Proposed new alternative to DfE school league tables: your thoughts?

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello,

We've been approached about a new initiative which is being launched by the two head teachers’ unions (ASCL and NAHT), United Learning and PiXL to see whether we would like to work with them on the development of a set of alternative performance measures for schools, and as ever we'd like to know what you think.

They say: 'what we want to do is produce performance tables that reflect all the aspects of a school that parents are interested in, not just its exam results.'

For this autumn, their tables will be based on GCSE results data, uploaded by schools themselves to this site but earlier than the government-released figures. In years to come, the idea is to add extra measures, in an attempt to give parents information about things like curriculum breadth, extra-curricular activities, facilities, and children's personal development - all things that those involved believe are not adequately conveyed by DfE data as it stands.

As part of this process, the people behind the project would like to know what MNers think: about the idea of alternative performance tables generally, about what specific and additional measures (if any) you'd like to see included as the tables develop, and about whether you think it would be a good idea for Mumsnet to be one of the ways that the project interacts with parents and seeks their views over the next few years.

So, over to you! Any thoughts and input welcome.

Thanks
MNHQ

The official DfE league tables will still be available if you think they are useful SeagullsAndSand this is an alternative not a replacement

I'm aware of that.

then I'm not sure what your issue is

Re what exactly?

Why you aren't keen and why you believe there is no data available for all pupils including those who are "coasting"

Wow, surprised no one has said this.

Parent satisfaction. Overall and in specific areas. Far more valuable to me than almost anything else suggested.

I think I explained pretty comprehensively.

Additional "league tables" can be used to deflect from issues and are pointless.Most parents I know just want consistent excellent teaching and progress.A pretty veg patch their kid may use once,sporting competitions the maj are never eligible for or expensive music lessons most can't afford are neither here nor there.

And sorry it's extremely easy to cover up coasting kids(the existence of which most parents would like to be aware of and isn't covered in the official tables). If heads are producing the data for such additional tables themselves they're hardly going to proclaim to all and sundry if it is an issue.

Parental info would be a big one for us.

As an aside how do you get the data for satisfaction?Unless every single parent fills out a questionnaire it's pointless.Getting all parents to answer the Parentview questions during an Ofsted report is hard enough.

If I thought you had explained comprehensively I wouldn't have questioned your reply ... Yes it can be covered up in the "official" league tables because they only show the end of Y6 results but schools have to track pupils from term to term and that data will identify those children who are coasting and that could be shown in the proposed alternative tables.

And you think heads will willingly volunteer that info?

Many do already

And the ones that don't and don't want to?

As it's a alternative proposal it won't be compulsory membership but is that a good reason to dismiss those that choose to share information?

But if you can pick and choose what you put in,I do think the less knowledgable parents could end up being blinded to issues by additional data on an additional league table.

I'm also not sure what the point is when the info listed on the op is what you would expect to see in a prospectus or website.

I'm guessing the unions will be funding it,not the tax payer?

Also who will be checking the data submitted is true?

All they are attempting to do is provide a broader picture rather than one based only on Y6 assessment

QUALIFICATIONS!!! I would like to be able to see how many members of staff in schools have appropriate & recognized qualifications. I am fed up of seeing teachers & HLTA's teaching subjects they have no clue about. Also I would like to know what kind of training the school is providing for the staff in behaviour management, SEN, individual needs, etc.

Also hours per year group per week TAs teach.Fed up with the rather large amount of time my dc seem to get taught by TAs weekly.

So no one yet wants 'the things parents are interested in' like facilities and extra curricular clubs. Mostly just more in depth data from the existing exam results.

I'm not sure this was the response they were looking for. Big gap between what the unions think parents are looking for and what they actually want, or just a MN anomaly?

the police thing is ridiculous - what if school call in the PCSO for an allegation of abuse? Or to have a word with kids being a bit silly outside school - to warn them off.

So is qualifications - some of the most gifted and successful teachers I have worked with have not got a degree in their subject, instead are passionate and intelligent people who LIVE AND BREATHE their subject.

how can you measure staff attendance in such a raw state - I have a colleague who is terminally ill yet dragging himself to school to do reduced hours to help us out.

How would that make him feel if he was on some hit list? teachers are PEOPLE too!!

I am also Hugely about anything PIXL suggest.

how can you measure staff attendance in such a raw state

Why not? No-one is asking for 100% attendance, they just want to know if a school is markedly different to the norm for sick leave, staff turnover etc. One lone teacher's record isn't going to make or break a school's reputation.