School rated as inadequate just before your child is due to start

[N0rfolkEnchants]

Great!

My DD went to the same school four years ago and it had an outstanding rating, now my DS starts in September and it's inadequate - mainly surrounding not being robust enough re bullying, teaching being very up and down and them not bringing on their SEN children as they should - other issues too. I didn't personally think they deserved their outstanding back when my DD was there and it looks like they've gone downhill from it very rapidly

School have responded with all the right noises. New head coming in for September and they have already begun to put in place new measures etc

Would you still send your child there? Our only other school which I could consider is a 200 mile a week round trip so not really feasible to be honest with my work commitments

They all go in cycles, get a bit complacent or OFSTED move the goalposts and they get a bad rating, then have to make changes and improve. My son is being sent (our 3rd choice) to an inadequate secondary, but I see signs they are pulling their socks up. It doesn't sound like you have another realistic option anyway.

If the school has a new Head, I have no doubt they will start to improve. When you look around a school, you are never going to know the quality of teaching. It’s inpossible. You can check out the progress stats though - just like Ofsted have done! If they are all well below average, the inevitable conclusion is poor teaching. Bullying policies and action is another one that’s difficult to judge on a visit.

It seems you have little choice. If the school really intends to improve, you should notice fairly quickly. Not just uniform tightening up either. Changes in the classroom and the children feeling safe.

No. Based on the bullying and SEN issues as my (old enough to be thinking of secondary) children deal with both.

Yes, particularly as it sounds like no sensible alternative anyway!

I'd want compelling reasons to move a child from school (Ok they haven't stared yet, but mentally at least they are expecting to) and one report is not that.

hmm, I think it depends on your ds. If you think he is likely to be targeted by bullies, or if he has SEN, then it is worth considering an alternative.

Bet generally, a new head and an inadequate rating together will mean big changes. The whole school is likely to get a shake up. They will quickly become very good at those areas where they were bad, eg zero tolerance for bullies etc.

Quality of teaching is probably related to high staff turnover, due to poor management and behaviour in class. A new head should mean more stability

Thanks for the comments

He doesn't have SEN but he's quirky for want of a better word. Lots of friends at primary and his behaviour is exemplary but he is only just average academically so he does need some help. He was on the SEN register until he was in year 4 and he's made remarkable progress but he needs encouragement etc and I worry he will be overlooked as he is well behaved

Oh well

No real feasible option although I work from home so I could devote 2 hours a day to a school trip if I absolutely had to

Good to know you feel the new head will be looking to crack on

one thing is to watch the situation like a hawk, and to intervene very quickly and firmly and insist on action if things go wrong.

If a new head is coming in things could turn around rapidly.
I'd stick with it and only move if I didn't see major changes within a year.

I wouldn’t. This is a crucial stage for children this age and I’d rather put myself out if I could, timewise, than risk my child’s education and wellbeing.

A school that is in special measures will improve, usually, but not within 18 months.

It sounds like you have a tough decision to make and you have my sympathy. Is dad able to help out in any way?

Yes. Our school is in this situation. But from RI, eldest DS leaves this week (year 13) youngest DS is in year 10. The school is a bog standard comp, with 68% getting the grades they need.
Bil and Sil are sending their DD in September. Ofsted isn't all. Seeing the conversion process is reassuring.
Plus we couldn't do 200 miles a week due to work.
Ds1 has an unconditional offer for uni too.
Go back and talk to school. Start and work with it, it can only get better.

They're not in special measures - inadequate at the moment. And yes I'd love to put myself out but a two hour round trip every day for the next six years just isn't doable unfortunately if I want to keep paying my mortgage.

Thanks User

No problem,
I think being on MN, makes everyone think everyone else uses either Private or Outstanding state schools. I rarely post, as I have little to add, but we had this conversation with in laws and neighbours, interestingly all choose local school.
Long distances are hard, a happy engaged child, will hopefully do well, good luck and best wishes to you and your child.

I would also imagine it will improve quickly with new new head. Our local secondary went from special measures to Good in a very short space of time under a new head and is now a brilliant school that is hugely over subscribed.

Just make sure you are watching for issues and n them immediately, if bulling has been a major issue I would expect them to be all over this and have zero tolerance.

Try not to over think, the school could have been amazing now and gone downhill over the next couple of years, there are no guarantees. Having an older one you obviously know this, but never underestimate how much of a child's future is shaped at home.

Our state primary went from Good to special measures. It was a very worrying time as about 75% of the teachers left before the Head eventually went. Luckily the school has now turned around and it is back to an almost outstanding school (which is hard to get these days). It did take about 18 months and many Ofsted visits. I would say watch how the new Head does as I am sure it will get turned around. Good luck.

My son was at a primary that got requires improvement. There was teacher training and I did see improvements . The school had a lovely feel to it but there was money out there that improved things.

Thanks so much User - I appreciate that

Thank you for all your comments. I think I'll try and just go with the flow and keep my eye on things. He's definitely a happy child and easy to engage but he's decidedly average academically so I'll be on the look out to see he's not overlooked