Year 7 parents meeting last night. Only got to see 3 teachers, 2 of which admitted the school's failings.

[CuriousMama]

Ds1 and ds2 both go to a school that has a good reputation. Ds1 has achieved a lot there, he's year 10 now. DS2 only started last September.

Last night it was year 7 parents evening. Dp and I took ds2 along, mainly to help us find our way around as it's a new building. Not that I'd know the old one. The queues were huge. Teachers were to see both year 7 and 8 parents. We gave up on English and ended up seeing IT and Science. IT teacher admitted they were weeks behind as they hadn't had laptops for 6 weeks. Science admitted the class was in chaos, had had umpteen different teachers and most of the dcs were badly behaved. I knew about the behaviour as ds2 told me but didn't know it was that bad. I ended up asking if I can help him more at home as he's gone back in science. He isn't academic like ds1 but is very good at the things that interest him. He had been doing well in Science. They're sending me work by email. Ds2 said he'd like to do it so that's a start.

Dp took ds2 to try to see a Maths teacher and managed to. That was a good meeting. Ds2's doing well in that. I split off to try to see the history teacher, waited outside for 15 minutes, only person waiting, and he spent that time with one family. Then we were told to leave.

I know we get a report but it's good to chat face to face with the teachers. This is like nothing I've ever experienced. Hopefully the new building has something to do with it but the Science problem was the most worrying. Especially when head of Science had to sit in with the teacher to try to allay fears.

If ds1 has been there for over 3 years already, is it that things have changed a lot, or that ds2 is in lower sets (and therefore with more disruptive pupils) or has the demographic of the intake changed significantly.

Insane to have a Yr 7 and Yr 8 parents meeting on the same night unless it is a tiny school. And no appointments?

It is poor. But on the plus side, they are prepared to admit failings, agree to send home work to help solve the problem, and head of Science takles it seriously enough to sit in. I'm not saying you shouldn't be worried, but IME, alarm bells ring far louder when schools are complaceent or pretend there's no problems.
You could maybe email and ask for individual meetings with other teachers, or email the Head and say it was impossible to see most teachers and that parents would like a second parents' evening so the shortfall can be addressed. If other parents say the same, they may set another date.

Did you not have appointments to see the teachers? If I were you, I'd complain formally to the school about what a waste of your time the evening was for you. Seeing two year groups in one evening is outrageous!

How is DS1 getting on in the new building? If his lessons are as chaotic as DS2, this will be affecting his GCSEs. I'd be asking some tough questions if I were you, for the sake of both your DC.

DS1 is getting on really well. He's only been there 2 years as that's when we moved to the area. He gets his work held up as an example to others. Luckily he has a good sense of humour and can cope with friendly jibes. They even printed off a history test he did, laminated it and gave it out to the other classes. I'd never heard of this before? Perhaps he should be teaching Science?

Usually you just meet the class tutor but they must think this is a better idea? Hopefully they now realise it isn't?

I'll email them and if I don't hear back will ring.

Today ds2 had a maths test and only got 3 out of 20. He said they hadn't been shown some of the work? He couldn't understand some of the questions. That was one area I didn't seem to have much to worry about?

Did the head of science explain what actions are being taken to improve behaviours in the classroom? And is you DS in the same class as these students for his other lessons? If he is, then I think I would contact the Head of Year 7 to discuss your concerns, urgently.

Btw, sorry DS1 did so poorly in his maths paper. If its just a one off then hopefully you and he can work through the topics over half term to bring him back up to speed.

But to be honest, I think alarm bells would be ringing for me

Thanks NewF it was ds2 who did poorly, DS1 is what they call 'gifted and talented' not that we every use the term. Hate it to be honest as does he. DS2 has much more common sense so it's swings and roundabouts sometimes.

The Science teachers said they're moving dcs around and have support in the class. DS2 says it's still bad.

I'll be getting in touch am fed up to the back teeth of this.

Whoops, sorry, misread ds2 as ds1, apologies to your eldest!

Good luck in taking it forward, I think you are doing the right thing

Oh he doesn't read MN it's ok