To ask what you would do about this school?

[Sweatingcobbles]

I have seen another person post about this same school so may have to be slight vague not to out myself.

Ds2 moved school at the start of the year following bullying. The newly opened school we moved to was the only place available suitable and we definitely could not stay where we were.

September to December was amazing. The pastoral care and senco care was amazing and Ds really flourished.

Then I had a huge issue with missing teachers and a particular subject and I ended up making a complaint.

Shortly afterwards Ofsted came in and failed the school massively in every single area. There was some threats of closure floating about. It was really really a bad Ofsted and highlighted massive teaching issues and safeguarding issues. It was highlighted that the year 11 group in particular had been massively let down affecting their exams.

Since then the head has left.
The principal has left
Two maths teachers have left
The chemistry teacher is going
The social studies teacher is changing
An English teacher is going
History teacher is going

All since April.

The school is tiny so this represents a Huge proportion of teaching staff.

Ds2 is in upper years of secondary so at a time when it is really starting to matter.

I have spoke to the acting head about this. Another school linked to the same people has been closed. When speaking to the Head he said the other schools had closed because they were run incorrectly. When I pointed out that I was aware the other school was run by the same people I was told not to lose faith in the school.

So more a wwyd really but aibu to be really worried and wonder what YOU would do?

Not sure what you mean. What do you think you could do? It's keep your child there or move, isn't it?

id get my kids the fuck out of there

Look for another school again.

Upper years of secondary school?

I'd move my child. Even if it meant they had to live with their grandparents or auntie etc for a year.

Definitely move them out.

A failing school gets money thrown at it.

When you say upper years do you mean Y9 going into Y10 or Y10 going into Y11?

Lots of things to consider - if its Y10 going into Y11 then you wont get another school place with the same timetable and options subjects.

If it's Y9 going into Y10 - who's to say another school will have availability?

You also need to consider friendship groups and happiness. You've already moved your child due to bullying - are they happy where they are? are they settled? how is their mental health?

Move him.

All the people saying "move him" where to exactly? The Op has already said due to a past bullying issue this was the only school available last time she moved him.

Year 9 going into year 10
Socially doing much better than anywhere before but we have still had a fairly serious issue as they are an easy target.

Year 9 going into year 10

I suppose moving house would be an option but not until at least summer. (rented house and would need to save)

I'm at a loss really.

Bonkers no. She says it was the only place available suitable.

IMHO mental health is far more important.

This is a difficult decision. Is your ds happy and settled at the school? On the face of it, it sounds very reasonable to move him. However, you know your ds. It is my belief a child will do reasonably well at a not very good school if they are motivated, happy and have parental input. A child, who is unhappy at a "good" school may actually not do any better and being unhappy will potentially detrimental to their mental health.

I went to a school, which if it operated in the same way today it would be in special measures. The most recent ofsted report was unsatisfactory. I was unhappy there, the teaching was bad and it massively failed me. In addition to this, I was bullied. I should have been moved and my parents should have been ashamed to send me there when they could afford to send me to a decent school. So I'm not saying the above without personal knowledge.

I think you need to talk to your ds. What does he want? If you decide to keep him there, could you afford some additional tuition?

Ds is swinging between wanting to leave because all the teachers are going and they are on their third form teacher since September and wanting to stay for friends although they struggle socially still and fall out with friends frequently.

I am more worried that the school will be shut and we will be left school less at the start of year 11 has has happened with the other school.

In that case, I'd start looking round now. You can take your ds with you and he can at least make an informed decision about whether he thinks he'd like it at a different school. I doubt that a new school will be able to keep a place for him so it's perhaps better to do this sooner than later. While you're doing this, you may get some information on whether or not the school is shutting so at least you'll be more prepared either way. Poor kid.