DS's school GCSE results 35% - not improved in last 4 years. Time to panic or move him??

[friendlymum67]

We took a chance on sending DS (he is going into Yr 9) to the school in the first place as it went into special measures in 2008, but he really liked the school and we figured the only place it could go was up!!

Sadly that is obviously not the case. The Head that was brought in for SM resigned in June 2012 under mutual agreement with the Board of Governors, currently the Deputy Head is in charge.

As a parent I have supported the school 100% and started working there recently but the latest results have worried me.

What is your view from the inside?

What is each departmental policy on setting, options, entering students for foundation vs higher papers, GCSEs vs BTech?

Basically, is your DS able to access the full range of opportunities in this school?

What is the achievement of the top student?

Try not to panic. Are the governors still in place, or has an Interim Emergency Board been appointed? If the governors are still there, then there must be some level of confidence that they know what they are doing. Is the Deputy any good? I expect they will be advertising for a new HT ASAP which ought to bring improvement. I teach in a school which came out of special measures a year ago. When we went in, the HT left (jumped before he was pushed) and the governing body was dissolved. The new HT is very strong, and we were supported by the LA. However, it was the HT who made the biggest difference.

If the results at your DS's school were well below expectation, it may well trigger an OFSTED inspection. I expect they will then decide whether the deputy/ a new HT can make the difference or if further action needs to be taken.

Is your son in the top sets? In a school I know if in the top sets they will solidly come out in that 35%. It is kids in lower sets who you have to worry about. However you also have to look at the reasons you choose to " risk" it, and I'd they are true from your now insider knowledge.