Metallic

ditto

There are a lot of defensive comments on here and that suggests a great deal to me!

Debster99, "I'm all right Jack" comes to mind. And may I point out before doing as I'm told, that this is the only subject you have posted about on the EDF, maybe you are a staff member with an agenda to pursue. But quite right, I will wait and see.

Excuse me for trying to clarify something that actually wasn't clear, about a place that is not just in the ownership, so to speak, of current parents. I would also not describe a clarification statement as a PR message!

So then there are no ongoing issues at all? The exam boards completely cleared the school of all these queries?

Oh, so where was this announced, since the Exam boards said they were going to look in to it all? If the school have the all clear I would like to know.

These alleged incidents took place when the school was under Southwark's control.

They should have acknowledged it openly ages ago westof, when it all came to light.

I cannot believe that IF there is a scandal over cheating that reports can be kept private. It is not just a question of naming names, although it may come to it, (these could be redacted anyway) but if this has gone on then the integrity of the school and the greater group of teachers has to be restored. Similarly, if the school and teachers are exonerated, there will have to be an inquiry in order to clarify the reason such claims were made. It will all have to come out in the open whether the school want that or not.

They are separate entities and would not tread on each other's feet, I am sure. Maybe there will be another inspection when the results of the exam board enquiries are published. By the way you don't need a public meeting to talk to teachers, this matter is really ongoing, and when it is all over I would expect Southwark as a previous education authority, and whatever the new system running academies is called, to provide answers to all the concerns of ALL parties.

I do have a view on this westof. I think when rumours swirl in public, as they have in this case from both sides, the best action is to be open and upfront about whatever are the issues. The mere fact that so much is unsubstantiated is a problem but it remains true, as far as I can see, that claims of public exams cheating have yet to be reported on by the exam boards, after 8 months, and that as the school has made no public statement whatsoever to confirm or deny this has been looked in to by them at least, they have created their own problem. A public statement by the Head and the Governors acknowledging this problem would have nipped the rumours in the bud. The staff, pupils, parents and the public for yes, this is a public concern, would then know a proper investigation by independent investigators, would be taking place. The group of teachers who are seemingly hoping to bring this and other matters in to the public domain have at least made their side of the issue clear because otherwise I doubt this inspection would have taken place. So in other words I would suggest that secrecy on one side and therefore what could be seen as unsubstantiated claims by the other side, have created this. Speaking as a parent I actually think parents and prospective parents deserve more from what is supposed to be an outstanding school full of children just wanting to make the most of their education, and staff who want to teach. It is a gross distraction and I think the Head is to blame for that.

Thanks for telling me villagepeople. I want to know everything about a school I may apply to and parents are the best source of information apart from inspections. Hence my interest in this one and its comparison with the last one. Fuschia, you make me laugh. I just discovered EDF and this is the issue I have so much concern about. Thanks for checking up on me though. By the way, I am a social worker.

I think you missed out the word 'significant' from that quote you made, villagepeople. ('small minority of staff'). You might want to wonder about the staff who left in the last year! So what do you think about being told to keep the parents forum confidential? Why on earth would a headteacher say that and think that people might wonder what is so secret? Surely a wonderful happy school needs to spread the message far and wide and that little 'confidential' thing would make me very curious. In all the open parents' meetings I have ever been to, including being a secretary of the parents/teachers group in one school for over two years, I have never heard the head tell us parents to keep quiet.

I took it as a general observation because it is not unheard of is it?

On sick leave due to stress. What an indictment of teaching. Whether you are on a pay freeze or not, the fact that there are obvious problems within this staff room is worrying because the young inexperienced but wholeheartedly enthusiastic teachers are the ones most likely to succumb to stress.

Adequately? I think a better phrase could be used: "....hopeful that the issues raised by the other staff are taken on board and a successful discussion ensues in which all the contentious issues are addressed by all parties leading to the satisfaction of all Kingsdale staff." You can see my background I expect - I have never been a teacher but I do have a mediation background.

SIGNIFICANT minority

Curmudgeon Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > IME teachers complain - a helluva lot > > But I suppose this is one of those situations > where we all read the available report and > consider the glass half full or the glass half > empty. Although perhaps there's no such thing as a > half-empty glass - perhaps the other half is (hot) > air :)) Not a smiling matter at all, in fact considering I was admonished earlier on for using strong language I consider that the end of this report shows some serious issues are going to be monitored by another visit and I do not think that is funny at all.

The posts were deleted? Good grief.

I expect the Exam Boards reports will be out next. "A relatively small but significant minority of staff have very different views. They expressed concerns about aspects of the school?s leadership and management; in many cases, these criticisms and concerns are serious and substantial. Some staff said that they found the prevailing style of leadership to be rigid, autocratic and overbearing, and that this adversely affected their morale and effectiveness. Many of these staff raised concerns about communication; many feel that they have few genuine opportunities to influence the direction of school developments. Some are concerned that the amount of bureaucracy and administration places unacceptable demands upon them. A number also feel that they are not adequately supported or helped to develop and improve as teachers. The views and anxieties expressed by this group of staff have raised serious concerns and the timing of the school?s next inspection will be affected." So these concerns have been addressed by the Inspectors, and not dismissed. That is a worry because actually this is news isn't it? We on here obviously thought it was the exams business that was in the papers.

So there is going to be another inspection within the usual period, because of stuff he found out. Very helpful.

That is the problem when people are worrying about what is going on. Could be something, could be nothing. If it is nothing there is nothing to worry about. If there's something, then hearing your kid has a place at the same time as something negative, is quite a big worry for lots of Year 6 parents. Scandalous is putting it a bit too high. Maybe 'inappropriate' is a bit nearer the mark because of course I am speculating.

Benefit of the doubt!

westof, are you a teacher at Kingsdale?

Sorry? This is going to be me worrying next year so watch how you judge.