ONLY THIRD WORLD SCHOOL IN BRITAIN

[inaiz]

CAN SEEM TO GET THE COUNCIL TO COMMIT TO REBUILD A DISASTEROUS SCHOOL,AN OLD SCHOOL WHICH IS DEPRIVED OF A SERIOUS FACELIFT....ANY IDEAS?

I do think that this is a case of the OP thinking that the LEA owes her school something. I really don't get why the parents are seemingly so vocal in protesting to the council but apparently so apathetic when it comes to actually doing something to change it. If my ds was at the OP's school I would be organising fund raising, lobbying local businesses for sponsorship and generally getting on with changing my ds's school environment for the better. If the council later found money to help then that would be a bonus but I wouldn't be sitting around waiting for it.

From what I have read the council considers that other schools are a higher priority for funding than the OP's.

inaiz..many of your gripes about this school sound as though they could be fixed, rather than knowcking the whole place down.

Why is there no hot water in the nursery? (There should be no hot water, only warm for handwashing anyway)

The toilet doors need fixing? Could some of the dads offer to come in and sort this out during a holidy/weekend?

The toilets need cleaning? Then surely the head should be having a word with the cleaner/caretaker?

What does the head say about having mainanence work done?

This is what I am talking about:

What is stopping you from doing the same??

School Extension Project

We recently held a number of presentations outlining the proposed building works that we are planning to undertake to improve the school facilities for all children.

School Extension Project

The Governors have consulted the Staff in order to ensure that the building works will benefit as many children as possible and provide value for money with the maximum possible improvement in the teaching and learning environment. Parents may feel that the existing facilities enable us to provide an excellent education but the new build provides us with many opportunities to enhance and further develop what we currently do. For example:

• Better facilities for small group and individual teaching, creative work and After-School Clubs.
• PE, Dance, Drama and Music will not have to compete for space in the hall.
• Indoor PE will be available for more children during inclement weather.
• The school toilets will be better suited to the ages and needs of the children and be accessible from the playgrounds.

For those of you unable to come to the presentations, below is a summary of our plans.

• Phase 1
  o New Year 6 Classrooms with upstairs storage space and new toilets

• Phase 2
  o Redevelopment of current Year 1 classrooms, creating an additional indoor hall to complement the current hall.

• Phase 3
  o New toilet block for Reception children
  o Conversion of existing toilets into storage space

• Phase 4
  o Development of a new school office to aid security
  o Relocation of the reprographic facilities into a secure room

The whole project will require an investment in the region of £500,000. Due to very careful financial management and the generosity of the PTA and parents, we already have a significant amount of the funding we require to begin Phase 1. We do, though, have a short fall.

We are looking to make up this shortfall from 2 key sources; local business and parents. The school council have put forward suggestions for fund raising. These include a sponsored walk and themed mufti days.

As a Board of Governors we will be making contact with a number of local businesses to see if they would like to sponsor or donate funds. If any parent has a business or knows of, or works for a business, which might be interested in making a contribution then please let us know.

We aim to re-launch the Gift Aid Scheme that the school originally launched some years back. This is a great way for parents to contribute what they can afford in a tax efficient manner. For every £1.00 that is donated the government gives us 28p by way of returned tax. In addition, any 40% tax payer can claim an additional 12p back at the end of the year.

Donations can be in the form of a lump sum or monthly standing order and you can donate as much or as little as you like.

The Gift Aid form can be downloaded, completed and returned in a clearly marked and sealed envelope to the school office. Envelopes will be sent straight to the administrator unopened so donations will remain anonymous.

Governors will be telephoning parents over the coming weeks to explain more about the Gift Aid Scheme, answer any questions and to see if we can get your support.

The building programme is due to commence at the start of the summer holidays with the new classrooms ready for occupation straight after Christmas 2009.

We would urge you to contribute what you can; all our children will benefit.

If you have any questions about any of the above information please do not hesitate to get in touch using the school office.

inaiz, i dont think the school in your video looks like it is only fit for demolition, it needs some work, yes, but not demolition. You are demanding them to knock down a school and build a new one, no wonder you are not getting anywhere.

Anybody with an ounce of sense would see this as a case of lazy and spoilt parents demanding something unreasonable and unecessary.

So, some of the building needed under pinning? So did my home 10 years ago due to natural movement/subsidence, glad they didn't decide to just knock it down....

I asked how pupils get a urine infection from the toilets? what type? cleaning is cheap as is soap and water

doors hanging off hinges... new hinges from B&Q and a group of Dads.... voila!

radiator pipes exposed... mdf boards, saw, nails and pta involved, boxed in... safe

Im sorry but you really are coming across as being unrealistic with what can be done by a group of volunteers on one weekend.....

MollieO, what a fantastic lot you are! shows you inaiz what can be done by parent/pta power. I wish you so much luck MollieO.

As I have said, I teach in a school built around the same time as yours, if it weren't for the fab pta and parents, it too would look run down..... we also have radiators and pipes exposed, the boys toilets which dont even have a window (and by the end of the day smell quite wiffy!!) are located next to our kitchens/school hall come dining room too, wouldn't be allowed today but never the less are there! Its our school and we are proud of it! its a bit scruffy round the edges still but so many parents are proud of where their children go to school that they all try to help and volunteer.

As others have said, what have your parents/PTA done to help the situation? anything? or are you all just expecting the council to find this money from the magic pot with no input or anything from those who use the school?

More action less talking... your school isn't the only one out there... stop just moaning about it and be seen to be doing something constructive

CowsGoMoo - it is a fab school but unfortunately we aren't in catchment so we pay for ds to go to pre-prep. It worked out cheaper than buying a house in the catchment area. The PTA is typical of other PTAs I know and I think that is why I am so confused by the complete apathy of the OP's PTA. I feel sorry for the teachers tbh as it can't be easy to teach when you have little parental support.

Should add that, at least where we are, active parental involvement in the school appears to be the norm fortunately. Very much a 'we can make a difference' mentality.

I once taught in a school that was in a Victorian school building (beautiful high ceilings!)that had parents just like the OP, making demands but not willing to organise any fund raising, decorating, general repairs diy etc....

The atmosphere in the school for the staff was awful. No matter how we worked to help the childrens education, it was never noticed as the buildings state of repair was their number 1 priority.

The children in class were seen to emulate their parents and all became disillusioned by the time they reached yr6.

I think I might leave this thread when really the OP doesn't seem to have any answer to their schools problems other than to knock it down and re build it. Lack of any real evidence (the school really isn't that bad) that it needs this level of investment is daft... where do they think the money comes from? Our school even has problems purchasing enough books...

Inaiz, if you are going to quote from the DCSF, ECM et al please read through them fully before quoting.

Your local MP sounds very childish, not going further than the hall... pathetic

Hope you all get yourselves sorted and your PTA/parent volunteers start doing some more active work in getting the school up to the standard you require

Having unrealistic expectations is one thing,the last time I checked having a toilet that has mould in it,rusted pipes that burst, causing a flood to half the school is another thing,and by the way the group that has initiated the parent action group and demanding a rebuild are all from the u.k..and taught in the uk....so I suppose they know whats on and not! a member of the coucil made an interesting statement....if our kids were found living like this, my kids would have been taken awa from me! And lets not forget we cant compare dampness of a household to the wear tear of school used by 600 students plus staff on an ongoing basis,there is no comparison!!!!
NOW to the point,AGAIN I reitterate extentions,a coat of paint, being proactive,fundraising is alright for a structure that is SOUND AND STABLE, so we can add on,colour ,paint ect-- sounds fair,but,
As you all may have forgotten: to the main concern; the building is NOT strong enough-weakened FOUNDATION,WHICH ULTIMATELY RISE TO FALL---eventualy!
And as for being proactive,have u tried walking in the snow,in the rain with your kids for two hours-4- three weeks-LOTS OF GOOD FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!
FUNDRAISING this is a state school,not a private one where the blame lies on the parents or own establihed businesse ect,and we have no problem to collect the funds if that is the need- to maintain,I dont think its the PTAs responsibility to rebuild a school!!!!!!!!!!!!!
trust u me its no fun and game to raise the awareness to a serious problem and to get the help and support,it is far more demanding than rolling up the sleeves and putting a lick of paint!(you need alot more than that!)
by the way lets not make it personal-
thirdworld-firstworld -its a figure of speech,just so that the emphasis of the problem is highlighted

Yes, there are other schools that probably need attention,but its their porogative to make the changes for their school.
our lead could be an inspiration-no?
beats sitting around and not doing or trying to do something about it!
and to all of you out there who continue to for get the foundation is weak,adding on is not a choice, rather daft don`t you think????

To MollieO-good plan of action,maybe you should be working in the council and cleaning up their mess,rather than trying to attack the PTA who is not responsible for this disaster,however,
IF the building structure of our school is sound, trust us we would not be even having this debate.
Obviously ur school `s structure is firm and its sound as though there is no need of concern to extend-yes? so to which I put fwd to you, what would you in your infinite wisdom suggest to a weakened foundation (that would continue to do so as time goes on-as the surveyors report say)should we do to resolve this matter.

"And as for being proactive,have u tried walking in the snow,in the rain with your kids for two hours-4- three weeks-LOTS OF GOOD FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!"

What on earth is the point you are trying to make? You want the new school rebuilt next door so you dont have to walk so far to and from?

Hi Cowsgomoo or should I say bye bye-Leaving the thread?,--difference of opinion-WE can agree to disagree-no?
I do agree that the kids emulate their parents but in this case I think its the reverse,when I asked one of my kids why do you always rush from school straight to the toilet, AGGHH no way mum,to which I inquired from the school,and lo and behold I know why?
and
as far as doing something about it(I thought I was, apart from all the meetings,with various groups and the beatings ,we will not give up to get a better school for all the children concerned!
Believe you me i have had a taste of both the worlds and my determination is even stronger after ur support.

2010aQuintessentialOdysse...,Hi there, you obviously need to think a little further than that!I didnt know you needed to only walk to - next door for support of a new school, which zone are you living in???????????? THIS IS THE POINT I HAVE BEEN MAKING,TO THE LOT WHO THINK WE NOT DOING ENOUGH -maybe you should join the group to physically see the amount of effort put into this! I HAVE just been invited to meet up with one of the counllrs, will have to walk down to his office,and not to mention my three yr old has just come up with the chickenpox,so I need to arrange a babysitter(interested 2010aQuintessentialOdyysse...) while I get off my ...... to go and do this! and oh by the counclr does not live next door to me

If it were ds's school I would be fundraising to get money for repairs/underpinning/new buildings etc etc. Whatever was needed. Not sure I understand the distinction between maintenance and rebuild. Both require fundraising and I really don't understand why your PTA is precluded from fundraising for rebuilding/extending/underpinning or other needed structural work. From what you say about the distinction I assume that your PTA must have a very odd constitution that precludes the type of fundraising for work that lots of other PTAs do.

The best way of resolving this is to call an EGM and vote to amend the PTA constitution. THat will leave you free to fundraise for whatever projects you like.

As for the toilet I assume it has been fixed but you want a shiny new toilet. I am sure you must have some parents who are plumbers or who know plumbers that could do the work for cost price. Why don't you utilise the skills of the parents to resolve the issues you have?

Shouting and placard waving really doesn't get anywhere. People will help people who help themselves. Have you lobbyed local businesses? If you spent as much time actually doing as you appear to spend in meetings you would see a considerable improvement in your environment.

Am rather sick of asking the same questions over and over again so this will be my last post on this topic.

Its rather dissappointing to see how tacky some can be and not supportive--hey this is the real world right?
AND I don`t see the need to explain every move the PTA is doing -I would think that would be expected out there (i.e. to know the obvious)

i agree with what MollieO has said.

i know our PTA has raised loads over the last few years to enable them to imprive the playground, add to the reception area and i think they replaced the loo as well.

(btw we have 4 loos for reception area, and 8 each for boys and girls for the rest of the school. and some kids dont like using the loos at school regardless of the state of them.

inaiz, you are ranting incoherently, you are not making your points very well.

May I suggest you dont use this attitude with real people you meet on your quest to better your school?

I am just a faceless stranger and ranting at me might make you feel good but wont make any difference. Instead you could use this thread as an exercise in trying to convince people WHY they should give you and your fellow parents at the school a new school, or serious money for improvements. The opposition you meet here, may be similar opposition you meet real life.

I dont fancy being anybodys babysitter, but thanks for thinking about me. I have a 4 year old and a 7 year old, elderly and disabled parents that I care for, and two jobs.

The difference btwn the fund raising is the huge amount of cost......rasing £500 000 compared to 2 million is far greater,unless you know anyone who would dish out ? besides u made mention u still havent even raise the full amount,and I DID NOT SAY WE WERE NOT WILLING to raise the funds,this is why the discussion is open,for different suggestions to be put in place at the right time,and by the PTA trying to do something in the light of rallying,or meetings,is one way of getting some kind of direction -no? WELL its a start! nice chatting with you.oh did I fail to mention that before we requested a new school,extentions,painting ect scrubbing toilets ect ect have been done?until the report arouse concern of the schools foundation?

2010aQuintessentialOdysse...,firstly I take umbridge to the fact that you say I am ranting,as I understand I am only responding to the remarks, rather than suggestions made by you, all we asked was that some kind of ideas put fwd in a very kind and decnt way,only to be offended at how lazy and incapable the PTA are,we are just trying,and as you put it to me don`t use that attitude...ditto.,
cause all I asked was for help,not opiniated comments about the amount of effort put into this project,we know we have along way to go and get help,and lot more of hard work as well, hence, we started a thread hoping to find good constuctive advise,as I read the last two pages its dissapointing to see how assumptions are made,but thank you for your kind advise.I will consider...

It sounds like a huge amount to do. You need a motivated and driven group of parents to get involved with the PCTA and governing body. What's the head like? God knows why the school has been in the state it has been for a long time... Nothing wrong with wanting to raise standards, good for you! The children deserve to be in a nice, welcoming environment. I truly believe that the school environment, both inside and out, can impact on childrens' learning and emotional well being.

It is a lot of amount of work to do,we the PTA ,the gorvenors and headteacher,staff have put an effort over the last eight yrs or so,but we come to the conclusion,its time for a rebuild,simply because we realise that patching up is not working anymore,that is why we have decided to put pressure on the council,if a suggestion is put fwd by the council to meet us halfway,than we will.
enough is enough blame is THE easy way out,we need a solution on how to make the council commit to our project.

inaiz, as a previous poster pointed out you are beginning to rant incoherently. There seem to be quite a few people on this thread interested in your school.

Could you tell us exactly what your proposal for the school is? You say it should be knocked down, but what time of school would you like rebuilt? From what I gather, the school needs to be larger than it is now, to house more pupils, is that right?

I gather from your posts there was a surveyors report. By whom was that commissioned? The school, or the LEA or someone else? Could that report be made public?

Where do you anticipate the children are schooled during the rebuild?

And if the school really is a health hazard to your children, why do you send them there? I don't know what the neighbouring schools are like, but having read the OFSTED report for this particular school, I wouldn't be rushing to send my child there.

Why you say, inaiz, "if a suggestion is put fwd by the council to meet us halfway,than we will", what do you mean?

The huts cost 500,000 each and they want us to have 3, so there's 1,500,000 towards a rebuild.
Also, the LEA proposals include a permenant extension on a newly built school, which they only require for one year, as the increase will only be for one year, 2,000,000 can be saved there!!!!

Half way to the cost of a rebuild!!!!!

Thanks to everyone please keep your comments going we appreciate your interest in our problems!!!!!

You may not agree on the methods, our demands are just and when we get there may be this 'accepting conditions' attitude will change and people will question these people in power who are abusing it!!!!!

Thanks