Brooklands Conundrum

[Kanopsky]

We've found a nice place near Brooklands Primary School (SE3) but there's a real contradiction with Brooklands results. The Ofsted is in Special measures but the recent Sats are outstanding.

I understand there used to be an excellent Head who was replaced by someone who undid all the good work(hence the special measures). Following that the position was shared with the Halstow Primary Head - but now that head is long-term sick.

I don't know if there have been any developments since then. Does anyone know what's going on? The school news letters look interesting but that doesn't tell you much.

There's also John Ball down the road but if Brooklands is a good choice then it would be nice to move to this new place.

Thanks all

You need to go on the OFSTED site, look under inspection reports and see why the school was put into special measures and when. There may also be follow up inspection reports that give an indication of what is happening at the school and how the inspectors think things are going.

It may well be that the school is making real steps forward, in which case you could be making a very good decision. However it could be that the school was put into special measures because while the results are good the school is "coasting" and is not really getting the best out of the pupils. This will be indicated again in the OFSTED report.

I think that is why Brooklands was put into special measures. It never got terrible results, but it had a poor value added.

However, I was delighted for the school when they got perfect Sats results last year. They must be one of the only schools in special measures to score so highly. My dc do not go there, but I would not hesitate to send a child there. AFAIK it is still oversubscribed and is still a good school with a good reputation locally.

Thanks both

How do Brooklands Parents feel about the news that the partnership with Halstow is to be formalised into a Federation?

a federation with halstow can only mean good news for brooklands - what will happen now to halstow with the head off sick?

Head's back : but isn't it better for every school to have a good Head?

Agreed Halstowmum - but maybe the Federation will help Brooklands back to a stable position of excellence, at which point it might be more likely to attract a permanent good headteacher?
I am a long-time SE Londoner and can remember a time when Halstow was on the long haul up and Brooklands was so popular it had a ludicrously small catchment area (three back gardens on the Cator Estate). Schools wax and wane IME.

Hi

Wondered if someone could explain the Federation. I haven't heard of it and can't find anything online. We have applied for our daughter to go to Brooklands and find out tomorrow morning.

Cheers

Felix555: I'm a parent at the other half of the proposed federation and am not more well informed than you.
There's a meeting tomorrow night, so may know more then.
Suggest you ask the school / the authority if concerned? And lets share info! (Don't worry - Mina's right, Brooklands a good school, just gone through a horrible time recently).

Hi HalstowMum,

That would be great. We found out she got in which I'm pleased about but keen to understand as much as possible about future plans. Did you manage to learn anything useful?
Cheers

I have to agree that Brooklands does seem a really good school. We recently went for a visit and they have a new system set up with a Head of School so despite beign federated this new Head is there all the time - he seemed really nice - very welcoming. I read lots of the reports and was sceptical as it did not paint a good picture however you to see for yourself how things have obviously moved on from some of the older links and older reports. They have this creative curiculum where the children get really actively involved in their learning - we saw an amazing Victorian day on the day we went to visit. Just shows you can't rely on just reports. We applying for our daughter for reception so just hope she gets in now!

Hello Ladies, Can anyone give me their personal opinion of the following primary schools and rank them:Brooklands, Halstow,John Ball and All Saints for me?

Cheers!

My DS has also recently been diagnosed with ASD will this give us any priority - would love to hear from anyone with experience in this.