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Education

Junior school on special measures....

15 replies

talcy0 · 03/07/2007 21:37

Posted recently re. dd1 and dd2's new school.

Ofsted report very damning...school put on special measures.

Many responses were very positive, some were not.....but all were interesting.

Went to introduction evening tonight....

Was hugely relieved to see how positive the staff were.

New headmaster on his way....changes in rules and motivation.

Hopefull twill all be fine
Just wanted to let you all know. Thanks.

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spudmasher · 03/07/2007 21:40

They will appreciate your support
I have taught in a school in special measures.
I can tell you what they can expect if you would like...
Don't know how much you know...
Don't want to bore you!

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talcy0 · 03/07/2007 21:45

Yes please spudmasher.....really want to be involved......these are my only two dds, 7 and 8, both moving up at same time.....so never done this before.

Felt sick when first read ofsted report,....feel strangely motivated now

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CarGirl · 03/07/2007 21:47

junior school dd is at failed 2/3 ofsteads in a row, people left in droves. DD has done fantastically there although get this the last time it failed on being "not good value for money" because it has debts.........exactly what does that have to do with education????

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spudmasher · 03/07/2007 21:50

I've just remembered it is acyually two schools!!!
I'm not a crap teacher- honest!

Well, lets put it into pros and cons....
PROs.
The school will receive a huge boost in finances.
It will be involved in every exciting project going on locally.
It will be in the newspaper a lot.
Your children will get to do lots of exciting things.
The school will get intensive support depending on the areas which caused concern- be it management, attainment or whatever.

CONS.
Not many for the children really other than the fact that the school will be inspected by HMI on a termly basis which can be stressful for the teachers.

Do you know why it wasput into SM in the first place?

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talcy0 · 03/07/2007 21:56

Thanks cargirl...tis good to hear...except the debt thing of course.

Will try link you to ofsted report, spudmasher.
thanks for your response......am so glad we didn't panic and change schools now

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talcy0 · 03/07/2007 22:02

school\121\s512108920070515.xmlofsted

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talcy0 · 03/07/2007 22:03

school\121\s512108920070515.pdfnd ofsted...

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talcy0 · 03/07/2007 22:06

right, off to bed...thanks all

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CarGirl · 03/07/2007 22:06

can I recommend if you can get the info looking at what level in key stage pupils are going in with. Our junior looked like it had bad results but in reality they have a large majority of children starting with a key stage 1 lower than national average and are pulling them to above that at key stage 2 - if that makes sense.

Kind of if you've 80% poor achievers to start with and you get 50% to average then the results look bad but in fact you've really done marvellous given what you started with?

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spudmasher · 03/07/2007 22:11

Well, I think your children will benefit greatly from this.
Better for the school to be boosted by being put in SM than just left to struggle on with little support or just LEA support.

Talcy0 the school will be so pleased you are giving your support as I would imagine they are all feeling a bit sore and battle worn at the moment.Some of the teachers have obviously been working their backsides off only to be told they are inadequate.

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Reallytired · 03/07/2007 22:36

I hope the new head improves things. I think you are very brave sending your children to a school that is in special measures.

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duchesse · 03/07/2007 22:47

Cargirl- "value for money is almost the major focus for Ofsted.

A school can fail for having inadequate documentation, or simply not being run the way Ofsted likes. Ofsted reports hardly ever give a representative picture of a school as most "well-run" schools spend 6 months preparing for them, and that's what Ofted expects.

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CarGirl · 03/07/2007 22:50

I think ofsted reports are pretty much a waste of time and money, I was appalled that things like "Children participate fully in class, are clearly motivated, progress above what is expected, feel safe, no evidenc of bullyiing" etc etc etc is measured against it's balance sheet financial status - which is just paper value anyway! I was livid!

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duchesse · 03/07/2007 22:53

Ofsted is basically just a system designed to scare schools into compliance with the "party line", that there is only one way to run a school and a classroom well- their way. As such, it's pretty effective, although a few heads are beginning to rebel against them.

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talcy0 · 04/07/2007 08:29

Thankyou all so much for your responses and comments, the acting headmaster..a teacher from the school admitted last night that it was a big shock for them, but also that it was a well needed kick up the bum!

The children are really looking forward to going to their new school.