Deprived area primary school

[FreshCop]

If you had a choice would you put your child in a good/outstanding school in a deprived area?

Teachers will be excellent and do their best. However parent attitudes aren’t the best and probably a lot of chaotic home lives.

Or would you rather travel further to get your child in a school in a better area with more supportive parents interested in their child’s education?

Also if you’re a teacher it would be great to hear your perspective too.

To be clear: I posted what I did in response to the OP's smug and superior response to another poster about cleaning oneself up for the school run.

there is nothing wrong with making sure you’re put together when you leave the house and it does wonders for your confidence.

I feel the difference myself when comparing my scruffy days to when I’m all dressed
up for a busy day.

A lot of the time when you think people are looking down at you it’s what’s going on inside your own head.

Effort can do wonders for one’s self-esteem.

My DC went to a primary school in a deprived area with high numbers of EAL and FSM. The pastoral care was excellent. The staff really went above and beyond.

No concerns about the academic side of things either. My child ended Yr 6 with very high SATs scores and wasn't the only one to do so.

Do you know all parents personally?

Do you know all parents personally?

I didn’t say all, I said a large amount which is more than what I’m comfortable with.

A school assembly for the parents was called to discuss having been rated for having the worst vocabulary in the UK and how the school had to help with this, and suggestions from an expert on parents can support if possible.

We moved our DC to an ‘affluent’ area with a lovely small village school. I have to say they got the exact same education as the good school in the deprived area. Many of the parents were tax-dodging, cash-in-hand, swearing knobs who would sell their own granny so they were all self made millionaires - property developers, self-employed business owners etc. We also had snobby medical consultants who were Range Rover driving arrogant arses who would park on the ziggy zaggy lines outside the school because the rules didn’t apply to them. The yummy mummy trophy wives would talk all through the celebration assembly. I could go on…

Just because they have money, doesn’t make them better people.

Ok then do you know the large amount you refer to personally?

The school I work in is in a very deprived area. We have many refugees from all over the world. 95% FSM. 50% ESL. I’d be more than happy to send my children there because it’s a lovely school where everyone is made welcome.

Just because they have money, doesn’t make them better people.

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This.

I know people that dress to the nines on the school run and are absolute cunts and also palm their kids off at every opportunity.

And plenty of tired and less dressed up people have a heart of good and are just trying to get through the day as best they can with a heap of responsibility on their shoulders.

Money and being immaculately dressed doesn't mean a thing in reality.

I’ve never heard of any such measure.

0/10

A school assembly for the parents was called to discuss having been rated for having the worst vocabulary in the UK and how the school had to help with this, and suggestions from an expert on parents can support if possible.

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😂😂😂

Eh? that literally makes no sense? Struggling with your grammar there chuck?

I have spent the last 30+ years being a governor and Chair in inner City primary schools. If I had children I would happily send them to any of the seven schools I have worked with. Our FSMs are over 50%, 98% of children are EAL, yet our results are way above the National average. Our quality of teaching is superb because our staff are invested in our pupils, each and everyone of them.

A school assembly for the parents was called to discuss having been rated for having the worst vocabulary in the UK and how the school had to help with this, and suggestions from an expert on parents can support if possible.

I'd love to hear more about this mysterious rating of vocabulary. I've worked in primary for years and have yet to hear of such a system. Our Head would certainly find it interesting. What's it called?

@FreshCop when was the school graded outstanding? I’m a teacher and lots of schools graded outstanding haven’t had an ofsted for 5-10 years ( thanks Covid ) In my area, under the new framework these schools have been graded as Good this year .
So my first question would be - how recent was the grading ?
How far do I have to travel ? is it fair on my child ? Will they have friends locally - or will you be prepared to drive them to parties and friends ?

Also, if be looking at the school and facilities !!!

A good school can often be striving so hard for outstanding whilst and Outstanding one is stagnet .

Truth is , my first role was in an outstanding school which was absolutely incredible. The facilities of the school, the pride and expectations of the teachers. The breadth of the curriculum . I have taught for 12 years and nothing hAs come close . The reason the school is so successful is that it is in an affluent area and parents are hugely educated and the children are generally well behaved and parents read with children , learn times tables. . We have moved back to the area of this school and I am telling you - I’ll do anything to get DS in.

I would happily drive 30 mins to take DS there.

I am sorry to say this but I wouldn’t send my child to a school in a deprived area. These have been my specialism and I’m sorry but parents and children in these schools are not who I want my children to grow up with .

This is the truth and I’m not ashamed to say it .

I grew up poor and have worked so hard to get to a role as deputy head . I don’t want my children growing up how I did .

You clearly didn't get the point. I CANNOT dress up because I am a full time student, lone parent to a child with complex needs and struggling to find work to fit around lack of childcare in anti social hours. I live off about £300 a month maximum after bills and that goes on food and her. I don't dress the way I do for the fun of it (not in tracksuits looking miserable BTW you judgemental sow) BUT BECAUSE I NEED TO SPEND EVERY PENNY ON FOOD AND MY CHILD. My clothing needs come last. I seldom have the money to buy clothes from Primark nevermind elsewhere. So apologies if that offends your narrow mind.

And where I said I swear and look scruffy I'd like to know. Just because my clothes aren't branded doesn't make me any less of a person. Going by your judgemental attitude, I'm glad I've taught my daughter not to judge people on appearances.

From experience, I would absolutely go for the ‘nicer’ area. I moved from DS in year 4 from a school that had a catchment of lots of underprivileged children / families. He was over shadowed for many years. The teachers had so many other ‘bigger’ issues that his were insignificant to them. New school was a totally different environment.

Now choosing high schools for my youngest and catchment is an outstanding school in a deprived area. We went for a look round, it wasn’t for us. Sticking with the school most of their primary friends will go to.

Thank you JimmyGrimble. There should be more people like you.

Voice 21

They invited a consultant with expertise in expanding vocabulary to speak with parents about ways they can improve vocab at home.

Through this (above link), they provide support for parents, and they've introduced word flowers to increase the number of descriptive words in kids' vocabulary.

It was highlighted as a major issue.

I did that, then moved schools as the kids attitudes mirrored the parents.

Ignore the OPs and trust your instincts. The truth is that the involved and, let’s face it, mumsnetty parents, will be the ones sending their kids out of the area to school.

Vocabulary acquisition has been highlighted as a national issue post COVID, particularly in EYFS. You'd be surprised at the demographics too. The school is being proactive in addressing the issue.

I have spent the last 30+ years being a governor and Chair in inner City primary schools. If I had children I would happily send them to any of the seven schools I have worked with. Our FSMs are over 50%, 98% of children are EAL, yet our results are way above the National average. Our quality of teaching is superb because our staff are invested in our pupils, each and everyone of them.

I have never once questioned the calibre of teaching or the professionalism of the staff; instead, I have only ever praised the schools for being exceptional and going above and beyond other teachers who work in more affluent schools and face less chaos.

They have my utmost respect. However, even before they have the chance to begin teaching, they have a lot to deal with every single day.

Should I place my child in an environment where fewer of these barriers exist? This is what I am emphasising.

From experience, I would absolutely go for the ‘nicer’ area. I moved from DS in year 4 from a school that had a catchment of lots of underprivileged children / families. He was over shadowed for many years. The teachers had so many other ‘bigger’ issues that his were insignificant to them. New school was a totally different environment.

I had a similar experience in secondary school, and I would never want my child to go through anything similar.

I'm going to try my best to give her better now that I know better.

The characters that took up the most time and received special treatment from teachers at my school were the most violent, unstable, and trouble-causing ones.

I'm talking about spending 30% or more of the lesson just on them, giving them special attention, giving them their own desk, and having the teacher and other students walk on eggshells out of fear that one of the problem-makers would suddenly erupt.