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Original poster

Really upset about Ofsted report - advice much appreciated

41 replies

schooladviceplease2015 · 26/03/2015 16:35

We've found out our DD's school has got 'requires improvement' in its latest Ofsted report.

It was 'outstanding' and then 'good' and now this.

We only have her, and she's only been to this school (the nursery). She's due to start FT in Sept.

I have had a bad feeling about the school since her teacher more or less diagnosed her with a serious learning difficulty. We took DD to the doctors who said he didn't have any issues with her. It was an awful experience and the letter which was written to us still makes me feel sick when I read it.

DD is (in our opinion) so bright. But as first time parents we obviously took on what the teacher had to say.

We had parents evening last week and now - despite her teacher saying all this just weeks ago - there is 'no issue' with her.

It's so confusing. I'm still confused about it.

So that's our experience. But given we were totally clueless, didn't know what to make of it all. I now feel this latest turn of events confirms things aren't right at the school. Or does it?

I don't know what to do next. DH thinks I'm blowing things out of all proportion and would happily keep DD there.

I was questioning things as it was and now I'm pretty sure I don't want her to attend the school come Sept.

But she loves her teachers, she's made friends and I don't want an Ofsted rating to cause a knee jerk reaction that could significantly impact her in any way.

I'm so worried about it all. Advice appreciated.

OP posts:
Original poster
schooladviceplease2015 · 26/03/2015 16:36

Sick with worry I should have said.

OP posts:
netty7070 · 26/03/2015 16:38

DS' school got 'needs improvement' at the end of his reception year. A few parents pulled their kids out. Now it is 'good'. He is thriving, his teachers are fab. Don't read too much into Ofsted and don't let one bad experience colour your view of the whole school.

BitchPeas · 26/03/2015 16:41

DSs school was 'outstanding' when I applied. A few weeks after he got in it went into special measures after the head left suddenly.

He is now in year 2 and it's the best primary school I've come into contact with. He's thriving, loves it and their pastrol care is excellent, they are now back up to good and are expected outstanding next time. The teachers have worked so hard and you can see how much they care.

I know it's worrying. But they will be under scrutiny now to improve so all is not lost.

StrumpersPlunkett · 26/03/2015 16:42

I would take time and read through the full report, where do they require improvement, what do they do well?
as much as people generally poo poo ofsted reports I find it useful to see them break down the different areas. I place greater emphasis on some area's than some other parents would.
I also wouldn't panic, very often the "requires improvement" attracts extra investment from the local authority that can only benefit the children there.

VivaLeBeaver · 26/03/2015 16:43

Chances are there will be a new head by sept, put in to hopefully turn the school round. Plus the school will ime get more money spent on it.

I was in a similar situation a few years ago. Already unhappy, dd struggling academically and then the Ofsted report came out. Dd started at a new school the day after the report came out. She was in year 3, Id say it took two years for the school to be turned round. But the first new head was worse than one who left. Next one was brilliant and the whole culture changed dramatically within weeks of her starting.

LIZS · 26/03/2015 16:48

Presumably you've applied for this school as first option? You can go on waiting lists for alternatives once the allocation is made. Have you seen the actual report and an action plan for improvements? Has this confirmed your unease or were you satisfied then doubts reemerged?

BackforGood · 26/03/2015 16:50

I agree with the others. I certainly wouldn't pay much heed to a 'headline' OFSTED grade - they come in with their own limited agenda each time, and lots and lots of places are being downgraded. I would read the full report, go to the follow up meeting. See what it is that OFSTED are picking over and decide how much of an issue that is in the context of the positive things about the school.

I'm more confused about what you say about the letter from the teacher. Did you just get a letter out of the blue? Did you not have concerns raised at Parents Evening or by asking you to come in and make an appointment ? I have to say that GPs are not generally able to assess dcs for non medical things so generally I would want to find out more about the school's concerns etc rather than rely on a GP consultation. If you really just got a letter out the blue, then that's appalling, but don't dismiss concerns because their communication is so bad.

tiggytape · 26/03/2015 16:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
schooladviceplease2015 · 26/03/2015 17:00

Yes was first option - council won't let me change it. I now have to make an in-year app if we want to go with another school.

I will read it as soon as I get home.

All I've wanted - like all parents - was the best possible education for her and now come allocation day we'll be feeling that we've not secured that despite moving, being on waiting lists, looking around schools etc etc etc etc etc.

You all know how it is. And no, in the big scheme of things it's small - as DH keeps reminding me.

In regards to the letter - yes we were informed via a meeting but nothing was mentioned in parents evening the term before and it's all suddenly 'resolved' weeks after at this parent's evening.

I understand what you're saying about the GP. I'm worried about that too. I don't for one minute think the teacher had anything but good intentions.

OP posts:
mrz · 26/03/2015 18:18

But school allocations haven't been made yet so until they are you don't know which school you will be offered and of course you don't have to accept you can look at other schools.

Original poster
schooladviceplease2015 · 26/03/2015 18:20

You when you think though that you have it all planned out...

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tiggytape · 26/03/2015 18:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Chocovore · 26/03/2015 18:47

We went from Outstanding to Special Measures and back to Good within a year. We kept all the same staff and I can't really notice any difference. It has always been a good school. Go with your gut, I would say.

ragged · 26/03/2015 19:19

DD's school was Satisfactory (the previous name for Requires Improvement) from Reception - last 4 months of yr6. She excelled while there. RI rating would mean nothing to me.

I would read the criticisms in the report and consider if they appeared important to me.

admission · 26/03/2015 23:17

Definitely do not do anything hastily. See what school is offered on the 16th April and accept whatever is offered as a starting point.
You do need to read what is in the Ofsted report but going from outstanding to good to requires improvement does suggest that there are some issues. Those issues may well be to do with the school being somewhat complacent about where the school is in comparison with other schools. Many things are relatively easily fixed and 12 months down the line the school should be on an upward trajectory.

Original poster
schooladviceplease2015 · 27/03/2015 09:15

Thank you for all of your advice.

The report is damning - and that coupled with our personal experiences has made my mind up (I think).

Our house was already on the market and I think this is the motivation to get it reduced and get moved. It's just a shame as before it was at our leisure and now there's a key motivator - Sept starting date.

I'm really upset that DD has made friends and loves her teachers and knows her environment. She's sensitive and this WILL impact her, which is something I never, ever wanted to do as I moved school as a girl.

I suppose we wanted to be celebrating come April 16. But we aren't the first parents something like this has happened to.

Thanks again.

OP posts:
tiggytape · 27/03/2015 09:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tobysmum77 · 27/03/2015 12:49

I think that you are overreacting massively. Have you thought that you could put dd into a different school and the same could happen? Schools change massively in the space of a few years. Dd's went from good to special measures and its all settled down again now. If the child is happy then let them be.

Fleurdelise · 27/03/2015 13:02

My DDs school went from good to requires improvement last year, I was very disappointed. The report was mentioning KS1 teaching as being quite bad and I personally agreed somewhat with the report.

Then the head changed and my DD (now in year 3) is having a fantastic learning experience, very personalised and I went from thinking that the KS1 teachers didn't even know my DD to being amazed at how well her current teacher (KS2) knows her now.

Somebody showed me how to read the schools league tables also and I discovered that in terms of achievements DDs school is doing much better than a local outstanding school in our area very sought after that was last inspected in 2007!!!

I don't know about you, but I prefer a school that has a goal to achieve knowing it gets inspected more regularly, than a school last inspected 8 years ago left to its own devices.

DarlingDaffodil · 27/03/2015 13:30

I find it hard to believe requires improvement would be 'damning'.
I bet there are some positives there.
Be careful op before you jump ship....

rabbitstew · 27/03/2015 13:34

What do you mean, "the report is damning"? If it were damning, the school would be in special measures. The school must be thought capable of improving under the current leadership, or it wouldn't have been given a "requires improvement" and thus time and the opportunity to fix itself (with lots of extra scrutiny from the Local Authority).

Original poster
schooladviceplease2015 · 27/03/2015 14:33

I mean the report was damning. Why would you question that?

OP posts:
Original poster
schooladviceplease2015 · 27/03/2015 14:35

It wasn't 'this school is generally okay with areas to improve it'. It systematically has picked the school apart.

OP posts:
Original poster
schooladviceplease2015 · 27/03/2015 14:37
  • in
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BackforGood · 27/03/2015 14:55

Agree with DD and Rabbitstew - if it were that bad it would have failed, not be given a grade which is just a rename of what always used to be 'satisfactory'
Obviously, there are areas it can improve in, but not failing either.

However, you've clearly made up your mind, so...