So my dd's school has just gone into special measures, any views?

[Fimbo]

My dd is in year 10, so only 1 year to go. The Ofsted report is damning but doesn't come as a huge surprise, the leadership team is crap and there currently seems to be no-one enforcing behaviour issues. GCSE results have dropped a lot in the last year.

Having said that dd is doing well and in the top sets with A's & B's predicted. Therefore I am not that worried. Ds will likely go there in 2 years, he is more of a worry as he is not as academic as his sister and does have a few sen worries.

My take is that the "only way is up" and this is a wake up call for the school and the governors, but the good folk of my village are up in arms and all wanting to move their kids to the next village's High School.

Does anyone have any experience of this please and would care to share?

[prettydaisies]

Did you hear today?

[Fimbo]

Yes, the report was sent out last night to parents, although I seem to be the only parent in the land without a copy for some reason.

[prettydaisies]

Sorry, that was an odd question.
I'm wondering if my DD goes to the same school. We heard today and all the talk of villages etc! I don't really know any other parents that well - DD is only in Y7 and came from a non-feeder school, so have just been discussing it with my OH. Hopefully things will improve and quickly too.

[Fimbo]

Are you in Norfolk by chance?

[prettydaisies]

Yes.
We have no plans to move DD, although I do hope some of her friends stay at the school. Actually getting her in or physically getting her to another school would be really quite tricky. I have friends who have older children at the school or who have already been through the school and it seems to have done well by them.
For us I think it's important that they actually do something about all the things mentioned and get relevant support if they can't manage it themselves. I'm most bothered about the leadership team because we are reliant on them to make changes and see them through. I wonder if they'll get any new blood.

[GibberTheMonkey]

So much can happen in not much time. In the last 3 years a school (northwest of you, same county begins with F) has gone from good to really struggling. I wouldn't worry too much at the moment. A lot could happen in the next two years and as you say, it'll be very much on the radar now.

[Fimbo]

Arrghh grrrrrr I have just typed you a big long inbox message prettydaisies and then my computer crashed!

[Talkinpeace]

If it is an LEA school, do not worry as they will bust a gut to sort it ASAP

if it is an academy all I can say is sorry

[Fimbo]

Not an academy - yet. But I fear that is the plan.

[secretscwirrels]

DS1 was in year 9 and DS2 in year 7 when the school went into special measures.
My experience was exactly as you say, the only way is up.
If it is an LEA school, do not worry as they will bust a gut to sort it ASAP Yes.

At the time it was not an academy and the LA supported the leadership team and poured in help. Two years later it came out as good with many outstanding features and converted to academy independently.
Having said that, the original OFSTED judgement was a total shock to staff and parents as no one thought it was a bad school. It was guilty of coasting, but not bad.
This was 4 years ago though and the trend now is for LAs to "force" failing schools to become academies under outside providers, which may well happen to yours.

[5madthings]

Waves to fimbo you know my feelings and like your dd my ds1 is doing well and predicted good grades etc, plus he is happy which he wasnt at his old school.

Ds2 will go there in sept, am i converned...yes. Do i still think it is the right school for him...yes.

I hope its the kick up the arse it needs, i am also taking the report with a pinch of salt, ds1's old school got a good ofsted yet the behaviour there was far far worse and the schools attitude to dealing with it was crap, thete results have alsi been just as poor infact givdn the intake etc they are worse in comparison.


Its worrying tho.