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To be fed up with the choices of our local secondary schools

54 replies

Jambalaya76 · 20/01/2020 21:53

DS started yr 7 in sept 19. We put him in the best of a bad bunch. All of our local schools have a bad rep. There's one just out of the catchment area which seemed amazing at the open evening, but as it is oversubscribed, DS wouldn't have had a chance getting in.
Now he's been at his secondary school 4 months now and I die a little inside at the quality of education it seems he is getting. My son is bright and got amazing Sats results in primary. He was well behaved and studious. Now he comes home and all I hear about is the trouble that happens at school and the trouble he gets into. I have teachers phoning me up about his behaviour in school, class clown he is. Never shuts up and disrupts lessons! He also isn't set any homework (as they learn in school time) and is not interested in any after school clubs ( to be honest, the subjects aren't that appealing).
I fee like we have made a big mistake sending him to this school, but also feel
Like we never really had a choice as the other options are just as bad!
We are looking at indépendant schools, but the cost means we wouldn't be able to enjoy the style of living we have and enjoy now! What's else can we do apart from move. I feel like DS is set to fail at this school and I feel like crying Sad

OP posts:
Jambalaya76 · 21/01/2020 13:17

Ellisandra the same for my sons school. That's the reason the school gives for no homework

OP posts:
mbosnz · 21/01/2020 13:33

When we came over here, the best we could do for ours was a state comprehensive academy. It has a 'mixed' reputation. The kids are very loud, very confident, are known locally for anti-social behaviour, and it was one hell of a culture shock for our kids. A lot of the kids felt that because they hadn't got the grades to go to the local (very) select Grammar, that they'd already been put on the scrap heap so what is the point of trying.

We acknowledged this with our girls. We also said they had a choice whether to buy into this bullshit, or whether they could be strong enough, individual enough, to keep on doing their thing, which is head down, arse up, polite and respectful as required from year dot, do your best, get the best grades you can, to make the most of the opportunities you do have.

The teachers are passionate, engaged, and they care. When they get a child that engages and cares with them. . . well, it's like a match made in heaven.

What I'm seeing in what you're doing is a lot of focus on negative consequences. This doesn't seem to be working. What about agreeing a series of potential rewards - e.g. no calls from the school for a week = X (whatever really spins his wheels?)

Is it possible for there to be a communication notebook between the teachers and you whereby each teacher briefly writes in either positive (preferably) or negative issue each lesson?

Neither you nor the school want this behaviour embedding at this early stage.

mbosnz · 21/01/2020 13:34

Oh, and is there a possibility you could engage a tutor to work with him on core subjects in place of homework?

MsJaneAusten · 21/01/2020 17:13

It sounds like he is able to control his behaviour. Could you introduce a reward system?

One week without sanction points = Extra hour of screen time that weekend
Two weeks = take out of his choice
One month = day out with friends
Etc... whatever works for you / him.

Also worth asking if school will put him ‘on report’ so that staff have to sign every lesson to say how he’s behaved. That might give you a clearer picture of what’s going on?

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