Popsycal - can I ask about how your DS settled into 'That' school?

[Gingerbear]

I remember earlier in the year a thread where you spoke about being lambasted by fellow teachers for choosing a school that wasn't the best performing academically, but you were more interested in your son being happy and being with his friends at school.
I wondered how he has progressed since he started?
I ask because DD started in reception this year at a school that is one of the poorest in the area, even nationally. (In terms of SATs performance and League tables etc). We chose the school because the ethos is caring, the pupils are polite and courteous, it is small and the head knows all the pupils by first name (amongst other reasons). The school is in a former mining village and the mix in school is predominantly 'working class', but there are pupils from a better off adjacent village.
I am happy that she has settled well and made friends, has cracked Jolly Phonics and has started to read. However, I am worried about the school's poor performance, particularly in Maths (38% pass at KS2). My mum is a former primary teacher and said my worries are unfounded; but I have real concerns for her education in later years.
I want to speak to someone about this at the school, but I haven't a clue where to start, who to approach or what to ask.

Have you read their ofsted? That will tell you a bit more about the school generally than just the reults. Incidentally we moved dd after reception from a underperforming school to an 'outstanding' (Ofsted classification) school. Really pleased we did. Think results are important and dd could be just as happy in another school. Depends how strongly you feel about current school.

The last Ofsted was in 2003. They were 'satisfactory', with 'good' teaching up to year 2, but between Year 2 and 6 the achievement dropped dramatically, particularly in Maths, and the results were 'unsatisfactory'.
According to the report, there were lots of staff changes in recent years and this lead to a period of poor teaching provision and lack of focus on attainment. The results for 2004 and 2005 (in Maths) showed some improvement, but 2006 results are poor again. We have recently had a letter saying that the Year 6 teacher is leaving - yet more disruption.

If the school was really bad they would have had Notice to Improve or be in special measures. It's worth trying to find out what they are doing to improve. The head will be able to tell you as should any of the governors - perhaps you're on speaking terms with one of them. Also what is the feeling about the school on the local grapevine? If it has a positive following and dd is happy I would tend to wait it out - perhaps visit other schools and see how you feel about them. If you start to feel that dd is not doing well (as we did) then think seriously about a move.
Good luck. I know there was a huge weight off my shoulders when I moved dd, so how you feel comes into it as well. I was worrying on a weekly basis that she wasn't getting adequate teaching.

we are kind of in the same position gingerbear. ds started reception at his school this year. he has settled in fantastically, made friends, learnt to read etc etc. the school itself has a fairy bad reputation, last ofsted report was fairly crap. however, a new head started a year ago & she is brilliant, really committed & is turning the school round before our eyes. i am so happy ds is there, it's 2 minutes from our house, there is only 1 class per year. i do feel we made the right decision to send him there, but it takes a fairly iron will to have the courage of your convictions. hth.

I have the opposite problem. Both of my chidren attend a school that was doing well, but for various reasons, things are going badly. I'm not in a position to move them at the moment so I will just have to see how things develop.

(Hi HC - sounds like M is doing great. I was at his school today for my course)

thanks for your replies, I think I need to speak to more parents. I know both my mum and I can help DD if she needs it later on, and hopefully things will have improved by the time she gets to Yr 6.

I know that the secondary school that this primary feeds is fantastic academically and in Art, Music and Drama. Heard many parents and pupils say how much they rate it, and how well ex pupils from this school do at secondary.

Just found this ginger bear!!
well ds1 loves it
but I do have some concerns

have had to battle with the teacher (well, gently persuade her!!!) to move him on through the blasted reading scheme and am not happy with a few other things

was chatting to a load of other mums on a night out on friday who were asking me for 'inside information' (as some children from ds1's school feed into the school where I teach....)

to be honest, it is not the academic side i have a prblem with but other bits ( a different thread in itself)

we plan to move house in the next year and in the back of my mind is that ds1 will move schools then

I plan to meet with his teacher again after christmas due to a few things which were said at parents evening (the shirt version being he was just 4 in august but is very bright but cant concentrate) so will air my views then i think

Ah, popsy! Have managed to catch up with you.
I have spoken to one of the teachers since I started this thread. They are still having difficulty in recruiting a Yr 6 teacher. The previous teacher has just handed her notice in. The lower years do very well, it is the upper years that seem to suffer. Not really sure why.
There is a National Science and Engineering Week in March. I think I may volunteer my services, as in the past, I have been into schools and given demonstrations etc to schoolchildren.

I am glad he loves the school. But as Mog said earlier on in this thread, if it still doesn't feel right in spite of this, there is always the option (disruption???) of moving to another school.