What do you do if it feels like DC primary is heading down the pan?

[Pantone363]

And all the other primaries nearby are full?

I don't put much stock in league tables (and school was very much middle of the road) when DC joined. But I liked the feel of the school, it was quite small and overall the DC enjoy it.

I was on the governing body for my two years when DC were small and was shocked at heads attitude to parents (basically any failings in the school are down to parents, despite the next school along which takes a significant amount of FSM kids gaining better results). The results were going down and down which was blamed on a combination of a poor cohort, a bad year of bullying trouble in the class and then a change in teachers throughout the year) these were results over 3 years.

Today I noticed the school has published a league table of local schools (the 20 nearest), however they have published the list in alphabetical order so at first glance it doesn't look like our school is bottom.

But we got the lowest results for level 5 SATs (21%) and the lowest average point score (27.1).

We have an average amount of FSM and below average children with SN. My own kids are FSM so I'm in no way blaming them.

In this situation where results are still failing would you ask the head for an explanation? Are we allowed to ask that or not? Would you think about moving schools?

Apols for any typos, typing this in the bath one handed!

I would definitely keep moving an option, and bearing that in mind would try to have a frank discussion with the HT.

IME a good school is led by a good head. If the HT is in denial and blaming parents for school issues I don't think there's a lot you can do.

Unfortunately I have 3 DC at the same school so finding somewhere with 3 places is impossible.

Is like to make an appt with the head but it feels like I'm asking her to explain herself what I would like to know is if these results are another anomoly

Anomaly

do you know what the class is like in that particular year because that can make a big difference.
are your children happy there?
are they progressing?
if there is no other choice of school you will have to either move or concentrate on making sure your dc do well in spite of league tables.

but to be fair the league tables themselves are published in alphabetical order.

level 5 is quite high though.

They're not particularly progressing in maths. DD moved two sub levels over two years. Smallest DC is in reception which is a fantastic class and always gets praised by OFSTED. It seems to be YR 3/4/5 they slip down and then improvement in YR6 (staffed by one of the senior teachers).

I asked DC about moving and they weren't bothered except for smallest who loves reception.

well I think you should be able to ask the head to explain herself really....she is on payroll and is expected to get results and educate your children...maybe if more were held to account ....

year 6 most schools want improvement as that is the league tables and SATS.

Have the governors stated a view ???

On the results? No nothing except the league tables up on the notice board.

Well they should be challenging the HT as to what is going on. They are responsible for that

Eek can't imagine the head being pleased if I went to the GB for an explanation before her...

Sorry I more meant that they should be doing it all the time anyway as that's part of their role. At our school they scrutinise the performances of each year and each core subject looking to drive success. This includes also inclusion in sports, music etc The GB can sack the HT ultimately !!!

I think the more telling figure to look at would be what percentage of the cohort got a level 4?

If the results really have dropped or are continuously bad, then I suspect they'll get Ofsted in fairly shortly. One local school dropped form Outstanding to Inadequate when they had two bad years and Ofsted came.

Was it genuinely a bad cohort (results at my DC's school are like a yo yo)?

Also, the headline level of Level 5 requires level 5 in everything - what are the individual number of children gaining level 5 in individual subjects?

For example, my DS in Y6 is likely be entered for the Level 6 paper in reading and maths, but is currently a Level 3A in writing. He won't be featuring in the Level 5 in everything stats.

Results aside, what do you actually think about the school?

OP, I've had a very similar experience, so I sympathise deeply. I considered homeschooling (thoroughly impractical for us) in desperation and I've been on the waiting list for other schools for two years.

Here's my suggestions FWIW.

First of all, you say that you have three DC's at the school. Do check availability for all your DC's years, especially the eldest, as there is usually space in the higher years (though not always). If there is a space for eldest DC you might want to consider taking it, which would then "bump" your other DC's up the waiting list to top priority, as the sibling rule would kick in. I know this would probably cause disruption in the short-term, but might be worthwhile in the long-term.

Secondly, if the school is failing your children, then YOU have to step up and fill the gaps. Hire a tutor if you can afford one, or create your own before/after school programme, so that you're satisfied that they're being adequately educated. And you don't have to be all tiger mother about it - you'd be amazed what can be achieved in a daily half hour. I've done this and my DD has really made fantastic progress, so it can be done.

Good luck!

Thanks all.

L4 is 74% (not sure if that's good or bad)

We've hired a tutor for DDs maths.

Regarding how we feel about the school.....if I had the chance to move them I would. Mostly because of the head. Being on the governing body was an eye opener into her attitude and that they'll "have to carry me out of here in a box". She's been head for a long time. She was off for 6 mths last year and the deputy head was great, she made some useful changes to the newsletter and website (all of which the head changed back).

Just re-read and that didn't really explain my problem with her.

Her attitude towards the parents is awful. Very paternalistic. She seems to see herself as a saviour of all the poor children who's parents don't care about their education.

I remember her explaining away poor literacy results with the excuse that "the parents at this school don't talk to their children". She gave an example of asking all the kids on assembly if they knew what a X was (x being an perfectly normal occupation) and that no children put their hands up.

I know for a fact that my DC know what one is and would be surprised if 90% of the older kids didn't. She said it in a very shakey head poor neglected kids who's parents never talk to them way

I wouldnt like that attitude Pantone , however there are plenty of judgmental teachers about sadly. though you shouldnt expect it in someone as well educated as a head teacher