should also be able to get hold off the minutes for the meetings.

[Theknacktoflying]

What about having a word with the bursar or Governor as Lizzie suggests.

I don't know if 'corruption' would be better served by the word 'misappropriation'. There would have to be some records of if/how the job was sent out to tender

[neolara]

If you are concerned about potential financial irregularities, contact the governors. Or email [email protected] and ask for advice.

[russetbella1000]

Thank you for your replies.

I completely understand how there has to be some sort of trail for expenditure etc but as a teacher you are just not privy to that information and certainly if I made enquiries, questions would be asked...The same goes for approaching a governor.

Is there not some more public forum where funds can be seen etc. I understand governors would need to give the ok but ultimately is there no way you can just send an alert so that things can be a little more scrutinised?? If not it's certainly food for thought at how things can be 'misappropriated' fairly easily.

Honestly, when we ask if there are any more gluesticks or other basic resources etc it's like fort knox. The justification you're asked to give when you request a laminating pouch again is crazy and yet I struggle to see where anyone could make waves if declarations of interest haven't been made with regard building projects worth thousands!

[neolara]

The email address I gave above is from the department of educations Web page on fraud in academies. It might be worth sending them an email to get their views on head's partner being contracted to complete unnecessary work. I really think this is the way to go.

[russetbella1000]

Yes thank you I just did that :0)

[sleepingdragon]

Your OP reminded me of some articles in the news in the last month or so about academies paying substantial sums to private firms connected to the founders/governors, all seemingly within the funding rules www.theguardian.com/education/2014/jan/12/taxpayer-funded-academy-paying-millions-private-firms-schools-education-revealed-education

[wetaugust]

They are spending public money so should be able to prove that they had offered the work to tender and that they selected the best bid. The only exceptions are when the amounts are too low to warrant it or on the grounds of national security.

Giving the work to your partner's company is wrong.

[Fairyliz]

Academy budgets run from 1st sept to 31st August so not at the end of the financial year at the moment.
The accounts for previous years should be on the website along with a value for money statement
The finance committee should agree bids for work over a certain limit.
Are you sure the school didn't get preferential rates from heads partner? They may have been the cheapest quote.