Sensitive issue re DC's disrupted track through school
Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2014 4:26 pm
Hello, I hope you can help. I have been on the forum for a long time but have had to re-register as my past ID would not resurrect!
DC did not qualify for grammar schools through the 11+, but the score was close enough that we think a selection review or appeal could be feasible.
DC’s progress in their highly-regarded school has been perfectly acceptable but, we believe, has been affected by significant disruption in the class in the last 2 years due to, in turn, disconnected (due to personal issues) and inexperienced (NQT) staff, plus some behavioural issues in class (not DC ). Parents repeatedly expressed their concern to the school but little action was taken; the school has been defensive on the issues and has very much adopted the attitude of “leave the teaching to the teachers” (an attitude I would endorse normally!).
My anecdotal understanding is that there is a distinct contrast in general achievement (don’t know about in 11+ results and school will not disclose) between DC’s class and the other equivalent class in the year group whose progress through the school has been much more stable. I feel that this bumpy ride through school has had an impact on DC’s achievement which simply isn’t captured anywhere, and won’t be by any school reports.
Although DC is predicted comfortable Level 5s in Y6 and has made 2-sublevel progress each year, I do feel that the results shown are not representative of DC’s ability. In years where the teaching has been of a good standard, DC’s progress has been better (this year so far already a marked improvement under a very good teacher).
Anything I can say on this would be hearsay as it is undocumented by the school and not likely to be. I broached the topic gently in conversation with HT and was shut down promptly as the school does not agree this has been an issue.
So how do – or should – I capture this in a selection review letter?
I’d be very grateful for thoughts on how/whether to approach this very sensitive and contentious issue. I do not want to come across as blaming the school and DC's progress is maybe "good enough", but it could be better and of course the bare-bones info on the HT report does not reflect this.
Thank you.
DC did not qualify for grammar schools through the 11+, but the score was close enough that we think a selection review or appeal could be feasible.
DC’s progress in their highly-regarded school has been perfectly acceptable but, we believe, has been affected by significant disruption in the class in the last 2 years due to, in turn, disconnected (due to personal issues) and inexperienced (NQT) staff, plus some behavioural issues in class (not DC ). Parents repeatedly expressed their concern to the school but little action was taken; the school has been defensive on the issues and has very much adopted the attitude of “leave the teaching to the teachers” (an attitude I would endorse normally!).
My anecdotal understanding is that there is a distinct contrast in general achievement (don’t know about in 11+ results and school will not disclose) between DC’s class and the other equivalent class in the year group whose progress through the school has been much more stable. I feel that this bumpy ride through school has had an impact on DC’s achievement which simply isn’t captured anywhere, and won’t be by any school reports.
Although DC is predicted comfortable Level 5s in Y6 and has made 2-sublevel progress each year, I do feel that the results shown are not representative of DC’s ability. In years where the teaching has been of a good standard, DC’s progress has been better (this year so far already a marked improvement under a very good teacher).
Anything I can say on this would be hearsay as it is undocumented by the school and not likely to be. I broached the topic gently in conversation with HT and was shut down promptly as the school does not agree this has been an issue.
So how do – or should – I capture this in a selection review letter?
I’d be very grateful for thoughts on how/whether to approach this very sensitive and contentious issue. I do not want to come across as blaming the school and DC's progress is maybe "good enough", but it could be better and of course the bare-bones info on the HT report does not reflect this.
Thank you.