| CYBER TOWN |  | | | PIRATE'S PAST | | | | THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT | | | | AT THE CINEMA | | |
|
|
|
Names of struggling schools to be kept sceret
COUNCILLORS have voted to try and keep the names of schools needing special help a secret from Bournemouth parents.
They were unhappy 11 schools appeared in the Daily Echo after being named in a publicly available council report to the children and families scrutiny panel.
The panel unanimously voted on Tuesday to have all future reports naming schools presented in secret without the public or press present.
Emma Rawson, head teacher of Stourfield Junior School, and chairman of Bournemouth Primary Schools Association, told the panel: "The article caused quite a bit of consternation among my colleagues. It had a negative impact on these schools and the staff working in them. It caused a lot of work to repair parents' confidence."
Jane Portman, director of children's services, said four secondary school head teachers emailed the council to agree the reports should be discussed in secret.
But after the meeting Margaret Morrissey, spokesman for the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations, said it was the wrong decision.
"My experience has been that when few people know, it leaves it open for more things to go wrong because people are not being held accountable," she said. "We don't want teachers beaten under but it's important for the children action is taken if someone is not doing a good enough job."
The panel had asked for the report naming the 11 schools because they had not realised the dire straits Townsend Primary School was in until it was threatened with closure.
They were unsure whether names of the schools could be obtained using the Freedom of Information Act.
Two schools were named in January as needing Ofsted help - Townsend Primary School which was in special measures, and Queen's Park Junior School, which has been given notice to improve.
The schools named as needing council help to make sure they don't start seriously failing their pupils were Winton Primary, the federation of Bethany Junior and St Clement's and St John's Infant, Heathlands Primary and Kingsleigh Primary.
Kings High, the Bishop of Winchester Comprehensive School and Portchester were receiving special help towards their exams. Oakmead College of Technology was being given support for year nine English.
7:00pm Friday 9th May 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: Erica Monk, Australia on 5:06am Sat 10 May 08
Why is it kept a secret I don't understand. Surely it should be an open issue. Just because they are struggling does this mean that kids are miss behaving well who's fault is that, that they are allowed to act in this way & disrupt a class of willing to learn students. Closing the school as they did a few weeks ago is not the answer. If I have got this wrong please correct me. Bring back the cane if discipline is the problem bring back detention anything to let these kids know they do not rule the school. They are there to learn.
Why is it kept a secret I don't understand. Surely it should be an open issue. Just because they are struggling does this mean that kids are miss behaving well who's fault is that, that they are allowed to act in this way & disrupt a class of willing to learn students. Closing the school as they did a few weeks ago is not the answer. If I have got this wrong please correct me. Bring back the cane if discipline is the problem bring back detention anything to let these kids know they do not rule the school. They are there to learn.
Posted by: fedupwithjobsworths, Moordown on 7:43am Sat 10 May 08
If a school is failing or needs help it should be public knowledge, and the LEA should be given a kick up the backside to sort the school out. In today’s Jobsworth society however, the number one priority would appear to protect those responsible and sweep the problem under the carpet.
Did anyone see last Thursday’s Echo – two educational jobs advertised (Project Manager & Education Adviser) total salary for these two positions £100K+, can’t help wondering if these are just more examples of “hands-off” Council non-jobs – £100K PA would pay for a lot of useful teaching Assistants. It would appear our “cash strapped” Council has money to burn.
If a school is failing or needs help it should be public knowledge, and the LEA should be given a kick up the backside to sort the school out. In today’s Jobsworth society however, the number one priority would appear to protect those responsible and sweep the problem under the carpet.
Did anyone see last Thursday’s Echo – two educational jobs advertised (Project Manager & Education Adviser) total salary for these two positions £100K+, can’t help wondering if these are just more examples of “hands-off” Council non-jobs – £100K PA would pay for a lot of useful teaching Assistants. It would appear our “cash strapped” Council has money to burn.
Posted by: laurie marsh, australia on 10:59am Sat 10 May 08
SCHOOL = EDUCATION
EDUCATION = GIVING OF INFORMATION.
SECRET = HIDING OF INFORMATION!
WHY CANT THESE PEOPLE PRACTICE WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO TEACH?
IF I DONT DO MY JOB WELL I GET (AT LEAST) A TAP ON THE SHOULDER.
WHAT MAKES THESE PART-TIMERS SO SPECIAL?
SCHOOL = EDUCATION
EDUCATION = GIVING OF INFORMATION.
SECRET = HIDING OF INFORMATION!
WHY CANT THESE PEOPLE PRACTICE WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO TEACH?
IF I DONT DO MY JOB WELL I GET (AT LEAST) A TAP ON THE SHOULDER.
WHAT MAKES THESE PART-TIMERS SO SPECIAL?
Posted by: Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West on 11:12am Sat 10 May 08
Firstly why are struggling schools going to be kept secret. Is this to stop another Townsend coming to the fore. Are the Council and the LEA now realising the blunder they have made with one school because they brought it to the fore, and do not need the euphoria to go with it again.
Incidentally, on the subject of keeping stump on schools, it appears that the Townsend matter has gone quiet as we sneakingly approach the 2nd and 3rd June.
Firstly why are struggling schools going to be kept secret. Is this to stop another Townsend coming to the fore. Are the Council and the LEA now realising the blunder they have made with one school because they brought it to the fore, and do not need the euphoria to go with it again.
Incidentally, on the subject of keeping stump on schools, it appears that the Townsend matter has gone quiet as we sneakingly approach the 2nd and 3rd June.
Posted by: Samuel Cooke, Southbourne on 11:15am Sat 10 May 08
All this shows is that the educational services is covering its own back rather than looking out for their most important aspect, the children.
It's obviously understandable that if you are sending your child to school you want the best for them, and you won't want them to be sent to a failing school. If word got out that the school is going down the drain there would could be massive repercussions, such as job cuts, and loss of finances. This is that the boards are trying to prevent, which on the side of the teachers could be deemed somewhat moral.
But what isn't moral is the disregard for the children's education. If the metaphorical ship is sinking you evacuate, you don't keep the crew on to go down with it.
They are letting the children down with a below-par education and they are the only ones suffering.
All this shows is that the educational services is covering its own back rather than looking out for their most important aspect, the children.
It's obviously understandable that if you are sending your child to school you want the best for them, and you won't want them to be sent to a failing school. If word got out that the school is going down the drain there would could be massive repercussions, such as job cuts, and loss of finances. This is that the boards are trying to prevent, which on the side of the teachers could be deemed somewhat moral.
But what isn't moral is the disregard for the children's education. If the metaphorical ship is sinking you evacuate, you don't keep the crew on to go down with it.
They are letting the children down with a below-par education and they are the only ones suffering.
Posted by: PokesdownMark, Pokesdown on 11:27am Sat 10 May 08
These councillors are living in the past. You simply can't keep this kind of information secret these days. Its as simple as that!
Anyway, these are [bold]OUR[/bold] schools. Their working for [bold]US[/bold] . [bold]WE[/bold] have the right to know if there are problems. But equally the ECHO has to make sure that it reports results in full context to avoid unnecessary alarm.
These councillors are living in the past. You simply can't keep this kind of information secret these days. Its as simple as that!
Anyway, these are
OUR schools. Their working for
US .
WE have the right to know if there are problems. But equally the ECHO has to make sure that it reports results in full context to avoid unnecessary alarm.
Posted by: Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West on 12:34pm Sun 11 May 08
Incidentally, did anyone notice that one of the schools that is offered as an alternative to the Townsend School and Pupils is also under an Ofsted reveiw, Namely Queens Park.
What is the point of moving from one to another.
Incidentally, did anyone notice that one of the schools that is offered as an alternative to the Townsend School and Pupils is also under an Ofsted reveiw, Namely Queens Park.
What is the point of moving from one to another.
Posted by: snorth8554, bournemouth on 4:44pm Sun 11 May 08
I suggest that someone should take a long look at the freedom of information act. The Echo lets people know the facts sometimes they have a bit of a bias to it but never mind, we as parents and citizens have a right to know what is happening in schools, we have to make informed choices as to where we send our children. Professionals are leaving this town in droves because it is run by idiots perhaps that is why there are highly paid jobs available!!!
I suggest that someone should take a long look at the freedom of information act. The Echo lets people know the facts sometimes they have a bit of a bias to it but never mind, we as parents and citizens have a right to know what is happening in schools, we have to make informed choices as to where we send our children. Professionals are leaving this town in droves because it is run by idiots perhaps that is why there are highly paid jobs available!!!
Posted by: Gastines, St.Malo ex Bournemouth on 6:30pm Sun 11 May 08
Regarding the keeping secret of how good or bad schools are in the area, those of us lucky enough to have access to computers can access the Ofsted reports and see just how the schools are doing. Despite this, as it is our children's futures we are talking about the information should be freely and regularly available, to enable appropriate action to be taken. As mentioned previously, using Queen's Park school as an alternative to Townsend school is quite unacceptable. When it was placed under 'Notice to Improve,' an almost magical and unbelievable turn around happened with the result that it was taken out of the notice at the very next and timely Ofsted report. All this did was prove that these improvements can be carried out quickly and very conveniently for the local council wishing to close Townsend school. But, more to the point, if this school can be improved in this short time, some 3 or 4 months I understand, then why were the measures used, not implemented for poor Townend school, with its pupils getting a second rate education.
Regarding the keeping secret of how good or bad schools are in the area, those of us lucky enough to have access to computers can access the Ofsted reports and see just how the schools are doing. Despite this, as it is our children's futures we are talking about the information should be freely and regularly available, to enable appropriate action to be taken. As mentioned previously, using Queen's Park school as an alternative to Townsend school is quite unacceptable. When it was placed under 'Notice to Improve,' an almost magical and unbelievable turn around happened with the result that it was taken out of the notice at the very next and timely Ofsted report. All this did was prove that these improvements can be carried out quickly and very conveniently for the local council wishing to close Townsend school. But, more to the point, if this school can be improved in this short time, some 3 or 4 months I understand, then why were the measures used, not implemented for poor Townend school, with its pupils getting a second rate education.
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
