Theresa May to end ban on grammar schools part 2

[noblegiraffe]

Continuation of the first thread from here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/education/2702565-Theresa-May-to-end-ban-on-grammar-schools

And Peregrina I've frequently said that some grammars are absolutely awful. Really, really, really awful. Any school will be awful unless the leadership team is good, whatever the intake.

It's not all about STEM noble, but don't think grammars are immune from the teacher recruitment crisis because they're not. Grammars ideally have to recruit teachers who can stretch their most able, who may well, particularly in super selectives, be brighter than the teacher him or herself. That constraint doesn't usually throw up a sea of suitably qualified applicants for advertised posts, whatever the subject - although admittedly some subjects are even more difficult than others to recruit for at the moment.

Let's just say we don't get more grammar schools. Let's say we have to work with what we've got.

What do people think could or should be done for bright children? What are the most pressing issues, the most glaring problems, the most obvious gaps? How might we, in theory, start thinking about that within the situation we have at the moment?

It's not all about STEM noble

Isn't it? What else do we need? More Classicists?

Which grammar schools are awful and if they are awful what are the surrounding schools like.

I bet someone will drag up the three 'politically' influenced Ofsted reports that declared them as being unacceptable.

The three grammar schools over the last six years to receive a grade 4 (or however they grade now) are Stretford Grammar the 1st one 2nd Boston High School 3rd Chatham Boys Grammar and did Dover Boys grammar come close to getting a grade 4 !.

I believe they were graded at that level for political reasons.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1164129/Political-row-grammar-school-placed-special-measures-despite-95-A-C-GCSE-results.html

I personally don't see an issue with training up more Classicists. I can see the point of science whilst not being a scientist myself but scientists and mathematicians on these threads rarely seem to extend a reciprocal courtesy to the humanities or arts.

sandyholme you do realise that article if from 2009?

sandy that article does also refer to shit management.

goodbyestranger Thu 11-Aug-16 23:02:22 sandy that article does also refer to shit management.

As one parent commented: Rakshanda Ali, 39, whose son is in Year 7, said: 'On the days the school hasn't had a head in place, conditions have been poor and parents were worried. But I'm confident things are going to change for the better.

goodbye but does the country need more Classicists?

but does the country need more Classicists?

This then takes us back to our policy of using 'gifted amateurs' to run the country, and having a woeful attitude to those with the more technical skills like engineers. Well, of course, we have just got rid of one such 'gifted amateur' as PM, and another as Chancellor.

sandyholme - Boston High School

Is this the school you mean?

www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/139180

Sorry. 7 years ago not 6 years ago !

The point is though that i believe the school and know doubt the other grammar schools mentioned were 'picked on' for being grammar schools.

For the record Stretford Grammar it is now a grade 2 school (2015 Ofsted report). It is struggling a bit at Sixth Form (grade 3).

No Boston High is the girls grammar. The Ofsted report from about 2010/11 that i remember has now been removed from the Ofsted .

I remember it slammed the 'head' and the lack of progress in certain subjects.

tps://www.yelp.ca/biz/boston-high-school-for-girls-boston

The passage from the ex pupil talks about the 2008 report!

Funny their seemed to be an effort to poorly grade grammar schools at the end of the Labour government.

Ofsted are an organisation that are often is used for political purposes.

sandyholme Thu 11-Aug-16 23:42:08 No Boston High is the girls grammar.

I thought it might be Boston Grammar because that is currently RI

www.yelp.ca/biz/boston-high-school-for-girls-boston

sandyholme Funny their seemed to be an effort to poorly grade grammar schools at the end of the Labour government.

Perhaps it is the expected progress numbers that are causing the poor OFSTED rating though. Take this school for example:

www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/137389

Top line figure of 5+ A*-C including maths & english. However, only 72% made expected progress in English. This schools is rated good btw.

Should read:

Good top line figure of 5+ A*-C including maths & english. However, only 72% made expected progress in English. This schools is rated good btw.

Its a 'funny' grammar school it allows access to the sixth form with 5 A*-C grades and GCSE resists on a three year program !.

A Level History only requires a C grade at GCSE ! B grade at Chemistry.

I don't think the school will be kicking the doors down to Oxbridge !

What are the Non selective schools like if the girls grammar is a ' Comprehensive' in all but name.

However, it does prove that in areas like Boston and other deprived areas , selective education is the only chance 'bright' children will have. Sadly most deprived areas are devoid of even a decent 'Comprehensive'.

What are the Non selective schools like if the girls grammar is a ' Comprehensive' in all but name.

What makes this a 'Comprehensive' and not just a so-so grammar school?

Those figures are shocking. That is dreadful and not good enough. It was perfectly possible to be a grammar and get Outstanding under Labour (we don't get a full inspection often but due to boarding we are seen regularly for an inspection there (which also looks at governance and things like that and would lead to a full inspection of any concerns).
There will always be the odd student who doesn't make expected progress. They are people with lives not just statistics after all. However, that sounds like a troubled English department in need of some attention.

Dover Grammar School for Boys got "requires improvement" in (I think) 2013. Nothing political about that- it really did require improvement! And many other Kent grammars got good and outstanding at about the same thine. Dover has now been completely overhauled and has a new Head and is now "good"