Sadly Pathetic Fête Day

Hardly any pupils there which is a great shame because part of the aim of the fête is to give them an enjoyable experience.

Hardly any parents, because they don't feel 'included'. OK it doesn't usually make more than a few hundred pounds, but this one was truly abysmal.

Was the raffle, which does make around £1,000, actually drawn unlike last year. Is the list of prize winners going to be given to parents, as is good practice.

RISING STAR in the East?

The Star told parents about the forum before it happened with the school's co-operation saying it hoped to "shed light on a proposed shake-up"

(Guess what! it did not get discussed)

"To become a New Model Special School, schools must approach teaching in a different way to better equip them for the wider world. This would involve changes to the curriculum to focus on aspects such as behaviour management and life skills instead of just education"

Well it would be interesting if they expanded on an explanation of that one . BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT!!! What percentage of pupils does that truly apply to?

TEMPERS FLARE DURING SCHOOL PEACE FORUM

Well my view is that there was no attempt at peace, only moaning about the parents website, which I have now made extra clear is unofficial, and attempts to blame all the school's ills, whatever they are on the website. They are blaming us for all the school's inadequacies, whereas in fact they should be thanking us for pointing out major problems, which have resulted in a radical year long overhaul of the school's running. Not that the school would own up to all the mismanagement that has been uncovered.

So to try and blame this website, shows that the Governors have yet to recognise their part in what has gone on.

I don't think tempers flared, other than BS's. He denied "absurd" allegations about financial mismanagement, but of course gave no details

Debbie Holmes "launched a strong attack on sniping parents" but at the same time admitted "an incredibly difficult time " (what are they admitting there)

"during which it has had a series of acting heads and HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN CONTROVERSY"

Sounds like a sly admission of something bad in the school. Why have they not agreed to to some of the parents requests to neutralise website complaints?

"It's a wonder some of those heads stayed as long as they did after what they were put through"

Well (1) Tim was forced out by Govs (2) Steve Armstrong and Mrs Saddler were good.(3) Pocock OK

I'm not convinced that this website had any effect on them.

"The school is now in a really good position to move forward. Please let's stop the aggression and conflict and make a new start"

IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO and I haven't noticed any willingness shown to help the parents

Which leads me to a very sad letter in the STAR July 6th pleading with the school to set up a regular monthly meeting where parents can get together and socialise outside the working day. Now through this website I have offered genuinely to stop the website, providing the parents are given other ways to communicate.

This closed door policy has to stop. It is not acceptable in this day and age. You are missing such a wealth of parents' talents to contribute towards the school. Parents expect to be included in return for transparency - not the Jo Hodges letter  "stay away from the school without an appointment!"  How bizarre and threatening was that.

We hope Sue Davies will rescind this directive and be more welcoming. This is vital to making a new start.

THE CHILDREN'S LEGAL SERVICES

We talked about them in the past and there have been a number of question marks raised about their allegiances and effectiveness. Recently a family employed them, and got nowhere in several years, but of course the CLS got paid under legal aid so they weren't motivated to get a result. In fact they seem to see themselves  as mediating between The LEA and family. WRONG;  It took one well informed parent only a few months to get the family exactly what they required, much to the upset of the useless solicitor. If you need help then contact this website for free advice, lists of EFFECTIVE educational solicitors, or contact IPSEA. 01394 384711 or 0800 0184016

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER AND LET'S HOPE FOR A FRESH START IN SEPTEMBER

When the school's official website goes on line we will put a link to it on here. We wish it well.