Secondary Schools

[belrig]

we have just moved from another Country to Guildford. My child has been placed in a school that has a " requires improvement" OFSTED rating. I am going to look at the school next week but my gut instinct is that it is not the right fit judging by the report which I have read. I realise I can say no to the placement but ALL The schools seem to be full unless I drive for 40 min . Does anyone have any opinions about Christ College. I dont want this to be a " bash" session I would just like honest and constructive feedback. Thanks

How old is the report?
After OFSTED inspections the school has to draw up a school improvement plan to deal with the main issues identified in the report.
If it's leadership that's a cause for concern, then it's very likely that the school will have a new Head by now.
"Requires Improvement" used to mean Satisfactory if that helps.

The report was nearly two years ago, and if you read the end of it, you can see that there had been some major changes in leadership before that. It sounds as if there had been some real hard work to improve, but that hadn't really taken effect by the time of the report; the report seemed to think the new head was good. So it could be the case that much has improved by now, especially as the Ofsted rating will have added some scrutiny. Their progress 8 measure (a kind of value-added measure) has been improving and is now positive (so their pupils are doing marginally better at GCSE than would be expected from their KS2 results).

Obviously it would help to have opinions from those with kids there, but don't write it off too quickly. DD's school is "requires improvement" but we've no worries.

If you want local opinions you'd probably do better to post in the MN Local group and/or put the name of the school in your title.

You've given it a general title, so most people clicking on your post won't have any knowledge of your school.

(Though I agree with PP "requires improvement" used to be "satisfactory" and the key thing to look at is whether it has improved or at least has steps in place. So definitely look round with an open mind. If you really feel it's unsuitable you can appeal for a school that you like the look of better - but you'll have to argue why the benefit of the school for your DC outweighs the disadvantage to the school in taking an extra pupil).

Does Reigate grammar asks everyone to come for the interview or the children who have passed well are invited? Anyone know?