December 2008

Well Greetings poor beleaguered Parents, and apologies for missing last month - personal

So there are lots of things to talk about.

First lets be positive and thank Mick Granger and Kathy Fuller for their help in raising funds for the school from Asda,
BAA and Pitney Bowes. It is a pity that so many of the parents feel ostracised and so unable to help in the fund raising.
So this is the photo from the Herald with several very capable looking pupils. Pitney Bowes donated several computers
so lets hope the school start to put them in the classrooms like Ofsted advised.

SIGNIFICANT TURBULENCE
OFSTED October 2008.
So 94 on roll, 18 in 6th form. Does the total include that 18? Not clear. It will be of some considerable concern if this school of 140 capacity has only 94 pupils
In 2007 there were 109 pupils and 44% of secondary age were MLD. We thought most MLDs were supposed to be included in mainstream schools. What on earth happened to that policy?

So Miss Sue Davies has given her interpretation of OFSTED which to be be fair, as of course we are, talked up what she could. Our interpretation is of course slightly different and we would say more realistic.
Firstly lets recap from 3 years ago, grade 2 is Good and Grade 3 is Satisfactory. Chris Woodhead ex boss of OFSTED, says the new Grade 3 Satisfactory means UNSATISFACTORY.

Of 33 sub categories 11 were Grade 2, 21 were Grade 3 , with 1 grade 4 (which may be because it's special needs or not)
So this is definitely a Grade 3 report, and most significantly it is no better statistically than 3 years ago! (33% good) In fact 3 years ago was statistically better with 11 goods to 14 satisfactories (44% good)
So overall it seems that the school has got worse

The overall effectiveness of the school is only a Grade 3
The teaching and learning is only Grade 3
The curriculum and other activities is only Grade 3
The care guidance and support is only grade 3
The LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT are only grade 3
The achievements and standards are only Grade 3
The effectiveness of Early years is only grade 3
However The effectiveness of 6th form and Personal Development and well-being are grade 2

Small crumbs of latched onto comfort we think.

So what are the reasons for this perceived decline?
Significant Turbulence, which means when they got rid of Tim (When Tim and the school parted company) the large number of Associated Heads bought in to sort out the school appear to have not made one iota of difference, or possibly hindered the school's development, according to above stats.
Also Miss Davies has only been there a year, so obviously hasn't had a chance to make any improvements.
How long does she need? Roy Keane has left Sunderland; Paul Ince is on his way out of Blackburn Rovers after a very short time.

Essex Panel OVERTURN attempts of the School and Govs to expel a child.

We don't want to comment on or prejudice the current Disability Discrimination Claim but what we can tell you is some of the findings of the Essex Panel, which we consider of significance in the overturning.

The Head Teacher's decision to exclude was unlawful, not justified and disproportionate.
The Head Teacher did not interview the child about the incident
The Head Teacher got no formal statements from the witnesses or teacher
The Governors did not convince the panel that they had full regard of the relevant Guidance or Code Practice.
The circumstances that lead to the incident were not appropriately handled
The school did not undertake satisfactory Risk Assessments
The school does not have a clear understanding of the child's condition
The school failed to adequately account for the child's disability at the time.
The pupil has been treated less favourably
The panel noted the general lack of training or understanding of the child's disability
The school's strategies were not satisfactorily followed.

And that's only a small proportion as we are not going to share the details.

So one family will be having a very good Christmas and we wish you all Happy Christmas and a Happy New year 2009
Normal website service should resume in January.