Advice from parents whose kids go to poor or failing schools

[bumpyboo]

We live in an area where almost all the schools are vastly oversubscribed. The LEA have admitted that there are not enough places for kids in this area. The one school that is near to us and not oversubscribed is in terrible condition, was due to be demolished and a new school built but now that has been scrapped and the funding removed. They have a low ofsted (3) and low results. The classrooms are dirty and feel depressing compared to other schools. I have met some of the teachers there and they did not seem enthusiastic to say the least.
Unfortunately I think my DD will end up getting offered a place there which we would have to take as we cannot afford to go private. Does anyone have any experience of sending their children to a school like this and what would you suggest we as parents could do to try and help the school.

[Hathor]

bumping for you

[IndigoBell]

A 3 by ofsted doesn't mean anything. Nor does the state of the buildings.

However unenthusiastic teachers is a huge red flag.

What can you do?

• Join the PTA and raise as much money as you can for the school.
  
• Become a parent governor and hold the HT to account.
  
• Read with your child every day....
  
• Be enthusiastic about the school.
  

You can keep your childs name on the waiting list for all the other schools while still going to this school. Hopefully it's not nearly as bad as it appears.

Schools can turn around (or go downhill) really quickly. All you need is a movtivated and inspiring HT....

[ninah]

totally agree with indigobell
fwiw dcs school is good aspiring to ofsted outstanding but I have concerns and if/when I change it won't be influenced by ofsted

[emptyshell]

I know of one school that got a "notice to improve" on Ofsted based on a paperwork mess left by the previous head (Ofsted rolled in first full-week in September). Now the current head is one I've worked for and consider a friend, whom I have utter faith in in terms of running a school and getting the best out of her staff because she's fantastic - but looking at Ofsted you'd run a mile (and some parents did).

The feeling in the school is much better as an indicator of how the place is than an Ofsted report - some schools are very very good at playing the Ofsted game sadly.

State of the buildings - possibly worth checking if there's a new building in the works (although it might have been temporarily curtailed by the budget cuts). I know a few schools over the years that I've been in and thought "ewww grotty" - but then have gone back and they've moved into fantastic new purpose built buildings (or fantastically shiny badly-designed buildings by people without a clue what schools actually need), or been dramatically internally revamped or have this on the cards.

[Tinuviel]

We were in this situation some years ago - we home educate! I work 2 days a week; DH does his week over 4 days so he has 1 day at home and we have someone come in for the 5th day. Budget is still tight and we can't afford to move but everyone is happy and all 3 DCs are getting an education that suits them!

[vess]

My kids go to a similar school - well, the building is ok and not due to be demolished(could use some TLC!) and ofsted is satisfactory, alhough it is improving. It has lots of good points and some great teachers. Discipline is very good and all the kids are polite and well-mannered. We came back from abroad halfway through the last school year, so no choice - but I was pleasantly surprised.
Bad points - not many after school activities/sports, and not much help if you're struggling or too advanced. But all in all ok - could be better, but not awful at all.

[bumpyboo]

Thanks all for your replies. I do agree that ofsted isn't everything and if it was just that I wouldn't have been too concerned. It is just the general air of malaise and dirtyness and lack of facilities. No sign of the HT wanting to show prospective parents around unlike all the other schools I have visited. There is no library, I could go on but I think I should be more positive and do what Indigobell suggests.