School - BBC 2 - 9 pm

[HollowTalk]

Anyone watching?

If they think it's different in other schools then they're crazy.

. If a child is having three panic attacks a week, that child needs to see a GP with possible referral to Camhs (which also needs a massive cash injection), not to be "supported" in the school environment.

IME children don't get CAHMS appointments for having panic attacks. They need to be suicidal before. CAHMS will offer assistance

If a child is having three panic attacks a week, that child needs to see a GP with possible referral to Camhs

Yes, that child does need to be seen by CAHMS but as we have been told by CAHMS at our last INSET training that they are struggling with referrals and we need to do more (and gave us such basic training to do so, it was laughable) then you can see why schools are having to do the supporting, as well as educating.

I work with adults and teens with mental health issues and can concur that CAMHs is in as appalling a state as education.

I truly hope that this documentary (and this thread too) shines a light on what is happening in schools (and mental health and all the other touch points that affect a child's life and education...) and makes people aware of the acute and tragic issues caused by this government's horrific austerity policies and ideological cuts. They are our future and we will pay for their abandonment/betrayal one way or the other (as a society, crime/prison population increases, future unemployment, increases in bad health outcomes... The list is long).

I think our children are been failed massively on every level.

The one thing that was said that stuck with me is “ what about every child matters”

It feels anyone out the box are ignored.

If a child is having three panic attacks a week, that child needs to see a GP with possible referral to CAMHS

They do. Then CAMHS writes to them to explain that they should approach the school for counselling, or try online support via Kooth. Chloe would be below the threshold for CAMHS assessment in our county.

I think our children are been failed massively on every level

Yes, it’s absolutely heartbreaking, if you look at what’s happening to SEND funding, it’s just as bad, if not worse.

For reference, here is the latest Ofsted (not that Ofsted the be all and end all at all) for Castle. I wasn't sure if it was rated Good or Outstanding, (it's Good) and wanted to check. Clearly not a report for a failing school (although not sure how many HT since then though - Castle 999 do you know?).
files.api.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/2546609

In many areas CAMHS won't take referrals unless the child is actively suicidal, and even then there's a waiting list. The situation is nothing short of horrific.

Thankfully the Acting Head shown in the programme has gone now. The old head has come back- he had been transferred to one of the struggling comprehensives in CSET to help sort it out.

That is one of Castle's problems. I wouldn't be surprised to see him being transferred on to Marlwood at some stage. Continuity is a problem but the main problem is funding.

If anyone can find the link the Sports teacher was on Radio 5 Live Breakfast this morning discussing Castle School and funding problems in schools. It was really interesting. It was on about 7.45am.

Michael Gove removed the every child matters agenda a few years ago 😡

It is a very good school and I don't think that comes across well in the TV show.

I am worried that it will go quickly downhill like the sister school Marlwood. That dive bombed in about five years.

I'm in no way saying it is the teachers' fault that they have had these non-teaching roles thrust upon them. Quite the opposite.

I really don't know just how government and the populace expect teachers to do their job in such conditions. No other profession would accept such role bleed, just as no other profession would be expected to deal with the level of abuse in the workplace that many teachers experience.

To me, it's indicative of a number of dynamics in society and goverment, most notably that the entire state education system rests on the goodwill of front line staff to a point where it pretty much takes the piss. It's the same in the NHS.

Ah the acting head has gone. She seemed inadequate for the role. She was like a limp lettuce leaf. However she did make the point about people turning on each other within the school. That would be dreadful for morale.

The scene with Mr Street and his tutor group's last day made me cry. He seems a great teacher. Teenagers can be right PITA but it must be satisfying to see them transform from tiny year 7s to young adults.

Yes - think the old acting head has gone into a Academy Trust directorship role. Or 'money launderer' as ds puts it!

The teachers are amazing. I think you can see that in the TV coverage. They are truly pissed off with the system and the SLT.

The class sizes shown are not representative. They were showing the bottom set of Maths. Top sets have over 30 kids in them.

Castle I first read that as dictatorship not directorship! I wonder how much she'll be getting for that? I didn't feel she was on the side of her staff.

Ha! Dictatorship is a darned sight closer to the reality.

I've had multiple children go through Castle School and it was much better when it was with the Local Authority. Parents voted against the Academy but were ignored. Although I admit there was more money in the system in the old days. Even so, the money wasted on multiple managers in an Academy chain is nuts.

I guess the old Acting head would not have wanted to make waves if she had a management job to go to afterwards.

Next programme is on Marlwood. Marlwood is only a couple miles or so in distance from Castle which is oddly close for two big secondary schools. Historically Marlwood was the Grammar School and Castle was the secondary modern!

ds has new friends in his year group this year as parents are withdrawing children and sending them to Castle instead. This is the downside of parental choice as you may end up with one good school and one sink school.

Also kids used to be bussed in from Bristol but the situation is improving a bit in the North Bristol schools.

I got the feeling when watching that meeting that the head knew what side her bread was buttered on. My ds's secondary is an academy and my dd's primary school has just become part of a multi academy trust. Parents weren't asked if that's what they wanted. We were just told.

Our consultation was not what you would call a proper consultation. Seems to be happening everywhere.

What happens when the Academy fails?

We were just told. I just can't comprehend how that's ok.