Choosing a secondary school



JAZZMANB said:
Surely they are set from outside ?

I read it ,the failings seemed to be more on kids at the lower end of learning which is fair enough.My sons 4 years in and I've asked him on many occasions about bullying and the like and he says its not something he sees .The drugs is a tougher one to spot but not for kids ,again he's never mentioned anything .Neither are of interest to him but he would mention if it was there
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The latest report says that the progress made by the most able pupils right down is in the lowest 10% in the country. It's very clear that it's not just the lower end pupils.
Hank Scorpio said:
Although some will try and play it down, drugs are a major concern for all schools. Sadly coke is now a major issue with kids
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It's been pills that I've heard about recently. Nothing new though. They were knocking out acid in class when I was there.
 
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Harry Angstrom said:
The better schools expect more from their pupils. Thus the standard of work expected is higher. Or am I missing something?
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The first bit you've decided in your head and you agree with yourself so its a nice circle .I'll be a bit less judgemental and say the vast majority of schools and teachers expect more (or the best ) from their pupils and they are all targeted the same .Like I said ,the curriculum and key sets etc are set for all schools and they are all judged by them .Its like footy etc ,a few key players ,stability etc brings results and keeping it ticking over is easier than a one in a state of change .Expecting your team to win the league doesn't mean a jot even if your team know you expect it
Fulwell76 said:
The latest report says that the progress made by the most able pupils right down is in the lowest 10% in the country. It's very clear that it's not just the lower end pupils.

It's been pills that I've heard about recently. Nothing new though. They were knocking out acid in class when I was there.
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I Don't get that bit ?
 
JAZZMANB said:
The first bit you've decided in your head and you agree with yourself so its a nice circle .I'll be a bit less judgemental and say the vast majority of schools and teachers expect more (or the best ) from their pupils and they are all targeted the same .Like I said ,the curriculum and key sets etc are set for all schools and they are all judged by them .Its like footy etc ,a few key players ,stability etc brings results and keeping it ticking over is easier than a one in a state of change .Expecting your team to win the league doesn't mean a jot even if your team know you expect it

I Don't get that bit ?
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It says that the progress made by the most able pupils, pupils with low prior attainments and disadvantaged pupils is in the lowest 10% in the country.
 
Fulwell76 said:
The latest report says that the progress made by the most able pupils right down is in the lowest 10% in the country. It's very clear that it's not just the lower end pupils.

It's been pills that I've heard about recently. Nothing new though. They were knocking out acid in class when I was there.
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Is the latest report after the initial ofsted release ? as I mentioned my lad has noticed a decline since the all the upheaval the report created . I'm not a fan of damning reports that just leave teachers fleeing and parents panicking.If ofsted can spot what needs doing they should then be part of getting it back to where it needs to be
 
JAZZMANB said:
Is the latest report after the initial ofsted release ? as I mentioned my lad has noticed a decline since the all the upheaval the report created . I'm not a fan of damning reports that just leave teachers fleeing and parents panicking.If ofsted can spot what needs doing they should then be part of getting it back to where it needs to be
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It's the one dated February 2019.
 
JAZZMANB said:
The first bit you've decided in your head and you agree with yourself so its a nice circle .I'll be a bit less judgemental and say the vast majority of schools and teachers expect more (or the best ) from their pupils and they are all targeted the same .Like I said ,the curriculum and key sets etc are set for all schools and they are all judged by them .Its like footy etc ,a few key players ,stability etc brings results and keeping it ticking over is easier than a one in a state of change .Expecting your team to win the league doesn't mean a jot even if your team know you expect it

I Don't get that bit ?
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If what you said was true then the results for the top sets of each school would be very similar. They aren't.
 
Harry Angstrom said:
If what you said was true then the results for the top sets of each school would be very similar. They aren't.
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Hence the bad report ,they have the same standards and targets though ,that's how ofsted know they are failing .That's all I picked you up on .You said the good ones have higher standards/targets/expectations call it what you will
Keawyeds said:
Denying that you are when you clearly are is still bad. There's not a sliding scale of bad when it comes to racism.
If you're a racist, you're a twat.
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Indeed but I think we'd start getting somewhere if all the racists admitted they were or realised they were .[/QUOTE]
 
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JAZZMANB said:
Hence the bad report ,they have the same standards and targets though ,that's how ofsted know they are failing .That's all I picked you up on .You said the good ones have higher standards/targets/expectations call it what you will
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Okay instead of standards I'll use the term expectations. Is that better?
 
Dave Herbal said:
Do you believe you should choose the best possible school to give your child the best possible chance (even if it involves moving house or changing religion)? Do you go with the school that’s most convenient? Or do you ask the child and let them go where their friends are going?
Long story short: son is at a poor school (monkwearmouth) but it’s convenient (walking distance)
Daughter’s got to choose now, and all her friends parents have chosen a ‘better’ school (Whitburn) but it’s a bus ride away. Some have even chosen the catholic school (St Anthony’s)
I’d rather she went to the convenient one as it makes everyone’s life easier. I also believe cream rises to the top and bright kids (she is) will prosper at any school, so I’m not that concerned about her prospects. But if it was me I’d hate to be separated from my friends (although I know you make new friends right away at a new school).

Dilemma.....

How did you choose?
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Behaviour at Monkwearouth won't be great, this could have a big impact on your daughter's education. Convenience, shouldn't come into it -you'll soon find, her travelling to school further, isn't really an inconvenience -we moved a further 5 mile away from my youngest school and it wasn't really an issue. I'd send her to the better school. Speaking as a dad who sent both his daughters to St Anthony's, it's a fantastic school and they both thrived there. The youngest is there now doing her A-levels.
 
Harry Angstrom said:
Okay instead of standards I'll use the term expectations. Is that better?
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:lol: Just going round in circles .They all have the same targets set you said some aim higher .Its more rigid than that .You think good schools want great results(so it happens ) and poor schools aren't that bothered (so they fail) .I don't
 
This advice is all welcomed, but the deadline for applications was yesterday so it’s already gone in.
I’m pleasantly surprised by the differing opinions, but I’ve always thought that you should go to your nearest school and that should be that. I’ve always found the notion of moving house or becoming catholic to try and get into a better school faintly ridiculous, the same as I find private education. Just cut them loose in the world and let them find their level.
 
JAZZMANB said:
:lol: Just going round in circles .They all have the same targets set you said some aim higher .Its more rigid than that .You think good schools want great results(so it happens ) and poor schools aren't that bothered (so they fail) .I don't
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So why do poor schools fail? I'm interested to know.
 
Dave Herbal said:
This advice is all welcomed, but the deadline for applications was yesterday so it’s already gone in.
I’m pleasantly surprised by the differing opinions, but I’ve always thought that you should go to your nearest school and that should be that. I’ve always found the notion of moving house or becoming catholic to try and get into a better school faintly ridiculous, the same as I find private education. Just cut them loose in the world and let them find their level.
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The Ofsted report makes it clear that kids of all abilities (who I feel really sorry for) are being completely failed by the governors, leaders and teachers of Monkwearmouth. Surely kids need proper competent teaching to at least be able to find their level? It would seem they don't have that and therefore they are at a disadvantage from the off.
 

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