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Original poster

Failing Free School closed by DfE

109 replies

vindscreenviper · 19/01/2015 16:14

Durham Free School has been told it will close as soon as all the pupils have found places at other schools. Its Ofsted report was only published this morning and although it's really bad I've never heard of a school being closed down on the same day. There must be other stuff happening in the backround surely, don't the DfE usually hand failing schools to one of their mates an academy chain to sort out?

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granolamuncher · 25/02/2015 20:38

I have just read the DfE's Notice: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/407203/Durham_Free_School_termination_notice.pdf

It is so clear that DFS's governors were not up to the job. They are heavily criticised.

So this is another sad case of teachers, pupils, and parents being let down by governors with great ideas and fine words but incapable of delivering on their promises. And so obstinate.

We can only sympathise with the parents who have supported the school. As I have said above, you deserved better.

Stealthpolarbear · 25/02/2015 20:45

condur what was the maths and science teaching you eere unhappy about?

condur · 25/02/2015 21:01

Steatlpolarbear- It was Science and I am not willing to go into the details on a public forum at the moment. Feelings are running high... Sorry to be obtuse.

Stealthpolarbear · 25/02/2015 21:23

no pronlem, i can imagine

Original poster
vindscreenviper · 25/02/2015 21:45

I don't blame you either condur I've read their Twitter and the comments in the Durham Times.
As an aside did you see that awful letter from a parent that they pulled from their facebook on Monday morning, what on earth possessed them to put it up in the first place? I couldn't believe what I was reading, I don't usually go in for pearl-clutching but who on earth at TDFS thought that that was appropriate?

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condur · 25/02/2015 22:00

Yes if it was the one that nigh on identified (with a bit of digging or previously reading other posts) a child victim of a serious offence! I was horrified. I wish I had taken a screen shot because someone had rightly pulled it the next day. I cannot believe the things that have been posted on the Durham Free School's official Facebook, Twitter and even Website! It does not come across well- rather frothy to be kind or downright dangerous.

condur · 25/02/2015 22:48

John Denning is never going to give up. I have a few ideas as to who that "wellwisher" might be.
Statement from the Chair of Governors

The Secretary of State has now announced that she is intending to remove the school's funding agreement with a view to the school closing at the end of this term. The announcement was in a letter which has now been passed to our lawyers. A well-wisher has contacted the school who is keen to fund legal action to challenge the Secretary of State's decision. More news to follow shortly.

John Denning
Chair of Governors
25th February 2015

Original poster
vindscreenviper · 27/02/2015 11:06

This article in Schoolsweek claims that they were teaching creationism/intelligent design in science class.
"“Only the Earth has life on it. God has designed the solar system so that the Earth can support life.”

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prh47bridge · 27/02/2015 12:53

If this was school policy it was clearly in breach of its funding agreement. However, if the school's contention that this was an isolated incident that was dealt with it is not an issue.

I am not surprised this appears to be going to judicial review. Regardless of the rights and wrongs of the situation (and, indeed, regardless of the truth or otherwise of the allegations regarding the behaviour of Ofsted inspectors) there appears to be an arguable case that the government has not followed the correct process in making its decision. The funding agreement says that the school can make representations to the Secretary of State before she decides whether or not to close the school. However, Nicky Morgan announced her decision before the deadline for the school to submit its case and spoke about the school in ways that suggested her mind was already made up. Note that judicial review will generally overrule the Secretary of State if the wrong process was followed even if the final decision was correct.

Original poster
vindscreenviper · 27/02/2015 13:09

You obviously know the legal ins-and-outs very well prh47bridge, and it does seem strange that Nicky Morgan's announcement was made the day before the school was due to have a follow-up visit from Ofsted, which was then cancelled. Has the announcement perhaps been timed to ensure the school is closed just before purdah?

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prh47bridge · 27/02/2015 17:33

I think it is a typical case of a politician rushing to make an announcement to show they are taking tough action when they would, perhaps, have been better advised to take more time and get it right. The fact we are now in the run up to a general election may well be significant.

Icimoi · 28/02/2015 17:16

prh, surely a breach of contract claim isn't limited to damages? They could claim a mandatory injunction also.

Icimoi · 28/02/2015 17:28

It's interesting that the school publishes on its website a copy of its solicitors' letter to the DfE, but not the response which it must have received by now.

prh47bridge · 28/02/2015 22:09

Yes, it is possible to get an injunction to prevent a breach of contract. However, judicial review still allows them more latitude to challenge the government's decision making process.

I don't think it is guaranteed that they have received a response from the government. Even if they have, their lawyers may well advise them not to publish it. It is generally not a good idea to publish letters from the other side without their permission.

nlondondad · 01/03/2015 18:11

Indeed most legal communications are regarded as confidential, and so, for example, excluded from the scope of FOI.

Obviously, of course, if its YOUR communication (you wrote it) you may choose to waive confidentiality and publish it -up to the point that you may be disclosing matters, at least by inference, from the other side. For a start people have to be able to negotiate in privacy.

Or to put it another way I would never publish any legal communication without legal advice!

KenDoddsDadsDog · 01/03/2015 18:15

Has all gone quiet at Grindon Hall. No more talk of London marches !

Original poster
vindscreenviper · 01/03/2015 20:39

I thought that too kendodds.
I would be very Hmm of sending my dc to a school who thought that facilitating a mass DM sadface was an appropriate and professional response to a crap Ofsted. Those pics and lurid headlines aren't going to dissappear of the interwebs any time soon.

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Original poster
vindscreenviper · 01/03/2015 20:40

off the interwebs obviously!

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KenDoddsDadsDog · 01/03/2015 21:11

Every parent was asked to contribute to the cost of an independent inspection , not sure what they would prove .

Original poster
vindscreenviper · 01/03/2015 21:20

Eh? What's one of those?
Is it an ISI or a couple of moonlighting Ofsted bods?
What purpose would that serve?

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KenDoddsDadsDog · 01/03/2015 21:24

I'm not sure what it is , our neighbours told us as they have a child at the school. They have asked parents to split the cost .

Original poster
vindscreenviper · 01/03/2015 21:47

So how was that school letter worded?

"We're crap, give us some of your cash so we can pay some random to say that we're not"

Did the parents pay up? It's as if some parents are taking this as a direct criticism of their parenting, it's not as if the school has been threatened with closure though, very strange way to behave IMO.

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condur · 01/03/2015 21:54

Further to the articles in Schoolsweek and the Northern Echo:
I could not believe my eyes when I saw the worksheet. This had been presented as fact in Science. I was and am of the opinion that God should have no place in Science lessons. I could not understand how the teacher could think that this was okay. I had specifically asked about teaching of such theories in Science prior to my child starting the Durham Free School and had been assured that no such teaching would take place. I felt that the School had breached the trust I had placed in them.

I must point out that it may have been "an isolated incident" but that could well be because we complained. The teacher did not see anything wrong with the worksheet and even suggested to my husband that he had a "closed mind" by insisting that Science at this level should deal in provable facts. Faith by it's very nature cannot be proved.

From the original application for The Durham Free School:
"Creationism/Intelligent Design will not be taught as valid scientific theories."

Original poster
vindscreenviper · 01/03/2015 23:16

I wonder if this was one of the teachers that Ofsted thought was appointed because of their faith rather than their suitability for the job? The teachers reaction to your complaint is disingenuous at the very least, at what level would he start to separate science and faith? I think KS3 is leaving it quite late.

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