DD is at Upper School (3 tier system here so she's been there a year), she's happy and seems to be doing well. But I am worried that the school is not doing its best by her and that we should have chosen a different one.
When we applied the school had a pretty good name and Ofsted report, we were happy when we looked round although we did prefer another local one which just seemed better in some ways. DD was adamant though that she wanted to go to this one as all her friends were. As an only child her friends are everything to her, she can be quite lacking in confidence and we felt she would thrive best where she felt happy and secure.
Since she's been there the school has had a terrible Ofsted and people are taking their kids out or choosing to send them to other schools (including the one I preferred) when they move up. DD is still happy, her reports are good and her grades are OK but I can't help feeling she isn't being pushed enough - she's fairly bright but a bit of a 'coaster' - she'll do what she's asked but not much more yet because she's well behaved and pleasant teachers fall over themselves to pat her on the back for things like turning up with the right equipment or working quietly - basic stuff that all kids should be doing! Their standards just don't seem to be very high and it makes me question whether her 'good' grades will actually translate into decent GCSE results in 2 years time which doesn't seem that far away. I also worry that the school is too focused now on ticking boxes for Ofsted instead of concentrating on teaching the kids - especially those like DD who don't cause any trouble or have any SEN.
The first thing DD said when she heard about the bad Ofsted was 'I don't want to move' (she knows me well!) and some of her friends are still on waiting lists for other schools so I don't think it's really an option, plus this is not a great time to think of changing now she's chosen her options and is starting GCSE work. But she'll only get one chance and I can't help wondering if we've made the wrong decision and should have stuck to our guns about the 'better' school.
WWYD? Really appreciate any advice - thanks.
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.
Secondary education
Worried we've chosen the wrong school for DD (Year 10)
15 replies
NeonPinkNails · 07/09/2016 18:42
OP posts:
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.