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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this head teacher is off her rocker

244 replies

Atlantisen · 30/10/2018 20:47

This was the newsletter. Inspiring? Or utter bollocks??

*"...All too often schools accept a gap between some students and other students. We can fall into a trap that comes to accept or simply gets used to some children dressing differently, missing more days of school, speaking to adults or one another incorrectly, being a few minutes late to everything, carelessly presenting their work, not completing homework, not giving 100% in their lessons, not reading any books for pleasure, not joining clubs at school, never seeking to play for a school team, never appearing in a school performance or never attending a revision booster.

Labelling such behaviours or choices is pointless or indeed stigmatising those students who display some or all of these characteristics. At CNS we have to regard these as symptoms of an underlying lack of ambition, expectation or aspiration. Whilst we have to be unrelenting in our demand for all students to be their best self, we also need to get to the very heart of why some students are more engaged than others – seeking to rekindle the fire within and not beneath.

Creating a school that expects and demands high expectations in all things of all students is a continuous quest and one that we shall be emphasising at all times. ..."*

OP posts:
GreenEggsHamandChips · 30/10/2018 21:10

Why wouldn't children with SEN be able to join teams or join revision sessions or be in a play?

Hahaha DS is one to one support for everything. School can barely provide that for classes let alone clubs!

So we tend to do stuff more as a family....

natwebb79 · 30/10/2018 21:10

I thought it was City of Norwich School for a second too there and was really confused as the head there isn't like that! Grin

PiperPublickOccurrences · 30/10/2018 21:10

is trying to address the massive lack of ambition in some families and communities

Of course she is. She's trying to address the "school doesn't matter" attitude and quite right too.

MaisyPops · 30/10/2018 21:11

I didn't read it about SEND needs either. It's a bit wordy and corporate but it sounds close to the principle of my classroom.

I won't accept that some kids have less to offer and should be expected less of. I want them all to meet basic standards and be supported to achieve their best. I won't accept them being rude to me or anyone else 'just because'. I won't allow someone to disrupt other children's learning because they might have something going on at home. All children have the right to be supported and educated.

I've worked with too many staff who have low aspirations for individual students.
E.g. I had one conversation about students where i was told 'but Maisy they arent going to get GCSEs ... fact'. Angry I've also been told not to worry about Timmy because just get him out when you can so you can teach your class. Angry No I want Timmy to behave and learn & will put the required support in place. Funnily enough Timmy had a really good year that year. I don't want to accept that a NT child should write 3 lines in a lesson.
I've known staff accept that as long as the students aren't having badly then that proves they're a good teacher, regardless of the fact they're teaching y8s content from the new y5 curriculum. I've had colleagues laugh at me for wanting to teach complex topics to students because 'they're only year 9 why would you give them stuff they don't need?'
I'm no super teacher, but when I hear people talk about low aspirations the sad reality is they do exist in some classrooms and schools.

JessicaJonesJacket · 30/10/2018 21:11

It's patronising and elitist. There are many reasons why DCs don't participate in school clubs or complete all homework, etc. It shouldn't be about trying to mould them into that cookie-cutter but about recognising the challenges or lifestyle or cultural differences that impact on engagement and finding ways to make everyone feel valued.

Unicornandbows · 30/10/2018 21:11

From what I interpret the message is to have parents more involved with their child's school work and generally engage more. With no regard to sen students.

Or have I missed the point?

iwantasofa · 30/10/2018 21:12

She's not talking about children with SEN. She doesn't mention that at all. You're reading that into it.

minivampsmakebloodwork · 30/10/2018 21:13

I'd say it's someone who wants to best for their pupils but who has worded it badly.

It doesn't take into account the needs of Sen pupils.

It assumes no pupil attends other (out of school) extra curricular activities instead of school ones.

To me, a revision booster outside of school hours is a sigh of a school which is determined to push results up, whatever the cost! Which gives a false sense of achievement at that school. Not all pupils are able to get in outside of school hours. They may have other commitments which are no less important than their education.

It also suggests a school which is not achieving everything in mandatory lessons.

Just my feeling as a parent. I do have Sen children and I have a dc starting secondary next year. If I saw this on any of the prospective school information, I would think less of this school.

farfallarocks · 30/10/2018 21:13

I quite like it actually

IStandWithPosie · 30/10/2018 21:15

Sounds like someone who has either a) forgotten that not all pupils are starting on a level playing field or b) wants to forget about the ones who aren’t and just focus on the ones that can be chivvyed to improve her rating.

A more realistic letter would have been one highlighting all the support services available in school for any child struggling and inviting parents to contact the relevant staff member to get support for their child.

ReanimatedSGB · 30/10/2018 21:15

Is it it too much to hope that what this actually means is 'We're going to stop being stupid cunts about the uniform and put more energy into giving the kids enjoyable, engaging lessons'?

MidiMitch · 30/10/2018 21:16

Maisy- well put!

IStandWithPosie · 30/10/2018 21:16

She's not talking about children with SEN.

That’s exactly the issue!

GreenEggsHamandChips · 30/10/2018 21:17

She's not talking about children with SEN. She doesn't mention that at all. You're reading that into it.

Most of the children for whom a significant proportion of those complaints applies to will have SN...

missymousey · 30/10/2018 21:18

No recognition of the circumstances some kids will face at home - as young carers, or witnessing domestic abuse, or not having a quiet place to do homework. And what is she doing about the cost of the school day to make sure all kids can have books for pleasure, take part in clubs etc etc. Following that sort of waffle I'd be quizzing her for a lot of practical explanation.

ChalkDoodler · 30/10/2018 21:20

The gap between SEND and pupil premium students and non-SEND/PP is a big focus in my school and my last school and was mentioned in both recent OFSTED reports

I had to do a presentation on Pupil Premium and was very surprised by the figures a fee years ago.

Just 27% of FSM children achieve 5 GCSEs old style A*-C including English and Maths compared to a National Average of 54%.

That is a hell of a gap. It has been a massive focus at my sons' secondary.

I actually like the letter, it sets the right tone for me. I don't think this is about children with SEND at all, it is about everyone striving to do more and be more.

missymousey · 30/10/2018 21:20

Posie - highlighting all the support services available in school for any child struggling
This would be so much better.

Petitepamplemousse · 30/10/2018 21:20

I think it’s more about having high expectations of kids from disadvantaged backgrounds.

MaisyPops · 30/10/2018 21:22

MidiMitch
Thank you.

Expecting a basic level of couresty and attitude to learning isn't unreasonable.
Some students may require support to be able to meet those standards but the standard isn't unreasonable.
Then again I've got a bee in my bonnet about staff who have low expectations (especially when the students who suffer the most from low expectations are the ones who need the high expectations and support the most).

Polkapjs · 30/10/2018 21:24

I like it. Basic manners should be a given and encouraging everyone to at least try is find. Maybe wordy but the basic premise is fine
Too many kids don’t say please/ thank you if have respect for adults
Is this high school or primary? Guessing high / secondary sorry

Cachailleacha · 30/10/2018 21:27

I think it depends on what clubs they have on offer. I have a child who doesn't like sports. He does plenty of outdoor activities with Scouts though.

IStandWithPosie · 30/10/2018 21:29

I’d like to see what she means in practice (practise? I still don’t know which is right) before deciding she’s a wrong’un Grin

Original poster
Atlantisen · 30/10/2018 21:31

It doesn’t address the fact that many of the behaviours she’s taking about are as a result of SEN and many of the activities she wants to encourage, are simply not accessible or appropriate for kids with SEN.

And SEN kids represent about a fifth of the kids, so it’s really not on to discount them.

OP posts:
TheBigFatMermaid · 30/10/2018 21:35

Well, my DD did not engage in school much because she was being badly bullied! The school did nothing about it. She does 9 organised activities a week, a well as home ed, so bollocks to that!

BalloonSlayer · 30/10/2018 21:35

never seeking to play for a school team, never appearing in a school performance

Hmm what about DC who try and try yet never get picked for a school team or to be in a school performance., and who therefore stop trying by the time the HT takes an interest in these statistics?

(Thinking of DD who was confident up till about Year 5 when the above sunk in and it all drained away like someone had pulled a plug out.)