school move imminent, may only get offered place at "special measure " school - HELP

[greenteen]

We are about to move to Lewes (in 2 weeks) and I spoke to the school admissions today. The likelihood of getting any of the schools I had hoped for - Western Rd, Wallands or Southover - seems very unlikely. I also heard about Pells being given a "Special Measure" Ofsted report and am worried (because I have no idea what this really means) that this school will be the only one with a place. Have parents moved their DD/S because of this report? Also if I am offered a place here for DD am I obliged to take it or can I refuse. Please advise

Although it appears bad, I am of the belief that any ofsted regulated institution under Special Measures will be making the most concerted effort towards excellence possible and that all stand to benefit from this in a big way.

A school in SM will be getting a lot of intensive support from the local authority to improve, BUT it's often a very long uphill struggle which can take years, particularly if it's to do with poor teaching and leadership - capability procedures take ages in education and can get very protracted. Also bear in mind that schools only end up in SM when just about everything is a problem.

You can of course refuse the place, but you can't insist on a place at a full school so realistically the SM school might be the only option. You could put your dc on the waiting list for better schools and move them as soon as places become available.

greenteen - our school was put in sm a few years back. Instantly we got an interim head, lots of money and all the staff worked their backsides off. Within 6m it had improved vastly and within 17m it was out of SM and classed as 'good'.

It isn't the end of the world. Have you been to see it yet?

Hi OrmIrian - No. We are moving back to the UK from abroad and had only visited the schools named so had put them on the admissions application - see "Primary Schools in Lewes" thread which I started before the decision to move was made.
I´m just feeling a bit stressed by the whole Christmas, moving house & country and now school place - thing. The school DD is at now is lovely and I think the move for her would only be slightly stressful if she went to a school she had already seen or one which she already had friends at - all of which had places until a short while ago. I know that no place is guaranteed, I just don´t want to keep moving her (only child etc..) but I guess if we have to, we will.
Thanks

Oh I see. That is difficult .

But try to hang on to the hope that sm might be the start of a massive improvement.

Back to your OP, IME a few parents moved their DC when the school went into SM but not many. The ones that went already had concerns.
Of course you can refuse the place but they aren't obliged to offer you another place instead.

Hi greenteen, nice to see you appreciated all of us who took the time to reply.

Dear hobbgoblin

Sorry, I am new to this - am I supposed to reply personally to everyone or just the people who ask a question?
Of course I am appreciative of any replies, but I have just logged on after a long weekend of too many other things to do - like packing up my house, sorting out my rental agreement on where I am going to live, booking ferries and saying goodbye to my dear friends. Not at all stressful !!!!