Ofsted Report

[summer1984]

My 2 dd's attend a school which always had a really good reputation. Recently, I have strarted to have my doubts about quality of teaching etc. They doubts have been confirmed by a poor ofsted report.
Thinking of moving children to another school but I am also concerned about unsettling them.
Bit of a wwyd really.

We have been in this situation and kept our child at the same school. The LEA brought in a new Head and the teachers who were performing poorly all left the school.
After this happens the school has to write an Action Plan to deal with the issues identified by OFSTED and these have to be sorted out within a set time.
Hope this helps.

As somebody who has moved their children due to work (ex-forces)and poor schools, I would say that most children can/do cope with moves; mine both had three primary schools, DS2 two secondaries. On the whole I found mine coped with the moves quite well.

If the Ofsted report heightened your already existing concerns, then it may be the time to move. Though as a caveat two of DS2's moves due to schools failure to adhere to SEN, haven't resulted in any noticeable benefits though both moves entailed him moving from schools going into SM to outstanding schools.

How poor is poor? What grading overall? 3? 4?
How many main categories had 3? How many 4?

Its mainly 3's. So I guess it is still satisfactory.

It depends on how your children are doing. I had the same situation but my 2 children were fairing differently. The eldest was making good progress and was happy as he works hard and so he stayed at the school and has now been offered a place at a local grammar. The story was different for my daughter who needs encouragment to work! Moved her and the new school identified a number of gaps in her learning and she is now coming on in leaps and bounds. She settled instantly and has been very happy as she is very sociable. Also I don't think my son would have settled as easily as he was older and less sociable. It really depends on the child!!

My problem is probsbly the other way round. Older dd has I feel been let down in the last year. Really behind in one area. However, she is really settled and I am loathe to mover her. Younger one is currently thriving in early years. However, I am worried that she will fall short of expectations in KS1. Not really sure how younger one would cope with being moved and logistically i think it would be all or nothing.

Summer - hold fire. Firstly 3 means satisfactory, and HMCI currently feels that satisfactory is no longer good enough. It may mean that the school has been coasting rather than moving forward.

Have you been told that the school is a) Under Notice to Improve or b) Special Measures?

If it is A, then the LA will be putting lots of resources and help into the school to improve and move forward teaching and learning. I think from what you are saying it is unlikely to beB. If you are really worried then ask to meet with the Head and ask what actions they are putting in place to address the shortfall.

No, no reference to special measures in report. Yes, i think it is about coasting. Attainment levels are still ok but I think expectations are high as the school is in an area where parents support their children well in their learning. Unfortunately, the weakness of my dd is in an area where I too am weak. Typical.