Ofsted ratings

[Phoebe47]

My children's primary school has just had an Ofsted inspection and the result was Requires Improvement (the previous two Ofsted gradings were Satisfactory but Requires Improvement has replaced this grading under the present Ofsted ratings). It is a lovely, happy school and my children have had great teachers and are doing very well (they are in Y1 and Y2). The Head is very good and has tried hard to improve the school and I feel so sorry for him as he is so committed and really wants the school to improve. My children have very good teachers but I think some of the long standing teachers are a bit set in their ways and not as good as my children's teachers and that this is why the school is not improving. I know several schools in a neighbouring LEA that have been deemed Satisfactory or worse have been encouraged to become Academies (one of them a Primary school) and I am wondering if this may happen to my children's school. I am not in favour of this as I feel they are not yet tried and tested and also the financial arrangements for them are dependent on sponsors who could, in theory, withdraw from them. Am I worrying about nothing though?

Unfortunately you are not worrying for nothing, many schools are becoming academies. Those that have been slated by Ofsted will usually find themselves being forced that way eventually.

Gove wants all schools to become academies, resistance is really futile.

Requires improvement does not in fact mean that the school is considered to be inadequate and in theory the school therefore will not be expected, as in pushed, to become an Academy. That is not to say that the school will not come under some pressure. However the governing body should be able to say no to such pressure.
Requires improvement is in effect saying that the inspectors had confidence in the head teacher and governors to improve the school. The worry for me would be your comments about the longer standing teachers being too set in their ways. That happens but it is for the head teacher to make the changes that will make the longstanding teachers change their ways. Your post would suggest that so far he has not been prepared to take this necessary action.
The school is now funded exactly the same way whether the school is an academy or a maintained school, so being a sponsored academy would make no difference to the day to day funding of the school.
I would speak to the head teacher and see what he is saying about the future.

Thank you for your replies. Perhaps I am worrying unnecessarily as no primary schools have become academies in my LEA yet and only two secondary schools have done so. It seems to be the future though so maybe just have to change my mindset and accept it.

My son's infant school was Ofsted graded 'Outstanding in 2009 consequence of which it became oversubscribed, with parents travelling in from neighbouring villages for it :0

This year, it's been graded as 'Good' with reasons mostly being because 4 of the 6 teachers had changed.
In fact, some of those teachers were leaving for maternity, retirement or transferring to another town as they relocated, so not a reflection on the school's actual ability at all.

It was also graded on the fact Maths and Writing was not as good as to be expected in Reception, so that may have been down to 2 of the leaving teachers excelling in those skill areas.

As a new parent at the school, this last week I've listed to schoolgate gossip about the Ofsted grade and am so surprised to hear it actually means something to people, that one parent was disappointed enough to want to remove their child already after just two weeks in Reception. Having met Reception teachers on several occassions now both in school inductions and a home visit, I find them amazing and committed people and also warm and empathic just ideal for my child, as surely Reception is all about learning through play as they say, so that the emphasis on the Three Rsis only gently introduced (if at all?) at this stage anyway.

I deplore Ofsted grading. Even if this school is graded to special measures I would never move him, because ultimately, his teachers are just wonderful in my personal experience,regardless of what inspectors report. That really is all that matters to me :)