Any1looked at school and seen future potential??

[3asAbird]

but sadly not great yet.

looked at school with bad rep today.

hear dire things about it serves mostly large deprived estate

has bad historical rep

real mix of pupils.

the pan is 60 but drastically under subscribed.

reception had its own wing
2 large classrooms largest I have seen/
outdoor space amazing

this years r 2 classes 15 one 17 in other so 2 teachers 3 full time tas

thats practically private school numbers round here.

its last ofsted was satisfactory
its changed to academy year ago so no osfted or recent sats to look at.

Some other schools within academy group are good.
but they also take on some poor schools last few years.

head just quit

temp head.-seems very nice and honest

they very freindly any more questions, another tour nothing too muc trouble.

building large but bit tired looking

has large libary recently done.
large ict suite.

very good nursery next door.

am i mad considering as option.

how long does it take to turn school around?

They mentioned some sort time out chillout room-what is that?

its aims are to be outstanding and oftsted probably due next year.

Not mad considering as option as those sorts of schools often offer a fantastic education and experience for the children. But not always so go into it with your eyes very wide open.

Chill out room will be for children who need space for some reason and so need to get away from others/the main classroom.

On those numbers I'd have questions about their budget.

Just about every school will say it wants to be outstanding. The head makes so much difference, for me it would be a risk going somewhere with a temporary head. Permanent one might be fantastic. Or might not.

Why not ask the school if you can speak to some existing parents? My neighbour dud this and it was very helpful.

DD is in YR in a school with a bad reputation. It was in special measures 6 years ago but the last 2 Ofsteds have been Good. PAN of 15 but likely to go up to 30 as shortage of primary places, and school historically had 30 entry. Head very positive and keen to help (unfortunately leaving in July, so we will see...).

DD is in a class of 22 with teacher, TA plus 2 TAs assigned to statemented children.

She is bright and I worried they wouldn't stretch her as a lot of the intake is EAL. However, because Ofsted picked up on them not stretching the brightest ones a few years ago, they are pushing her far more than I expected!

Not mad at all, if you got a good feeling about it, and if the staff and children seemed happy and excited about the future/learning etc.

Our dds' school (also serving a large estate) was undersubscribed six years ago, and we had a lot of raised eyebrows from neighbours and nursery parents, but it felt like a school about to blossom...and we trusted our instincts.

A year later, Reception was full. Another year on, the school was turning children away.

That said, the Head had been there for years and had turned the place around - she retired a couple of years after dd1 started, but the new Head is fantastic and the school has continued to grow in leaps and bounds. We couldn't be happier and, more importantly, neither could our dds.

My only concern about the school you mention is that the Head is temporary - what are the plans for a permanent Head?

Should add that our school always had a 'Good' Ofsted since before the dds started - so possibly a few years on from this one.

Im considering this school as 4th fall back choice as its under subscribed.

this year numbers been low

im probably better off in april finding out what numbers will be and who the head will be then.

Its really hard as lots of local schools are all new builds and shiny new and this building this ones 1960,s 70s 2 floors and every room classroom and corridorrs are super wide, has huge amount outdoor space, good disabled access actually saw few wheelchairs which is nice its so inclusive.

Its last ofsted was good in 2009 its been academy for less than year.
The heads lasted not even a year but receptionist said they were appointed by council and dident fit in with academy ethos she was very honest.

The academy runs some school schools but its taken over some bad ones both similar demographics as academy primaries quite new here so dident really know how academy would run.

deputy head seemed lovely lot expereince borrowed from another school said they start advertising post in new year they in no rush want right candidate and that shes executive prinicipal so she will oversee the new head not sure their line manager or mentor or what but they manage the schools as a group.

she said feel free look at new academy which is actually in my la but be warned its bit different and entirly open plan but does serve a more aflluent catchment so be like chalk and cheese but opportunities and teaching quality should be the same and she said theres lot of work to do but current parents are on board but if childs already in school I guess most get on with it they struggling to get get people look at it and its massivly under subscribed in most years.

Theres actual shortage of school places yet some on estate are not choosing it. its had bad rep for years has capacity for over 400 and currently has 220 which is small compared to lots other local schools which kind of appeals as its small numbers lots of space.

The reception teachers young not newly qualified but nice.

said they have 3 kids currently need extra help one with behavioural issues, one wo does not speak english and 1 autistic but theres 2teachers and 3tas which is crazy amount for so little kids.

The receptions practically got its own block

own toiliets but unisex so girls oen side boys other shared taps-wasent sure if liked that.

She mentioned this room which again never heard of dident see it seen many schools visions of the cooler waterloo rd sprang to mind.

also she managed to get all parents permission to do nativty i guess as they more mixed faith school .

we have only ever done faith schools.
we are coe
dd1 attends coe school here there are mix of faiths.
our 3choices are all coe schools.

This school christains could well be the minority.
The esl is quite high but guess that can be positive thing.
They get quite a lot for pupil premuim.

other downers were

after school club offsite and bus its clearly big enough be on site but maybe demands not there.

After school activity clubs free but not open to reeption kids as they be too tired!

Music other than recorder practically non existant but sports/swimmig provision better than other schools
breckfast club subsidised at £1

school meals not problem of all ks1s are free next year but more expensive than my la £2.15 a day.

when asked head about extra clubs she said nice to have but had more pressing priorities 1st . They ot sure when ofsted will land and seem bit nervous about that.

The kids I saw seemed happy
I thourght reception at least be safe.

I looked at another deprived school last week normally oversubscribed liked infants but non junior bit, liked head teacher, but bad ossted and mixed ks1 and ks2s worried me and place was like building site but thats further away .

The non faith community schools nearer me are all huge.
1 is now pushy and has more mixed intake due to posh estate next door its taken its years to become good and ones peope would onsider but its so big.

The other has not long come out special measures is big and was our 3rd choice for dd1 but not sure it be right for dd2.

The other is less half mile wealthy area we stand little chance getting in, its coached for sats in ks1 and ks2 and most parents snooty not sure i could stand how cliquey that school is hence why not adding it my list.

Im looking for well performing mixed intake school not middle class hell or sink school.

I do know someone who sends kids there and shes very critical but guess its change most dont like and long term being academy maybe better for it but seems like a huge job to turn it around and wish could find some stats on its results as its new school as reborn as academy no sats to look at.

It could well be temporary choice whilst we wait for place at dd1s school.

we moved dd1 from school whos head left bad ofsted but was mostly personally down to dd1 was struggling.
But when we were there it was very unsettling lots moaning or eaving kind of depressed me being in playground

dd2 I thinks very diffrent - I dont want to second guess but she be 5 when she starts. dident ask about provison for gifted kids.
dd3 starts year after ad think he will need additional support so could be good choice for him.

I havent had chance to check school pickup see it they have dogs tied to railings or parents in pjs yet.

If i did pick this school everyone I know would think I lost the plot and would get school pitty.

ok done some more research,

when mentioned ofsted to r teacher she said last one was good they never been special measures.

but 2006, 2009 were both satisfactory and there was section 8done in 2011 said school had improved but was still satisfcatory.
it shut down in august 2012 and reopened in sept 2012 as academy.its increased its pan fro 45 to 60 but undersubscribed in ks1.

She mentioned celbration assmebly thourght great do parents come . not at present they trying to get better involvemnet from parents and the pta only been running a year!

Im trying to keep open mind and not judge.

im not sure how judge behaviour in the school.

wish i had some more recent info

The sats are below avaregae with few reaching level 3 in ks1 and level 5/6 in ks2.

But if numbers so low next year.
does ration of 2teachers and 3tas seem really good?
The capcacity for reception early years to be lovely is good .
liked the classrooms and the outdoor space.

dd2 seems bright keen start school or would home ed still option.
shes 5when she starts,
she currently attends ofsted outstanding nursery in naice middle class area and goes to naice midle class preschool in village hall wher they been doing stuff like writing names, number work so worry is she be ahead of rest of class as says they start off at below expected level when they join the school

Would it be huge culture shock to her to hear so many different languages, other faiths and a few kids needing lots of support.