RANT: blooming school putting on show for OFSTED

[bonkerz]

Ok so this may turn into a long rambling rant but ive got to get it out!!

DS is 6 and the youngest in his class. Reception year was no problem. Year 1 he failed to really settle in and was in a class with children almost a year older than himself due to his above average intelligence. In the final term of Year 1 DS was suspended for a day due to having a major tantrum. This was never followed up and also was like a bolt out of the blue as until that it hadnt been mentioned that DSs behaviour had become so extreme at school! Didnt get on with his teacher in Year 1 and every time i asked her about what was happening she didnt have time to talk with me!
Year 2 started off great and his teacher seemed approachable but gradulally we have reached a point where i am so fed up of the school. DS is not an angel and he is the oyungest again in his class by 12 weeks, most of his friends are already 7 but DS is not 7 till end of July. The behaviour they are mentioning at school seems to be totally extreme, DS is aggressive and violent and in thier words a health and safety issue! At home we see none of this excessive behaviour so im finding it hard to see what they mean.
For months now i have been fighting to get him assessed by the SEN but because DS has above average intelligence they dont seem to think he needs it! I am constantly told they do not have enough staff to remove him from the class when he has a mood and they have rang me when he is having a paddy to come and get him. The little boy i have picked up is unrecognisable to me! Currently i am in contact with the school nurse who has observed DS in school and at home and she has noted that she feels it is a problem at school only. The school have been asked to statement him and assess for aspergers BUT this seems to be taking forever to happen and the communication is still a big problem! We have a home/school book but the teacher fails to write in it atleast 3 times a week.

The point of this post............
Today and tomorrow OFSTED are inspecting and mirraculously my son has been in one to one teaching all day! I am furious!!! If they can offer this attnetion infront of OFSTED then why not more regularly at school? What makes me more angry is my friend is on Board of governers and often goes to help in class. The school asked me to go in and work with DS but i work full time and cant afford not to so my friend offered to go in 2 days a week, she was told last week that it wouldnt be necessary for her to work with DS.

So what sshould i do? Feel like going in tomorrow and finding an inspector and telling them my son is normally left in class in full veiw of other children and being punished in front of them. Also want to tell OFSTED that support and help is not offered because my sons problem is behavioural and not academic.

Did you understand any of that?

Sorry rant over.....

[whatkatydidntdo]

I would be tempted to ask to speak to an inspector.

[bonkerz]

im just so annoyed that they have the nerve to make me feel guilty about not going in to help with my son because they dont have the staff and then find a member of staff just for the OFSTED visit! Surely OFSTED want to view a normal day?

[hana]

during an inspection, all parents are sent out a confidential survey about the school - this doesn't go back to the school at all, goes straight to the inspectors. Haven't you been given one of those? I'd def do that, but also tell the school how you're feeling as well, they need to know and to improve upon what they are currently doing - or not - with regards to your son

[coppertop]

A school cannot diagnose Aspergers. I would suggest asking your GP for a referral to see a developmental paed for an assessment.

I would definitely be telling OFSTED that what they saw doesn't usually happen. You should've been sent a letter/form to fill in with your comments about the school. These are supposed to be anonymous IIRC.

[bonkerz]

was given the report thing and did fill it in and worte aletter to accompany it BUT that only said I was unhappy about communication and lack of support etc. Obviously now im fuming as i have been fighting for more support in class for him and being told its not available only for it to be there inforont of OFSTED!!!!! BTW Dss behaviour is 100% improved when working on a one to one basis and being kept busy, DS needs to be challenged mentally and he does extra work with the TA.

[bonkerz]

with regards the aspergers thing, YES ds does show some signs of this but only when at school. The school nurse has been out and said the school first need to document his behaviour and the statement him beofre i can go to the doctors as i dont know what his behaviour is REALLY like at school as it is so extreme.

[Blandmum]

Agree with Coppertop, the school cannot diagnose anything let alone something as complex as Apergers. A condition like that doesn't just affect school either, it is a very pervasive condition.

[LizP]

Last term there was an inspection in the dss school - they flooded the classes with helpers and the staff appeared in the playground at lunchtime. But the inspector asked the kids if there were normally that number of people in the class rooms and they said 'No' so I don't think they fooled him. Also on my survey I had a phone number for if I wanted to speak to the inspector - I would definately talk to the inspector if I was in your position.

[bundle]

Ofsted inspected our school last year and did a parents' questionnaire at the same time as the formal inspection, which I'd imagine is quite routine, you could voice your concerns there

[gigglinggoblin]

do you know you can apply for a statement yourself? the school my ds was at was useless, very similar stuff happening and they refused to apply on the grounds they didnt think he would get one, even tho he was on the verge of being expelled. i applied for a statement and it went through within a couple of months, no problems at all. unfortunately it came the day after i was asked to voluntarily remove him but having now changed schools he is like a different child. he has aspergers, we have been waiting to see someone to diagnose for over a year but his new school and i both agree that is the problem and he is now being treated as tho he has a diagnosis and is doing extremely well.

i used the lancashire parent partnership website to tell me how to apply, i assume every county has one of these, they are very helpful. the lea lied to me several times (big fat whopping lies) so dont expect any help from them. i would def ring ofsted and ask to speak to whoever inspected the school.

[bonkerz]

thanks everyone for the advice. Went in today and asked the teacher why my son had a TA with him all day yesterday (infront of the OFSTED lady) and teacher was highly embarrassed or mortified when i said that i was pleased he was now getting some extra help and hoped it would continue or was it just to make an impression on OFSTED!!!!
Have rang county hall today and also referred myself to parents in partnership. Have also rang Ed psych and asked to self refer. Am determined im gonna get and answer and some help from that school or i will start looking to relocate him to a school that actually helps children like my DS.
Am still fuming and very emotional about the whole thing.

[pretendmum]

Go and speak to the inspectors if they are still there. My last school had an OFSTED inspection (secondary) and I was a pupil there and you wouldnt believe how they paper over the cracks to get a good report. They bribe pupils to behave well, only put the goody two shoes in on the OFSTED meetings between inspectors and pupils, re-alligned the whole management system for a week and put pretty pictures on the wall. It was a farce, the teahers knew the report was false and so did the pupils but I have no doubt this happens in many other schools.

[bonkerz]

am still wondering if i should go in and talk to head mistress when i go get DS and just mention (in a loud voice infront of OFSTED) that i have rang county hall and also have referred myself to parents in partnership and want a date for a meeting ASAP. County hall suggested i leave it till ofsted have gone but i feel that although i know how stressful OFSTED can be (i am a childminder and deal with them myself!) the school have had this problem for nearly 2 years!!!!

[whatkatydidntdo]

I have just witnessed this too with an Pre-school inspection, suddenly extra staff brought in and the children made healthy snacks to eat and had a proper story time.
Its back to normal now

[pretendmum]

I would say something, my experience of schools etc is only having been a pupil but your son has the right to a proper education which he isnt getting at the moment. From what you say this is an ongoing problem which is only covered up becaue OFSTED are there so ask the headteacher whether your son will have one to one tutoring on a regular basis and force her into admitting it was a short term arrangement or saying she is going to carry on trying to help your son. Either way it forces her to admit to something she would rather not in front of the inspectors. Otherwise do it afterwards and let her know you have made contact with County Hall.

[mankyscotslass]

Pretendmum, I'm with you on that one....i would say something too, but only because it has been an extended issue with no resolution.

[bonkerz]

have just been on our council website and am now printing info on everything that SHOULD have been done by now ie IEP and SEN assessment if his behaviour is as bad as they say it is! Will go in when i pick up DS and just question head about it all. HAve got to start being pro active rather than emotional about it all. My son is no angel but he is not the child they are making him out to be and i do feel like they just cant be bothered!

[skiwear]

Good for you Bonkerz. I had heard all the "difficult" ones get sent on school trips when Ofsted come calling.

[skiwear]

Not wanting to imply your son is difficult. Hope you know what I mean

[cece]

If he has behaviour issues he should have an IEP and certainly be on the Special neds register.


In schools I have worked in I have worked with colleagues from the behaviur team - who come and help teachers set up a programme of behaviour imrpovement....

[RustyBear]

"only put the goody two shoes in on the OFSTED meetings between inspectors and pupils"
Are you sure about this? In our inspection, the inspectors chose the pupils they wanted to talk to.