Friday 10 July 2015

A school in trouble



Oh the dilemma. What do I do? Last night the 11 year old worked herself up into dramatic tears worrying about the bus journey to the school she is due to attend in September. She successfully negotiated 3 days of bus catching during Transition week so I know she can do it. She does not like the other children on the bus so of course now hates the school. Some of this is probably partly the emotions most Year 6 children feel at the end of their time at Primary School.

She cannot go to a school in our local nearest town with all her classmates because our home falls into another local authority area and she must travel 8 miles in the other direction. I went through the school appeal system but there were too many others doing the same and we did not stand a chance. This is not necessarily a real problem with friendship groups as she has not bonded with anyone in particular at her current school although she did in her previous one.

The problem now is the new school has been put into special measures this week. It's last Ofsted was good but now it is in real trouble in all four areas of inspection. There is an emergency meeting for all new parents next week at the school presumably to reassure us all that action will be taken to resolve the identified weaknesses. The Chair of Governors has been replaced already. In December the school is moving into a beautiful £18,000,000 new building.

 Today I checked our position on the waiting lists for the schools we appealed for; still 13th place for the top 2 so no chance. I rang a private all girls school in desperation. Did they have an available bursary? Unlikely but they are going to check for me and have invited us to go and sit the entrance exam next week and to go and meet them. I got home to find the admission people have offered us a place at the 3rd school we looked at but turned down previously as it will be a nightmare to get to because of the daily traffic jams. The nearest town is small and this school is the other side of it from us. However it is a good school, overcrowded but most of her classmates will attend there. She didn't want to go there and tonight when I told her said she would think about it.

What do I do? I spoke to the deputy Head teacher at her current school and she said special measures can be a positive thing as external help and funding are poured in and things are closely monitored. She also said my daughter will do well where ever she goes which was nice to hear. Oh dear oh dear...

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