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Original poster

Hate Primary School

28 replies

Californication1979 · 09/06/2017 20:34

I hate our allocated primary school...we are on the waiting list for others but with only a few weeks to go before September it doesn't look good.
My main issues are:

  1. It gets poor results
  2. None of his friends from nursery are going to this school and the kids that are going are into things that I don't think are age appropriate (he likes Thomas the Tank Engine they like GTA).
  3. I think I'm quite liberal in my views but the school motto and ethos is "celebrating diversity" (no problem there I hear you say), but it is pushed so much it feels like a faith school.

Practically I know there is nothing we can do but wait. But Am I being ridiculous? Anyone else been allocated a faith type school against their wishes?

OP posts:
JassyRadlett · 09/06/2017 20:37

I think I'm quite liberal in my views but the school motto and ethos is "celebrating diversity" (no problem there I hear you say), but it is pushed so much it feels like a faith school.

Given that faith schools do the exact opposite of promoting diversity (at least from a religious standpoint, which also has implicit knock ons for race and class), I'm very confused how this can be the case.

StinkPickle · 09/06/2017 20:37

I think all you can do is either hope for a different one or go private?

Booph · 09/06/2017 20:37

Does it consistently get poor results? Have you had a look around and spoken to the teachers? Sometimes bad years just produce bad results, that's why I ask.

I'm sure not all 30ish children play GTA... Hmm

And I don't really understand the bottom bit, is it a faith school or not? Or is there some sort of problem with "diversity" you have?

JamAndBread · 09/06/2017 20:38

'Anyone else been allocated a faith type school against their wishes?'

But you haven't been allocated a faith school...

tinypop4 · 09/06/2017 20:39

Don't understand whether it's a faith school or not? Celebrating diversity is a good thing and they are right to push it.
There is not a chance that 30 4-5 year olds are all into GTA.
If the results are poor and you dislike the school then make sure you're on a waiting list or investigate private.

Original poster
Californication1979 · 09/06/2017 20:53

No problem with diversity...but when it's "celebrated" by bringing it onto ever notice board, lessons etc it starts to feel a bit creepy.
Don't get me wrong I couldn't care less where people are from or what they believe... they push this topic so much it feels like a faith school.at his nursery we celebrate the various festivals Eid, Diwali, Chinese NY etc. That's fantastic, I love the fact he knows about other people beliefs but surely not every day? Hard one to explain but that was the feeling I left with after a visit.

OP posts:
Original poster
Californication1979 · 09/06/2017 20:57

Clearly not all 30 kids will be into GTA, just a small sample from nursery. It's impossible to say what the others will be like.

OP posts:
zeeboo · 09/06/2017 21:04

Does where you live operate on a different calendar to planet Earth? Because here it is not yet mid June and Sept is a good few months away not a couple of weeks Hmm

tinypop4 · 09/06/2017 21:09

He will find like minded friends amongst 30 kids, even if a few are into something you don't like.
What is the ofsted report like?
Like a pp said September is 3 months away- loads can change. And if he starts at this school anyway he and you might love it- you should give it a chance while remaining on a waiting list

Original poster
Californication1979 · 09/06/2017 21:22

Thank you. It's Ofsted good and certainly isn't a terrible school...I just really don't like it.

OP posts:
JassyRadlett · 10/06/2017 08:55

I still don't get the 'it's like a faith school' thing (my son is at a faith school which I really didn't want for him, but it's a nice school apart from teaching and promoting Christianity as fact) so I can understand the annoyance of having been allocated a school that isn't in line with your own values/beliefs. However I still don't quite understand the issue - diversity is an everyday thing, rather than just festivals, isn't it? How are they doing it 'every day', anyway?

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 10/06/2017 09:02

Well, my school would be described as pushing diversity. We have a huge map of the world with mini children (all different colours and some with visible disabilities) to show this. Our classes are named after countries not trees.

I find your attitude towards diversity upsetting. My class is very diverse so I am incredibly defensive of them. Just because we have displays that encourage acceptance of all does not mean we push it every day more than any other school.

My school also probably has reception children who like GTA but our kids are amazing! They are hardworking and love learning. And our teachers are fantastic and accepting not judgy like you

CarrieBlue · 10/06/2017 09:09

You'll find most schools include their mission statement as much as they possibly can - faith school or not. If it has an Ofsted good then it can't have poor results - you know the goalposts were changed for last years SATs, don't you?

SnickersWasAHorse · 10/06/2017 09:20

I think I'm quite liberal in my views but the school motto and ethos is "celebrating diversity"

You say you are liberal in your views but I really don't think you are. I cannot see why you would have a problem with this.

This 'small sample' of children from nursery? Is it in reality one child or a small group of children who play GTA? (I'm not condoning it for a moment but it does happen)

My thinking is not that you don't think the other children won't share an interest with your child but rather that you think the other children, who have parents who allow their 4 year old to play GTA, won't be the 'right sort' to be friends with your child.

Don't get me wrong I would judge a parent who lets a 4 year old play an 18 game and I would judge them harshly but that doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with that child or the standards of parenting of the other children.

Deep down I don't think it is the school you disapprove of but that the parents aren't nice middle class yummy mummies.

BertrandRussell · 10/06/2017 09:24

It can't have poor results if it's "good"

I would be very surprised if there are a lot of 4 year olds playing GTA.

Celebrating diversity is a good thing to do. How is it "pushed?"

WindyWednesday · 10/06/2017 09:25

What's GTA?

TheCrowFromBelow · 10/06/2017 09:28

Celebrating diversity can be about more than race and religion. It takes account of children being different, with different talents and different social backgrounds.
It's probably the school's mission statement which is why it's on everything.
Like other posters I think it's highly unlikely that all the other children are into grand theft auto but I think that statement says a lot about how you think of them- you're looking down at them because you haven't got a place at the "nice" school.

tinypop4 · 10/06/2017 11:21

Well if it has an ofsted good then it's not possible that the results are poor.
It's fairly clear that you are being a bit of a snob unfortunately - your son is lucky to get into an ofsted rated good school that celebrates diversity.

Lowdoorinthewal1 · 10/06/2017 19:16

Your choices are to home educate until a space comes up somewhere else or go Independent.

However, I would say that you can't tell what a school is really like from the outside. Even with many years experience in lots of different schools as a teacher, you still can't tell what a school is like from reputation/ visit/ job interview. It is the same for parents.

The school I work in is in a deprived catchment and the results are not the best in the area, but it's flipping amazing. Maybe give the school a go and see what it's really like. You could always move later.

Original poster
Californication1979 · 10/06/2017 21:10

Thank you.

OP posts:
Ericaequites · 16/06/2017 03:43

GTA= Grand Theft Auto, a video game inappropriate for all audiences. It condones immoral values.

2014newme · 16/06/2017 11:11

I find it very hard to believe about the Game. Have you discussed your concerns around that with staff? As at our school they have the parents in to discuss it if they believe children are playing age inappropriate games outside school, it could be a safeguarding issue.
I think you ate exaggeration about that and the diversity. Believe me it's not like a faith school.

MaryTheCanary · 19/06/2017 04:05

Look, the reality is that most middle class parents want their kids to go to school with middle class children as much as possible.

The OP is merely being a bit blunter about this than most people are (most people just waffle vaguely about how "our local school down the road has the nicest atmosphere and loveliest ethos!" without actually stating explicitly what the socioeconomic background of the school is...), hence she is getting criticized.

But the thought process that is going on here is common to most middle class parents, I would say. Whether they choose to admit it or not.

It's not really about GTA per se, it's about parents and kids and the attitude to school, and what effect that may have on the academic level and behavioral standards at the school.

user789653241 · 19/06/2017 08:54

My ds plays age inappropriate games. He is very academic and well behaved. He has very advanced and sophisticated vocabulary because of the game. I don't recommend to others, and he doesn't either, but done no harm to him so far.

iseenodust · 19/06/2017 10:18

I would give the school a try. I've come to the conclusion most children's experience of school is most influenced by their peer group.

If you know. as opposed to merely speculating, that nursery age children are playing GTA then you should raise it formally as a safeguarding concern. www.theguardian.com/society/2015/mar/29/schools-parents-police-children-18-rated-games