Latest news with #Whiteman
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
New phishing scam targets residents in the Carolinas
HICKORY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – The Better Business Bureau is getting more reports of a new phishing scam targeting people in the Carolinas. It reportedly starts with a phony 'process server' and a non-existent court case against you. Tish Whiteman lives in Hickory and tells Queen City News she recently experienced this. 'I was at work, and I answered my cell phone. It was a woman on the phone stating that she was a process server, and they were trying to serve me papers,' Whiteman said. 'They had some information on me. When I hung up my phone, I was getting phone calls from my ex-husband, my daughter out in California, my mother and some friends they had gotten the same phone call looking for me.' Whiteman wanted to share her story as a warning because she doesn't want anyone to fall victim. 'The woman told me that for every attempt or failed attempt that they made, it would be a $75 charge,' Whiteman said. Some of the friends the scammer reached out to, she hadn't spoken to in years. The same goes for her ex-husband. Whiteman said she is thankful she did not fall victim to this. 'There are people who will fall for the scam,' Whiteman said. 'Someone like my mother, who's 83 years old, would definitely fall for something like that and get nervous. She would probably have given them her credit card number or money and be out that money.' If you're on the phone with someone you don't know, and that person is pressuring you to make a decision or to act right now – hang up. BBB VP of Marketing and Communications Juliana O'Rork said it's likely a scam. 'That's a tactic used in a lot of scams and we're always warning people never feel super pressured to do anything,' O'Rork said. Juliana O'Rork from the BBB said data breaches happen all the time, so it's very easy for scammers to get your personal information. But because these scam artists have been calling your family members, she said let them know, too, that they could be impacted. 'That is another piece of this that's kind of been added to this is now it's not just you as an individual they're targeting. They're also targeting your friends and family,' O'Rork said. 'So what they might do is call you, you know, tell you all this stuff over the phone as far as you're going to be served and they can't give you any details because federal law prohibits that, but they want to confirm some of your personal information.' O'Rork warns not to confirm anything you're asked because that can help scammers verify more of your personal information that they may not already have. You can report scams like this to the BBB Scam Tracker. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Many schools are dealing with consequences of toxic masculinity each day
School leaders are having to deal with the consequences of toxic masculinity and online radicalisation every day, a headteachers' union chief has said. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders' union, called for politicians, families and school staff to work together to stop a generation of boys 'disappearing into a vortex of hatred and lies'. In a speech at the union's annual conference in Harrogate in North Yorkshire, Mr Whiteman highlighted television drama Adolescence which has prompted a national conversation about misogyny and online safety. Mr Whiteman warned that technology can 'isolate and divide' and create 'dangerous spaces' for children trying to find their identity in the world. Addressing hundreds of school leaders on Friday, Mr Whiteman said: 'The critically acclaimed Netflix drama Adolescence may have been a wake-up call for some, but its portrayal of toxic masculinity and online radicalisation came as no surprise to our members, many of whom have to deal with the consequences of these issues every day. 'Tackling those dangers takes real leadership from politicians, from families, from teachers and from school leaders too. 'Because if we're serious about stopping a generation disappearing into a vortex of hatred and lies, then we must work together to show them that decency, selflessness, kindness and honesty, show them that can offer the fulfilment and reassurance they're searching for.' In his speech, Mr Whiteman also reiterated calls for Ofsted to scrap its proposed changes for inspections. Schools in England could be graded across eight to 10 areas of a provision using a colour-coded five-point scale under Ofsted's plans. They would receive ratings, from the red-coloured 'causing concern' to orange-coloured 'attention needed', through the green shades of 'secure', 'strong' and 'exemplary' for each area of practice. The Government announced last year that headline Ofsted grades for overall effectiveness for schools in England would be scrapped. Previously, Ofsted awarded one of four single-phrase inspection judgments: outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate. The move came after Ofsted faced criticism following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry. Mrs Perry took her own life in January 2023 after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from the highest to the lowest overall effectiveness rating over safeguarding concerns. In his speech, Mr Whiteman said: 'Our own advice line has taken numerous calls over the years from distressed members— some feeling suicidal —because of this ineffective and needlessly punitive system. 'Following Ruth's death, we were promised change. 'What we've been offered, if you scratch beneath the surface, is more of the same – another crude grading system to hang over the heads of leaders.' Addressing school leaders from across the country, the NAHT chief said: 'The idea that Ofsted's model is the only way to assess schools is utter nonsense. 'Our colleagues in Wales and Northern Ireland will be the first to admit their systems aren't perfect, but the fact they offer something broader and more nuanced than a crude traffic light system proves there is more than one way.' Earlier this week, Julia Waters, Mrs Perry's sister, joined education professionals in an open letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson in asking for delays to the plans which she said were 'rushed'. On Saturday, NAHT conference delegates will debate a motion which calls for the introduction of Ofsted report cards to be opposed. It suggests that 'legal and industrial options' should be explored fully to protect the mental and physical health of school leaders and staff.
The Herald Scotland
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Many schools are dealing with consequences of toxic masculinity each day
In a speech at the union's annual conference in Harrogate in North Yorkshire, Mr Whiteman highlighted television drama Adolescence which has prompted a national conversation about misogyny and online safety. Mr Whiteman warned that technology can 'isolate and divide' and create 'dangerous spaces' for children trying to find their identity in the world. Addressing hundreds of school leaders on Friday, Mr Whiteman said: 'The critically acclaimed Netflix drama Adolescence may have been a wake-up call for some, but its portrayal of toxic masculinity and online radicalisation came as no surprise to our members, many of whom have to deal with the consequences of these issues every day. 'Tackling those dangers takes real leadership from politicians, from families, from teachers and from school leaders too. 'Because if we're serious about stopping a generation disappearing into a vortex of hatred and lies, then we must work together to show them that decency, selflessness, kindness and honesty, show them that can offer the fulfilment and reassurance they're searching for.' In his speech, Mr Whiteman also reiterated calls for Ofsted to scrap its proposed changes for inspections. Schools in England could be graded across eight to 10 areas of a provision using a colour-coded five-point scale under Ofsted's plans. They would receive ratings, from the red-coloured 'causing concern' to orange-coloured 'attention needed', through the green shades of 'secure', 'strong' and 'exemplary' for each area of practice. The Government announced last year that headline Ofsted grades for overall effectiveness for schools in England would be scrapped. Previously, Ofsted awarded one of four single-phrase inspection judgments: outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate. The move came after Ofsted faced criticism following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry. Mrs Perry took her own life in January 2023 after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from the highest to the lowest overall effectiveness rating over safeguarding concerns. In his speech, Mr Whiteman said: 'Our own advice line has taken numerous calls over the years from distressed members— some feeling suicidal —because of this ineffective and needlessly punitive system. 'Following Ruth's death, we were promised change. 'What we've been offered, if you scratch beneath the surface, is more of the same – another crude grading system to hang over the heads of leaders.' Addressing school leaders from across the country, the NAHT chief said: 'The idea that Ofsted's model is the only way to assess schools is utter nonsense. 'Our colleagues in Wales and Northern Ireland will be the first to admit their systems aren't perfect, but the fact they offer something broader and more nuanced than a crude traffic light system proves there is more than one way.' Earlier this week, Julia Waters, Mrs Perry's sister, joined education professionals in an open letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson in asking for delays to the plans which she said were 'rushed'. On Saturday, NAHT conference delegates will debate a motion which calls for the introduction of Ofsted report cards to be opposed. It suggests that 'legal and industrial options' should be explored fully to protect the mental and physical health of school leaders and staff.
Evening Standard
02-05-2025
- Evening Standard
Many schools are dealing with consequences of toxic masculinity each day
Addressing hundreds of school leaders on Friday, Mr Whiteman said: 'The critically acclaimed Netflix drama Adolescence may have been a wake-up call for some, but its portrayal of toxic masculinity and online radicalisation came as no surprise to our members, many of whom have to deal with the consequences of these issues every day.
The Independent
02-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Most schools have Send pupils in mainstream classes amid capacity issues
Around four in five school leaders have pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) in mainstream classes because of a lack of specialist places available, a survey suggests. The majority (94%) of school leaders in mainstream settings said meeting the needs of all their Send pupils is harder than last year, according to the snap poll by school leaders' union NAHT. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, said there is no higher priority now in the education sector than fixing the 'Send crisis'. He added that many school leaders and parents are 'frustrated' that schools currently cannot fully meet the needs of the Send pupils in their care. The findings were published during the NAHT's annual conference in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The poll of 873 NAHT members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland found that 82% said they have pupils where specialist provision has been agreed in their education, health and care plan, but they are in mainstream classes because there are no specialist places available. The survey, which ran between April 23 and 28, suggests 98% of leaders from mainstream settings said they do not have the resources to meet the needs of all their pupils with Send. The poll, of senior leaders in both mainstream and specialist schools, also received anonymous comments that highlighted the concerns about Send. One school leader said: 'We're a small school and we're stretched to breaking point. 'The number of children coming in to nursery and reception with Send issues has doubled over the last three years.' Another school leader said: 'Staff have to manage extremely difficult and stressful situations in class without enough support or specialist help and resources while trying to meet the needs of all the other children too.' Mr Whiteman said: 'School leaders are passionate about ensuring every child's needs are met. 'However, the needs of many pupils are becoming more complex, and the funding and resources are simply not there to meet that growing need. 'Our members are telling us that it is one of, if not the biggest issue in their schools. 'There is no higher priority now in education than fixing the Send crisis. 'Right now, too many schools have children who should be getting specialist support who are being let down by the lack of capacity and availability of places in the specialist sector. ' Schools are desperately trying to do their best for those pupils, but without access to the specialist help they need their hands are tied. 'We also know that many special schools are struggling to meet the demand on them for places and are massively oversubscribed. 'No-one who works in schools wants to ever feel like they are failing a child, but right now too many school leaders are frustrated that they can't fully meet the needs of the pupils in their care, and we know many parents are frustrated too.' Conference delegates will be debating a variety of motions over the weekend calling for more funding, training and support for educating Send pupils. A motion – which is due to be debated on Saturday – suggests an 'increasing number' of children whose needs would arguably be best met in a special school are being taught in mainstream schools. It calls on the NAHT's executive to urge the Government to commission a study to identify the number of children taught in a mainstream school who actually require a place in a special school. In March, Department for Education (DfE) figures suggested that around 8,000 more secondary school pupils were on roll in special schools in England than the reported capacity last year and around two in three special schools were 'at or over capacity' in the last academic year. The proportion of pupils with an education, health and care plan – which sets out the provision of Send support needed – that will need a place in specialist provision in England is 'forecast to increase' in the years to come, according to the Government publication. The Government, which has earmarked £740 million to increase places for Send pupils, is encouraging more provision for children with Send within mainstream schools and for classrooms to be adapted to be more inclusive. Mr Whiteman said: 'We are not opposed to the Government wanting mainstream schools to be inclusive, and school leaders take this duty really seriously. 'But they need more funding, resources and specialist staffing to be able to support their students appropriately and effectively.' DfE spokeswoman said: 'The evidence is clear that this Government inherited a Send system left on its knees – with too many children not having their needs met and parents forced to fight for support. 'It will take time, but as part of our Plan for Change, we are thinking differently about what the Send system should look like, to restore the confidence of families up and down the country and deliver the improvement they are crying out for so every child can achieve and thrive. 'We are already making progress by investing £1 billion into Send and £740 million to encourage councils to create more specialist places in mainstream schools, paving the way for significant, long-term reform.'
