Heartily fed up with school - year 11

[GnomeDePlume]

Apologies, this is a rant.

DD has been so let down by her secondary school. She is a good student, she works hard, straight As for effort. She should be nailed on As for GCSEs. This year should be putting on the final touches.

Instead she is having to double the effort to effectively do 3 of her GCSEs in just one year. The reason for this is poor teaching last year - they are having to re-cover work which should have been done and dusted last year. The poor teaching is a fact (teachers removed from subject, one fired).

Had a meeting with head today (intro to 6th form). I told him that DD had been let down by the school. He bleated a bit about how disappointing it all was. Wrang his hands and looked generally worried but of course can offer no real solutions. 'It was very difficult for them all' - told him this was no use to DD, he can put it behind him, DD has to live with the consequences.

Needless to say DD is not planning on doing her A levels there.

There arent any answers. The problem with the school has always been poor management. It takes far too long to deal with problems.

Very frustrating GnomeDePlume but at least your DD has a bit of time to improve her chances. Hopefully she'll have a better experience at A level.

It's a real pity but it does happen.

My daughter has a big issue in two subjects. All I have said is let's buy the revision books and print off past papers and face the issue head on (if it had been a core subject of E or M I would have involved a tutor too or requested extra booster sessions from school) It's not fair, but what in life is? Better to learn to take control of your own destiny when things get tough.

Hi, had a similar experience with A level in one subject for DD. She excelled at the subject and was predicted A* however the teacher in her final year was reacting to changes in his work pattern and decided to go on an unofficial 'strike' he would refuse to set or mark essays.I did complain to the head who had promised to do something about it but in reality the speed at what they could do meant that DD and other students were impacted.

I followed up later with a formal complaint which the school then has to register and investigate. It was upheld so will be noted by Ofsted. I would recommend this route and as others say - if the school is failing don't rely on them completely, get the additional tutors. I didn't and fortunately DD got through with a good enough grade to make Uni but on reflection I wish I had as I felt I have let her down.

I realise that life isnt fair. It's the damp hand wringing and bleeting from the head which really got on my nerves. It's the 'what can I do about it?' response. What I really want to do is shake the man and say 'manage the situation, that's what you are paid for'. The school has recently come out of special measures (again) and seems to have decided that a bit crap is an acceptable standard. It's the only school in the town so doesnt have the excuse of being a sink school.

Grrrrrr

Smum99 it's that getting a good enough grade which is so frustrating isnt it? You (and your DD) dont want good enough. You both want to see the rewards for your daughter's efforts and abilities.

Become a Governor Gnome. Hold them to account.

I know is annoying but all the time your energies go into being fed up about something you can hardly control, your daughter will be picking up the 'poor little me' feeling. It's not so easy to turn it around to 'right, this ain't going to beat me. I'll show 'em' but it will be a very worthwhile skill for when life throws the next lot of c**p at her.

I am not, by the way, condoning their useless management or the useless teaching - just trying to show how she is the one in control of her own destiny. They can make it harder for her (as they have) but they cannot take away her spirit.

No, you don't want good enough. Unfortunately it is what we often get (although I think it is probably rare to be like it for absolutely every subject). It's why those with money spend it avoiding these schools like the plague (and they even avoid pretty good schools as well). Probably just so they know they have some real say and control over a decent all round education for their children.

kez, the revision books ime are geared at the lowest students rather then the highest, and material to achieve b and a grades is often missing, so they are useful for REVISION of topics, and memorising things, explaining things in a clear and concise manner, but are not comprehensive, and are not a teaching aid.

I'm not saying they are little teachers but this is a case of making the best and moving forward. Past papers and revision guides (higher paper) and lots of extra work (in additon to what sounds like better teaching this year) to help this youngster make the best of the situation.

I reiterate. Im not saying it is fair, just that it happens and it's better to take control and make the best you can of the situation because, if you don't, you are losing time and you can't put on your CV 'would have done better if I had a better teacher'.

Try anything but do it positively rather than negatively. Ask the school for booster sessions (if they would be of any use). Anything positive.

Oh dont worry Kez, I am in regular contact with the school. Maths isnt a problem as I had to complain early on and have never let that one slide.

Thanks all for the tips about revision guides. DD has given me a shopping list and a sizeable order has gone in to amazon. She is a very active studier so hasnt sat back.

What this has shown me is that I cannot let the school out of my sights for a second (2 more DCs to go). DD reported that the head came into one of her classes and apologised to the whole class! This is progress IMO but wont mean that I relax my grip!

Good luck to her. I hope she nails them and then tells them where to shove their 6th form!