Went to open night last night and was told

[SweetAudrina]

that in a class of 35 'boistrous' kids, not ONE of them had managed to gain higher than a G on a recent essay. The teacher was trying to highlight to me what they are up against and she said THIS is why my son isn't doing as well as he could, because the classes are just out of control. Its a terrible, terrible school but as he's in year 10 I can't move him.

And those kids that got the Gs and lower, not one of them were bothered apparantly. Most of them found it hilarious.

So are all secondary schools like this?

his current environment...

Well you certainly have to do something - you sound desperate enough - poor you - there but for the grace of God etc...

My advice is similar to london artemis and various others - GET HIM OUT OF THERE !

Easier said than done I know.

Try talking to local ed auth - can they offer anything else at all or alternatively some extra curricular tuition? Contact your MP and local councillors, NAG them !

Can you afford any private tuition to help him? Some uni students do extra tuition and aren't too dear cos not qualified teachers.

Dahling - you have to do something - this is his future you are dealing with - bless.

I don't HE at the moment but in this situation I would do it like a shot!

God! How awful. This shouldn't be allowed to continue. Right to the LEA, local paper, MP. Anyone!

I hope you find a solution for your poor DS, but I feel for all the DCs in your area. What f*ing hope have they got

I would HE if you possibly can. I know nothing about HE but a fair few MNers do - maybe get some advice from the HE board?

And I woudl also ring OFSTED. They may move their next inspection a lot closer if there are concerned parents calling them.

Secondary schools are not like that, in my previous school I had some very very difficult classes and was teaching them core RE, so they were not at their most motuvated, if my classes achieved at this level I would have been hauled in front of the head, quite rightly.

If it is a class of 35 there cannot be children in their who will be targetted to get a grade G, they will be mostly targetted A-C D at a push.

I have students in my lower ability sets who may only get a G , although I am sure they will actually dop better and they are in groups ot about 8, and only one in each group is expected yo get a G the rest will get between f and cs and I may get one or 2 b grades.

I would go into the school, name the teacher and the subject. Hell no I woiuld demand to be in the classroom.

Sweet audrina I have read more of your thread and have worked in a school like your sons which is now a national challenge school. Even in a school like the one you describe this should not be happening and these class sizes should not exist. You need to contact the head, your governers and take it higher if needed.