Refusal to send DD to school

[directaction]

Apologies, name change as considering some direct action against school and don't want to be identified.

DD in school that needs to improve and is currently in transition to academy status. LA running school with interim head. Lots of good teachers have left and posts are being filled with supply teachers - school cannot fill posts long term due to academy transition - they are only allowed to offer fixed term contracts. High levels of sickness as LA management is highly demanding and very negative.

DD teacher off sick, likely to be long term. Other local options aren't much better (also Require Improvement) or full, or not accessible as I don't have a car.

I am considering removing my DD from the school, but not from the register, until quality of teaching is more consistent - at present it involves a different supply teacher everyday, most recent ones haven't even been primary trained. I am not worried about being referred to Education Welfare. I'm not convinced that they would take me to court. I have been VERY involved with the school and know a great deal behind the decision making that has led to this scenario and I don't think they'd appreciate the publicity. What I do want to do is force their hand to more proactively manage our school and bring about positive change. We cant wait until transition, by then there won't be any staff or children left in the school.

Any words of caution/wisdom/ advice?

Thanks all.

Update - end of thursday school were unable to tell me who was going to be teaching DD on Friday - had been unable to book supply at this point, so I kept DD home on Friday. She will return next week as I have been assured that she will have a teacher who she knows for the week - we'll wait and see! Have been to say most senior teacher available at school regarding my concerns, but interim headteacher (placed by LA) is 'off sick'!

Will be researching all other options during course of this coming week with intention of ensuring DD has better provision in place (at this school, at home, or at another school) by beginning of next half term.

Our day spent at home was a really positive experience. DD had made a list of areas she wanted to explore or felt she wasn't quite understanding. I believe we achieved more in a day than she has all term. She has had at least 10 teachers since the beginning of term.

Why do some of us have to fight to get our children education? I thought this was the UK!

Don't know about the legal side of things, but agree totally with the poster who suggested flexi-schooling. It sounds like the perfect compromise for you both.

Maybe you could sell it to the interim head as necessary temporary solution for your daughter's particular needs, as it does sound like she is struggling with the current conditions.

Ladylapsang - in this scenario the tax payer is already paying for a service that isn't being provided!

I agree directaction! Unfortunately it is far too common a situation nowadays. We had a similar situation and ended up going private. For us this was the right decision, we felt we had no other option and have gone from being very disappointed to being extremely happy.

Obviously I am not suggesting this is the best course of action for everyone or even an option for everyone.

I guess the thing to come to terms with is that your actions as an individual are unlikely to change the situation regardless of the information you have about the school etc.

You need to find a way forward whether that be flexi schooling, Home educating or staying put. It is a horrible situation and I really feel for you.

flexi school is NOT up to the lea! it is done at the discretion of the head teacher, so you could always ask? i did it with two of my children for a while it was working well until the ht left and the new one did not like it at all! at that point we left the school and found another one.

btw i think you are doing the right thing but i cant see how you can get around the fine without deregistering.

BUT even if you do deregister there is nothing to stop you campaigning for improvement in the current school as you are a parent who would use the school if it were better, not all goveners etc have children in the school as a member of the local community you ohave a vested interest regardless.

At last I have managed to book an appointment with iterim head for tomorrow afternoon where I will discuss many of the issues and suggestions raised in responses.

I will also be visiting two other schools this week. DD should be at school this week, all being well!

Good luck! I hope you are able to achieve the results you are after.

Well, appointment with interim head cancelled - she is dealing with crisis in 'own' (sending) school. That'll be two weeks without any leadership then! Don't even have a deputy at the moment.

I'm deluding myself that this is ever going to improve, aren't I? Does anyone know of schools that are supposed to transfer to academy status that have in fact closed? It feels like that's what may happen here. Oh well, visits to other schools in the pipeline, then just need to work out how to get there!

So, an update for all you who offered wise advice.

They DID listen to me! Still not seen interim head - but that's a whole other developing story! Since refusing to send DD to school for one day and making a big noise about it I have seen so much action! There has been LA action and also intervention from our new sponsors. Things are looking up!

Lesson of that story? Never imagine that one person can't make a difference because, just sometimes, they can!

Good news! :)