State primaries - what would you change if you could?

[maggiethecat]

Must say a big thank you for all the posters' help on previous threads related to our prospective move to Edinburgh.

We've just visited as a family and had a good time. Fortunately it was mild when we were there and generally we had a good feel about the place.

We've narrowed down list of schools to 2 states and 1 private.

Had a very good feel about Sciennes but must say that I am still a bit concerned about the numbers - said to be probably biggest state primary in Scotland. It occurred to me that they probably have to use supply teachers regularly. I would change this if I could.

Also, playgrounds seemed very stark and uninspiring (apart from being small for the number of children) - if I could I would try to get some greenery in. Playground markings - hopscotch etc and some play equipment might also be nice.

Are these reasonable wish list ideas? What would be some of the things that you would change?

Didn't want to read and run...

Glad you had a good visit, here are some of my thoughts.

1. All the old Victorian primaries have the same type of small,tarmaced (sp?)ground. You can normally take a guess on how active the PTA is in regard to extras found in the grounds i.e.flower tubs, extra seating and play equipment. Budgets are tight so it is normally the PTA/Parent Council who will fund and take care of these.

So I guess on my wishlist would be an active forum of parent and teachers! Check the websites of the schools in question and see if their Parent Council/PTA websites are current.

With regards to the things I'd change, are we talking about the grounds or in the wider sense of education/school meals!! etc

Thanks for taking the time Kaumana.

Interesting point. I was actually put on to someone from Sciennes parent council and he sounded very enthusiastic and it seems that the PTA is very active; they've also done quite a bit of fundraising.

My dd's current school PTA is quite active and although there is a large tarmaced (not sure of sp ) space, we've given money for doing nice playground markings - hopscotch, snakes and ladders etc. I remember watching bemused one day as a few girls were playing marked out snakes and ladders and they did not have a dice so one would look away and put up fingers for the number of jumps that someone else should make - v cute.

Our school also has flower tubs and managed to carve out a small awe and wonder garden with seating.

I was asking about things in general.

Hmmm, where to start!

Larger playgrounds with green space.

Smaller class sizes not just for pupil teacher ratios but generally having more space in the classroom.

Specialist teachers in music, pe, art,drama etc not just for a few weeks per year at a time.

Language teachers that are native speakers or have at least done a degree in the language not just the few day course, teachers can take in how to teach any foreign language in primary schools!

There would no teachers that were uncomfortable in the teaching of math and could explain the different ways you can approach problems.

Teachers that are not bogged down in bureaucracy, busy ticking boxes. Don't get me started on the new PDPs.Coming from England you will not have the joy yet of your childs report card stating your child has awareness of numbers to 100. I have an awareness of quantum physics, can I put this on my cv? In otherwords tells you nothing.

Post curricular clubs of all types.

Above all, pupils regardless of academic ability are supported and encouraged to be the best they can be in all fields!

IMHO

aahh, food for thought! Rushing off to pre-school committee mtg (we'll be seeing what we can do to raise more funds!!).

But will ruminate on what you've said.

I agree with kaumana especially after school interest clubs. I would also like better equipment and books. Why should the PTA have to raise funds for smartboards? Why should our kids get tatty 20+ year old books. But one thing that money can't buy that I would like is better discipline and teachers able to discipline the kids without fear of the PC brigade, although I am definitely not in favour of going back to the belt days.

cuckooclock Could not agree with you more!

Kaumana, back from meeting - everyone brainstorming about raising funds - table top sales, mufti days etc. Tiring but refreshing that there are a few willing to do this.

Back to your post - if only........

It appears though that numbers are supposed to fall and from Aug 2011 class intakes should be around 25. Hopefully this will mean more manpower and physical resources to go round.

Cuckoo, I too would like emphasis on discipline and 'old fashioned' values - respect, courtesy etc.

Dd1 goes to RC school in England and I wonder if I take for granted fact that children are generally well mannered etc.

Sounds like you have a great PTA!

I would take a LARGE pinch of salt with any info you have been given re future class numbers.

K

You're right! When I pushed the council staff about how they planned to effect the reduction he was very vague and seemed to suggest that a class could be at 30 but under the legislation they might get an extra teacher. So I don't know if they are talking about reducing class sizes or actually ratios??

Which other schools did you look at?

Looked at Sciennes, St Peter's, Flora's, Gillespie's. Two privates - St George's and Mary Erskine.

They could be talking about team teaching, where they can basically pack as many in as they can fit as long as they employ another teacher to help in the class.

For example when the idea of 25 children in P1 was first raised South Morningside which has 3 classes per year, changed its 3 x 30 norm and had two classes of 25 and one of 40 with two teachers.

It was not popular and since the Scottish government had not legalised the 25 cap they have since gone back to 3 x 30. 30 being the legalised cap in Scotland for early years, there is no cap further up the school.

I get the feeling talking to them that the council are making it up on the hoof.

Hi
Just seen this. I spoke to the Scottish Government and the council about class sizes last year. They both said that they felt progress was being made towards lower class sizes of 18-25, but that it wouldn't be possible in popular schools. So, Sciennes is always likely to have the maximum legal class size.

To be honest I think our school has the balance right. They have lots of green space and are right next to a local park which they can access without walking round the long way. They have 2 trim trails suitable to ages. They have a wide variety of different games and equipment for the playground and for the pe curriculum. They have great IT and a dance/drama hall, gym hall and a different lunch hall. They tend to have larger infant classes but natural waste means they have smaller upper school classes. They have learning assistants who are expertly trained and trained to play in the playground.

Now if they would just use their flaming lined paper, I'd be 100% happy and not 99%