To be gutted with the GCSE results at the school that my 11yr is going to

[Kublai]

Less than 50% gaining an A-C (in old money) in maths and English again. For several years this has happened. The head has changed 3 or 4 times during this period, another new one is about to start. I applied for a different school for her but that was oversubscribed so ended up with the catchment school. During the open days I felt positive and there was lots of talk about things changing and the school being on the up. Stupidly I believed this and have been telling DC this.

We cannot afford to move but feel that I am failing my children. My daughter scored greater depth in all her SATS, I have a son in year 6 that is likely to do even better. This school has a - attainment 8 score. I have no idea what to do.

You help her study and achieve her potential.

Can you get hold of the syllabus so she can study extra at home? A bit of private tuition?

If your children work hard then they will achieve. Half got grades 9-4 (in new money). There’s no reason why they can’t be in that half.
My son went to a private school with a high 9-4 rate. He blew it. My daughter is a high achiever and would probably do well in any school.
You are doing what you can. What you do is support your kids and keep their expectations high.

Do you know about value-added? Sorry if I’m explaining something you know about. The only thing to really take seriously is the value-added score. If the school got worse results, it might simply reflect a less able intake than the other school (often happens in less affluent catchment areas). If, however, the value add is positive, it shows that despite those low results, it indicates that the pupils made good personal progress and there’s nothing to worry about. I’d also say that it takes two years of a head / leadership / teaching being consistently good to transform the achievement a GCSE cohort, and a full five years of good leadership for Year 11s to have the full benefit since starting in Year 7. So don’t feel too disheartened that previous heads have moved on. If anything, it shows the governors etc won’t accept shoddy leadership. I’m an ex deputy head, fwiw.

The full GCSE syllabus is studied over two (in some schools 3) years. Changes take time to "show". I'd stay on the waiting list for the other school and be prepared to move DC if a space became available and you felt it would beneficial at that time.

Sorry, no idea how I missed your reference to progress 8 - I blame the wine!

In my experience, working in secondary schools, a bright and hard working student will do well whatever school they’re at.

Just make sure they work hard and they will do well. They will be in the top performing group of kids. Supplement with additional tutoring for 121 teaching.

Most of the schools round here our about those percentages. My school in Kent was only 35% A-C. If yous child is determined to do well and has support from you and their teachers, then they will be fine.

My DD's school was about a 45% pass rate last year. She was one of the 45% and is now doing well at sixth form.

Don't worry, 4 of my DD's went to what could only be described as a "sink" comprehensive - all be it a Catholic one. I just bought them all revision guides, helped and encouraged them and they all achieved highly. They became a community mental health sister, a bank manager, a doctor, and an assistant head. My opinion is that if your child is bright they will achieve regardless of the school. That is only part of the picture. Education begins at birth so don't under estimate your parental input. Good luck OP and stay positive.

It isnt just about the school.
If you put effort into supporting your kids, encourage them and prop up the areas the school is lacking, they will be fine.

Attainment 8 can’t be negative. Do you mean Progress 8? That’s not ideal but try not to worry. I have worked in some really challenging schools and in almost every year group there has been a cohort of bright, motivated kids who stick together and create their own little bubble to move through the school.

Have a look at the performance tables for the school. It will tell you how high achievers have done at the school in the past and might be reassuring.

As a very very proud mum tonight after taking my ds to collect his GCSE results from a school similar sounding to the one you mention ( without the changing head teachers though )please don't be disheartened.

My ds wasn't supposed to go to this school. No way. We failed our appeal to the chosen one- twice. I had no choice but to send him somewhere. This school on paper wasn't very good but it has transformed over the last few years. The reason I sent him there was that he had several friends going there, the pastoral support was good and it was relatively local.

He loved every minute. He's a hard worker and that goes a long way. I bought him every revision guide available and supported him along the way. He has Aspergers and is full of anxiety, year 11 was tough for him.

Sometimes you need a leap of faith. Schools don't become good overnight. Hopefully your daughter will settle in and do very well.
Good luck

It isn't all about the school, as people keep saying. But it isn't all about parental support either. bright, hardworking children don't thrive emotionally in schools where the peer group is disruptive or anti-intellectual. They may go home and learn from revision books, but they are spending their days merely coping. If that's the sort of school it is, hassle the better schools and stay on their waiting list. But also, do what you can to support this school. Maybe the head is turning the school around. A lot can change over 5 years.

A-C Do you mean 9-5 or 9-4?

9-5 is the main measure and the national average is 42 or 43. So it sounds like the school is average or above?

And how bad is their Attainment 8 exactly? Have you looked at the breakdown by higher, middle and low prior attainers?

If you're desperate, you can always put her on the waiting list for another school. Once she's in, Your son should have sibling priority.