Curmudgeon

EDmummy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Didn't watch it on the news but read the link > > More generally, if the Coalition does not offer > better regulation of education (esp academies) > then the future is indeed dark for our children. Totally agree with this point

OMG the programme did not say that. That's libellous! It reported statements from some staff and students on one side and also stated that in 15 months of investigation there had been no evidence of institutional malpractice uncovered

Re the channel 4 piece ... its on the website theres actually a bit of a school statement at the bottom, I do agree that the independence of academies is deeply concerning http://www.channel4.com/news/questions-over-london-school-cheating-inquiry

http://www.holidaydropoff.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=76

Holiday drop in at Dulwich college is very good They have a website ....hang on a tic

intexasatthe moment Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I thought the posts about statistics and looking > at them carefully were interesting and helpful . Thank you. I appreciate your saying so. > Though ,if I understood them correctly ,and I may > well not ,strike cold fear into my heart in that a > childs expected perforance seems so closely linked > to their performance when they were even younger Be careful not to confuse a national statistical government expectation with good practice in schools. Students will be baseline assessed and reassessed throughout KS3 as progression is not in a straight line. In the end it must always come down to the individual student and not the average attainment of the cohort. > What I do find bizarre is that there is a state > school with a very complex ,far from clear > admissions policy ,an exams admin system that has > had to be investigated ,teachers who have told > Ofsted of their concerns over the SMT ,an alleged > high number of teachers leaving and that > discussion of such matters brings down no > clarification but threats of legal action > regarding libel . Agreed but I for one am concerned that many repeat 'facts' because they've read them online when there may be little or no foundation to them in the first place, and yet they gather momentum; that the publicity over the exam whistle blowing is highly unusual, and in my personal opinion it is highly inappropriate for anyone to have put this in the public arena in the first place. I am convinced part of the issue is that Cameron praised Kingsdale in the press. Gives a great journalistic hook for any negative news. I bet they regret allowing the PM to visit! Unfortunately the negative discussions are detrimental to reputation. I personally feel the head teacher is wrong not to issue a public statement at this stage but I doubt that any such statement would halt the denigration of the schools reputation in public fora and would possibly escalate discussions so its a no win. Overall it leaves a bitter taste. This is a local school under a negative spotlight despite statistical and inspection evidence talking of happy students who benefit from a good education in a safe environment. I am pleased that the school will be having a full OFSTED sooner rather than later, triggered by the section 8. I hope the senior management and board of governors will be focusing on improving staff morale and management practice in the meantime.

Aha thanks prickle Still think the size of that circle is misleading but don't blame them for it

Am I going mad? Does that map not include the footpath by sainsburys? I thought that was the appeal that was upheld last year that moved the intake away from the east and towards the north?

prickle Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Just noticed that Charter has put its safe-walking > distance map on its website. That isn't Charter's catchment though. It's just a large circle round their location. Eta they do stress no catchment area on their website to be fair. I don't actually understand what help that map is

Townleygreen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Curmudgeon, what the f@ck are you boring on about > above? Rude! My post was meant to help those who are looking at the mind-boggling statistical data published around schools. If you can't follow it and want to understand more I'd be happy to help. I do appreciate that some people prefer to discuss unsubstantiated rumour and, whilst possibly more interesting, would suggest that such commentary does not provide the best information to evaluate education for your children.

What kind of support are you looking for? Ask for a copy of the behaviour policy , you should also have a home-school agreement so refer to that. Schools will also have anti bullying policies if you feel that is relevant. I would suggest speaking to tutor group / class leader, then if you are not happy asking for a meeting with year head. If you have concerns still ask for a meeting with the head. You may possibly want to meet with SENCO too. If you are still unhappy then write to governors. Hope that helps with your concerns.

Fuschia Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I meant 3 full levels from end of ks2 to end of > ks4 > Ie a level 4 at end if y6 should mean a minimum of > grade c at gcse > A level 5 should mean an a or a b > > http://www.education.gov.uk/performancetables/scho > ols_09/s > > As the % 5 a*-c is as much a measure of the > school's intake, as anything, looking at the % > making the required progress will tell you more Absolutely people should look at the published stats and not listen to too much conjecture. And personally I'd view the progress data too but bearing in mind it's cohort not individual based, and cohorts can change significantly year on year If it helps those in the process of looking at the moment I'd like to add IME it's not as simplistic as that chart would make one think. 5 sub-levels national expectation at KS3 (remember KS2 4b target is not an average but an expectation so you'd see circa 80% of students acheiving this - think Bell Curve ) so a 4b entry should become a 6c at end of Y9. That said I've seen a decent percentage of students move 4-6 sublevels in Y7 alone and it is the end of KS3 grade that we look at to give a projected attainment at GCSE. Level 7 at end of Y9 (KS3) equates to a C grade, an 8 to a B grade (eg their base level at starting KS4) Of course with the insecurity over what our current year 7s will be taking at KS4 level it's difficult to project anything. Good luck all

National expectation is 5 sub-levels of progress across ks3 ..years 7 to 9 although 6 or 8 should be achievable

For anyone looking for a secondary school and wanting actual published data please see http://www.education.gov.uk/. Please note that the DFE does not publish results until January of the following year. There are performance tables, school characteristics and information to help your decision. In my experience, and understanding, the definition of 'choice' when it comes to your child's education is not what we come to expect. We have a limited version of choice, we can decide the ones that won't go on our list and rank our preference but that isn't really choice is it? Do not leave gaps on your application form - fill all 6 places. Good luck and stay sane.

Haberdashers has a different catchment now. I didn't think those in ed stood much of a chance any more

redjam Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > No, I actually checked my old 'Welcome to > Reception' pack and it does say that they > 'encourage you' to use the Heber logo polo shirts. It depends when your children joined the school to be honest - when my eldest joined it was red and blue polo shirts then the previous head decided on white polo shirts and there was the option of buying the logoed version from the school office. So yes it is a change being 'encouraged' is different from compulsory and no state primary school can make uniform compulsory as far as I understand it.

redjam Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I honestly cannot see what the fuss is about. The > uniform is not changing, they are merely trying to > enforce the current uniform more strictly. I seem > to remember a similar letter going out at the > beginning of the year a couple of years ago. The > rules on uniform are clearly stated on a letter > you get when your child starts Reception and > they're also on the website. Nothing has changed, > guys! > > Re. the white polo shirts, I expect I'll keep my > girls in the non-logo ones after Christmas as they > are worn under dresses and cardis so no one will > see them. But fair enough, if they were wearing a > skirt so it was on show, I'd get a Heber one. I > don't think ?6.50 is an outrageous sum. > Actually it has changed as plain white polo shirts have always been allowed. I personally choose to think that a white polo shirt is a white shirt Plus the uniform list doesn't include cardigans so you wouldn't be allowed to do that ?6.50 is double the cost of good quality pure cotton plain polo shirts

My child will continue to wear plain white polo shirts :gavel:

The majority of children wear plain white polo shirts, available at many shops. This has always been my understanding of the policy and to amend it to white shirts is not appropriate IMO. My child will continue to wear her newly bought plain white shirts until she has grown out of them. Mr Block did not mean for any children to be instructed by teachers in what they should wear as it is clearly not their choice. All will be well.

TonyQuinn Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > As I have stated on more than one occasion on dog > pooh related threads. We, the majority, have to > pursue a policy of zero tolerance, extreme > prejudice on all dogs and their owners. I'm afraid > there's no other solution to this scar on society. This is something you've repeated? And you're proud of it? Wow! just wow

To be fair to edmummy rumours don't need evidence which is why they're called rumours and not facts

Parentpay is really easy online payments but they'll probably need to take in money or packed lunches until you get log ins They look gorgeous in their uniforms! Hope they're enjoying it

The majority of dog owners, like cyclists and those who like a drink, are socially responsible and do their best to clean up after their dogs There is a small subset of any group who are anti social twats and upset the community (e.t.a. I did not know the word tw@t was unacceptable to the refined eyes of the forum) I like dogs, and bikes and drink :)

The lion the witch and the wardrobe is ok, if you can ignore the abysmal folk music style score IMHO, and as its in the round there's no bad seating. You should be able to get relatively cheap tickets as it hasn't been an overwhelming success http://www.lovetheatre.com/tickets/2718/The-Lion-the-Witch-and-the-Wardrobe?gclid=CJqY0sKkirICFQMNfAod6FEA_w

Anything on kids week for the date you want to go http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/feature/kids_week/shows_list.html I took my children at the beginning of the summer and were all vaguely disappointed tbh ...perhaps we'd seen the DVD too often and it is just the DVD in stage form with some cool puppetry. Others rave about it. I though Matilda was far superior as a theatre outing tbh