Headteachers/Senior Management. Advice please re dropping a GCSE subject

[hawleybits]

I posted a few weeks into the new academic year regarding my yr 11 DD and the fact she had been failed throughout the whole of yr 10 by her graphics teacher.

It would appear the teacher was an NQT who had only taught them 50% of the syllabus. The letter that was sent home to inform parents was, I feel, placing the blame with the students. It says:

"I am writing to inform you that dd's GCSE Graphics coursework asessment is lower than expected at this time in the course. The assessment is exactly accurate for 50% of the course that they should have completed at the end of year 10.

We are working with them to make rapid improvements to their coursework in lessons.

There is a responsibility and pace required from them to follow instructions and meet high expectations, if they do this they will make up to 4 levels progress and reach their target grade at the end of yeat 11."

It then goes on to say, there will be booster sessions after school and on two inset days during half term.

All this, from a school that was put into special measures by an ofsted inspection in 2012 but who, having been partnered by an outstanding local school, are now supposedly back on track and have made rapid improvement for the whole of 2013. All their emphasis is on tracking progress - so how was my dd so badly failed? Why was this NQT not assessed/monitored by her HOD?

Now, given the enormous workload dd already has, she wants to drop Graphics and concentrate her efforts on all her other chosen subjects. I am supporting her in this decision but the school are adamant she must continue.

My only option it seems is to complain to the governors but goodness knows how long that will take. This has been going on for several weeks. I feel like the school is closing ranks to cover this huge mistake and I don't stand much chance of success.

Any useful advice would be very much appreciated as I really don't know where I stand to be honest.

[catslife]

I think that schools in Special Measures aren't supposed to employ NQTs OP so yes I would complain to the governors (write to the Chair of Governors directly). Many governors meetings take place either just before (or just after) half term so it may be a good time to do this.
OFSTED would rank the school based on the results in key subjects such as Maths, English and Science, so I can't see that a DT result would make much difference. The main issue would be what your dd would do in the lessons timetabled for this subject. Is there a library or supervised study area where she could work on her other subjects?

[hawleybits]

I had no idea that schools in Special Measures aren't supposed to employ NQTs, that is an interesting point in itself catslife

WRT dd doing any independent study; the school tell me she cannot be accommodated anywhere in school for this which sounds to me like a bit of a bullying tatic. There is the LRC and I have given them a guarantee she will make the best possible use of her time.

She would like to spend the time on maths - having been 'chosen' to take Statistics in year 9 and effectively missing the best part of a year doing actual maths, in ored to concentrate on this. I am so frustrated.

[PenelopePitstops]

The issue is the supervision of her. Where does she go when those lessons are on. Plus it sets a precedent for other pupils.

There is no space for her elsewhere. Literally nowhere else. Schools aren't set up as a pick and mix. Let her continue with it and accept the grade.

[catslife]

This was certainly the case when dds primary school was in special measures OP. DH was a governor so have some idea what was involved. If the teacher was appointed before the school entered Special measures that could be the problem. If the main issue of concern was that the standard of teaching was inadequate then all the teachers should have been monitored more closely. This is the responsibility of governors and the leadership team.
The only other thing that could be done is that your dd still attends the timetabled lessons, but is not entered for the GCSE exam.

[hawleybits]

But the school have had students who have dropped subjects, I know of two and there are undoubetdly more.

I don't agree with letting her continue and accepting the grade. Why should she have a clutch of potentially very good grades and amongst them one that isn't, through no fault of her own? Not to mention the stress it is causing.

Setting a precedent for other pupils is a concern for the school.

[PenelopePitstops]

Did they actually drop subjects or is this just hearsay?

Tbh in a few years no one will ever look at it, she need never use it on an application form but for the sake of her getting through the year it may be worth her just finishing it as best she can. I did a food tech gcse and got a grade C. I was cooking roast dinners at home from age 12 but school refused to enter me for the higher paper. I now don't mention it ever and no one cares.

Setting a precedent is a huge concern for the school. One pupil drops a subject and suddenly there's a queue of 20 more asking to drop science/maths etc. It's unworkable.

[AtiaoftheJulii]

We asked about my dd dropping a subject at the beginning of y10, and got the "not practical, we don't do that" response. By the end of y10, actually they had a few kids who had droppedts, so at the beginning of y11 we went back in and asked again (and were ready to ask forcefully if needed!), and she did drop it. She had to go to the library, where she could be ticked off on the electronic register. Others were also in the library, or having catch up maths/English. This is a big school, 240/year. Tbh, seeing how they have cocked it up, they should be bending over backwards to help your dd imo. Even if she keeps going to lessons, I'm sure you have to agree to her being entered for the exam! Complain to the governors.

[MEgirl]

I have two DCs in Y11. One has already dropped a subject and the other one is about to drop a different subject. Seeing as they started with 10 this isn't going to cause a problem. The first one sits at the back of the classroom for the subject that has been dropped. I haven't yet heard about arrangements for the other one as it is a much smaller group.

[hawleybits]

Thank you all for your input and I do honestly see the story from both sides. I am however, very determined to support my dd.

I have just received an e mail from the headteacher, listing the procedure for complaints to the clerk of governors. I will be drawing it to the attention of the governors to see what, if anything, can be done.