WWYD if your 7 year old said "I am wasting my life at this school"

[suwoo]

School got a 4 in recent ofsted inspection and is now in special measures. I realise it will turn around and probably become very good, but do we want to wait? Have mentioned to DD (year 3) about possibly moving schools and she was very keen.

A big factor may be that her best friend is leaving in 3 weeks to another school- not the one we would be looking at.

She has been complaining all of year 2 that she is bored and is finding the work too easy. She is very able, got level 3's in SAT's. I mentioned briefly my concerns to the head after year 2, but her response was an emotional one about how disappointed she was after DD had won the headteachers award .

I need to speak to the head don't I?

10 places - is there one or two classes in that year group? If one that does sound a worrying amount of spaces. What is the 'popular' school - why aren't you considering that as an option - is it oversubscribed?

It is oversubsrcibed now, yes. There are places at all the other schools though- we have a lot of schools near us, she could probably choose from at least 10. Maybe that is why. It is a one class intake.

Why don't you go and see a couple of schools, get a feel for the type of things you are looking for? Ask lots of questions. Do you know any mums with kids at these schools? Word of mouth counts for a lot IMO.

Maybe go back and visit the school you are considering again with dd this time as well? I would still meet with your current head though, see what she has to say.

I have been in lots of schools really. They both have a lovely 'feel'. The Heads have a code of practice and we need to get permission from DD's current head before we can have any tours or bring DD.

The thing that worried me most about your original post was the Head's reaction to the possibility of her moving. Emotional blackmail is not a suitable response to a valid concern about your child's education and suggests a rather weak Head who just wants to hold onto the children who will do well despite the school's efforts, rather than really take them forward.

Just my gut reaction.

I'm not a big one for moving schools, but in your position I'd be seriously considering it.

Very astute Smithagain. DD's best friends mum said when she went to tell her that her DD was moving, the head was like a 'broken woman'.

Oh, what to do........

I'm suprised you have to ask permission before looking at another school! I think I'd just do it anyway, what if the head doesn't give permission. Bollocks to that.

When we took DD out of school I just rang her old school up in the morning and told the secretary that DD wouldn't be in school that day or ever again as she was starting a new school. I never even heard from the head.

I'm surprised about the permission thing as well. What business is it of theirs how many schools you look around? I suppose if you take your child out in schooltime that might be slightly different - especially if you are lying and saying she is unwell!

The new head won't show us around without written permission from the current head. It is an agreement they all have. There are specific forms to fill in (with spelling mistakes)
I am dithering because the new school isn't 'all that'. It is in a deprived area and has a lot of attendance issues. Those things needn't impact on my DD though. What they are offering seems no different, although it must be to have scored a 2. Shall I link the ofsted reports for you all to see?

Whatever you decide - decide what's best for your dd - NOT what's best for your head teacher. You can't make this decision because you feel sorry for or embarrassed by a weepy head teacher

Suwoo.
I have read your other post about the ofsted inspection (im sure it was you.)
I am in a similar position to you at the moment (DD's school has just been put into special measures mainly due to safeguarding issues)so I understand where you are coming from.
One thing you must consider about the new school is that Ofsted are following new guidelines for their inspections now (only since this september i think) so best to check when the other schools last ofsted was done. Our last one was 3 years ago and the school got a satisfactory to good then, but has just been put into special measures mainly due to safeguarding issues (although there are other issues), The school would not have been put into special measures with the old guidelines. So if the new school had an inspection next week their result could be much different.
The safeguarding issue is called a limiting statement, so if a school fails to meet the safeguarding requirements they will automaticaly be put on a notice to improve or into special measures reguardless of how the school perform in other areas.
I have also considered moving DD as I dont feel she is progressing very much but cannot make a decision either.

Hi, Icanonly, yes it was me. I understand what you are saying about safeguarding and yes it did fail because of that. However, it scored 4's in all the other areas too- well apart from the healthy eating one . I will link to them both when DH off the pc- I'm on my phone ATM.
I obviously have ishoos with the other school or I would have moved her immediately. It is just the catchment area thing. I am being a snob about it I suppose and I'm ashamed of that, but on the other hand, I don't want to put her in that school as some kind of point to prove I am not a snob.

I dont think you're being a snob, just trying to get your child the best education .
Has anything been done about the safeguarding since the inspection? This will be the most obvious change for you to see. if it has then it shows the school are trying to improve and will probibably be improving in other areas too.
If you are unsure about changing schools i would wait a few months TBH (this is what I am doing). the school will be getting inspected again very soon, this will be without notice, the inspectors will just turn up and repeat the inspection. The school is also likley to get all sorts of funding and lots of input from from the LEA to help get back on their feet.
Is your DD's friend leaving because of the inspection report or was this decided before?
I think the overthinking is a result of having children, I am a nightmare since having DD(7)

Yes they have started locking the doors now .
DD's friends mum is similar to us in that the ofsted report has just tipped her over the edge but she has other reasons too.
Why are you waiting? To see what happens? I need to get DH and DD to see the school, I am not having this decision solely on my shoulders!

locking the doors, is that all? Would have thought they would make sure they had fences and gates in place so noone could even get as far as the doors ( except the enterance/office of course)
I am waiting because i am too scared to tell the school she is leaving I really like the school and hope it can turn itself around quickly, i honeslty dont think its a bad school i just think it has let things slip a bit, hopefuly this will be the wake up call they need???
Not sure if we will get told what happens at the first 'spot check' but I hope we do.

Ha ha Ican, I am also too scared to tell the school . I am just scared of making the wrong decision.

Here are the Ofsted reports:

Current school

Possible new school It is an old inspection though, nearly 2 years.

So, what do people think- given that both schools have a good 'feel'.

There seem to a huge number of schools "failing" because of "safeguarding" issues. IMHO OFSTED have gone absolutely mad. They aren't even looking at the school if the front door isn't guarded by a machine gun tower and half a dozen rottweilers... an instant failure ... madness!

That is a good idea starlight about the list, she would enjoy that. I think she may have very unrealistic expectations of the new school. She is very keen to move and I need to get the bottom of the real reason why.

DD is currently working on her list whilst I am mnetting in the bath on my iPhone. Will report back any points of interest.

Have you managed to make a decision about DD's school yet?