We have just moved to a new area, and since we didn't know it at all, more or less had to take what we could get, property-wise (we are renting and just couldn't get down here quickly enough for viewings to snap up the best houses).
DS1 is due to start reception in September next year, and our catchment school is in special measures - it has improved at every report since it was put in special measures in 2011, but as far as I can gather it is not up to a better Ofsted rating yet. The two next nearest schools are over-sibscribed, and as we are well away from the catchment boundary (we are bang in the middle of our school's catchment area, about 1/4 mile from the school), I don't see us getting into them unless we move.
I am by no means wedded to an Outstanding Ofsted school, but I am wondering whether a school that is actually unsatisfactory as far as Ofsted is concerned is a huge mistake, and we should be looking at moving (arghhhhh, I hate moving). The only problem with that is that we won't be able to move until after applications close, as the 6 month lease on our house isn't up till then, so we would have to go through the transfer/appeal process.
In the 2011 report, the catchment school had 2s and 3s for things like moral etc, but 4 for class structure, teaching standards etc. These have improved, but not a huge amount, going by the interim letters to the head teacher on the Ofsted site. However, the school facilities are brilliant (unusual for schools round here), loads of space, modern buildings, playing fields etc (no idea how sporty DS1 will turn out to be, he doesn't exactly seem that keen at the moment, but then we are more of an outdoorsy than a sporty family, iykwim).
Anyway, I am going to see the school in the next week or two, but I am wondering whether even a great 'feeling' (if I get that) is enough to offset such a poor Ofsted rating? We are involved parents, perfectly happy to help with reading/writing etc at home, and I think DS1 is pretty smart (although v shy and quiet among his peers - another concern as this is quite a big primary at 350 pupils).
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Would it be ridiculous to send DCs to a school in special measures?
28 replies
Hopefully · 26/10/2012 16:40
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