intexasatthe moment

Fantastic idea - hope it gets funding . Well done for all the effort so far - sorry if that soundfs patronising ,not meant that way .

Oh dear ,sympathies . Wonder if something to do with heavy rain ? Leak ?

whereabouts in East Dulwich was this ?

Personal attacks and conspiracy theories aside ,Kingsdale is a school on the rise . I am very conscious that discussions like this can very easily damage a school's reputation . I very much doubt whether parents and the public will ever be provided with information about the alleged exam misspractice last year .I don't know but think that such reports remain confidential . I think it would be headline news if GCSEs and /or AS levels weren't awarded to a cohort because misspractice had been discovered . I've never seen such headlines ,and none of us would want to . However their absence doesn't make me think that there is never any misspractice . It makes me think that advice is given and followed . I imagine the criticisms by some teachers will also be managed discreetly . So ,unfortunately ,these issues will remain unclarified . I'm sure the school will move on and continue to build on it's success . Personally I think the verocity of some of the responses on this thread to people who have the temerity to keep asking questions has given an impression of a rather extreme defensiveness which won't brook any suggestion of criticism . Again , personally I think that's prolonged the thread and added fuel to the fire ( of the rumour mill - sorry to mix my metaphors ) .

Since there were clearly a minority (significant or otherwise) of people willing to drip feed the odd nugget on here if it suited them. I have read posts on here which keep stressing the three areas of debate ,all already in the public domain ( admissions policy ,alleged exam misspractice ,group of teachers raising concerns ) as though these completely negate the good things at Kingsdale . But a drip feed of nuggets ? Have I missed something ?

Kingsdale remains a fantastic school that parents are desperate to send their children to . Thank heavens it has finally become this after years of effort from the headteacher and staff . Ofsted's positive comments while being off the shelf standard Ofsted speak should be celebrated . We shouldn't dismiss the positive in this report but equally we shouldn't dismiss Ofsted's views regarding the concerns brought to them by some staff . As I've said before ,it will have taken a great deal of effort ,concern and courage for staff to voice criticisms of the school . I think it is great credit to the teachers who have concerns that they have remained ( and that they have not allowed their views to affect the smooth running of the school and their teaching of pupils ) and that they are seeking an improvement in the situation . It shows their commitment to their profession . To keep referring to this as " oh wherever you work there are always some unhappy staff who can't handle change " is ,in my view ,unhelpful and patronising . The school has made fantastic improvements ,but these shouldn't be at any cost and they need to be sustainable . I'm sure that Kingsdale will address the issues noted by Ofsted ,to ignore them will jepordise the longterm success of the school .

Ofsted don't use the word " complaints " they say " criticisms and concerns " and go on to say that many of them are "are serious and substantial". Which doesn't sound as though Ofsted regard this is just another group of whingeing teachers who are sounding off again .

A largely positive report and my own personal view is that the head has been at this school - through good and bad times - for many years . And I respect him for his experience and staying power . But this isn't just a large organisation with a few unhappy staff . It's a school ( paid for by our taxes ) ,it's not ( or shouldn't be IMO ) a business . There are different implications to having a few unhappy staff on role ,not least those expressed by westof. I'm amazed that teachers have the energy to have persued their concerns this far - in my book that's not because they're a little dissafected ,it's because they are very worried . Seriously you don't teach in a secondary school unless you like the job and are very committed . You don't raise complaints against the SLT unless you have an exceptionally good reason . And I can think of no other instances where Ofsted have taken such concerns seriously . I'm sure there must be ,but my point is that this is exceptional .

Thank you Bob - you're very patient with me !

I think I can see why the posts were removed - it's tricky to have an on line debate about such sensitive issues as possible misspractice regarding exam procedures ,especially prior to an investigation . Like curmudgeon I hope that issues will be addressed . And possibly it's a healthy sign that staff ( especially a minority ) feel able to voice concerns ,albeit that they have ( presumably as a last resort ) had to go to an outside body . I can think of 3 schools ( only one in Southwark and no I won't name it ,but it did involve cheating regarding exams ) where the regime was so oppresive ( staff " observed " and monitored to death ,timetable and class allocation manipulated as a form of harrasment )that grievances would never have got this far .

mmm - I am planning to replace a 15watt CFL with a 25 watt "energy saving " spiral type bulb - because I thought the latter would be brighter .

Metallic - no not news really . I recall some posts on here regarding extreme pressure from senior staff to get good results ( which might be where the query regarding exams came in ) . Think the reference was not to the head but someone else . But the posts were deleted - not by the posters . And I believe that the investigation into the examination process is not made public . Though happy to hear from someone who knows that I'm wrong .

I too have worked in schools and was amazed by the power that heads and SLT could wield to influence the daily life of teachers . It takes a very brave and strong person to disagree with a headteacher and the SLT ,especially when so much of their energy goes into an extremley demanding job . And just because a minority of staff are unhappy with the way a school is run doesn't mean that their concerns aren't valid . I remember that a number of teachers left last summer ,presumably some of those would have left because they shared the misgivings of the minority referred to in the report . Presumably a minority that would therefore be larger .

I see the report is now online . http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/136309 A few extracts below The large majority of staff are very positive about the way in which the school is led and managed. Many praise the high quality of support that they receive from the school?s middle and senior leaders. 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. 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.

60w is 60w. If the maximum rating is 60w - then a 60w CFL would be tops, not a 15w (if you could buy one.. 30w is the most you'll find, I think) One of the few advantages of the CFL, a dismal innovation in most respects - is that you can fit a brighter CFL bulb than an incandescent without exceeding the rated wattage. I thought I'd understood this .... the wattage relates to amount of energy consumed but ....presumably heat generated is another important factor if one is fitting a bulb other than manufacturer specified ? Do CFL's run cool ? I'm slightly unnerved because I've just bought a lampshade from Asda for a ceiling pendant fitting and the attached advice is bulb rating : Max 60w ( some other intials which I've torn off ,possibly G or C E ) or 14 Watt low energy bulb . Are low energy bulbs hot ? And guess watt - I thought I'd ordered a CFL ,but now I'm not sure . ( what is the matter with me ! ) It's a spiral tube affair but it's description is "energy saving ".It's 25watt . But I suppose it's going to be no good to use in the anglepoise ? Any advice gratefully received ,especially if it factors in my blind spot/inability to understand this subject .

Fuschia - the Ofsted site says that schools get the report ( not just the immediate feedback ) before Ofsted put it up on their site . Would you know whether that applies to section 8 inspections as well ? Apologies to all who were hoping to get a place at Kingsdale and have just had news to say they haven't - I appreciate my interest in this topic may seem irritating .

Yes ...and I expect the guidance says something like "usually/normally" . It'll be there eventually I know . Wonder if the school will put it up on their website before Ofsted put it on theirs ? Sending good thoughts to all the poor people waiting for news this evening .

I wonder when the Ofsted report will be published . Does anyone know ? And sympathies to everyone on tenterhooks to hear result of secondary school allocation today .

My mothers surgery offer " telephone consultations " ,need to be booked and not sure how long it takes to get one . During my travails with Forest Hill Rd ( not same surgery as mother ) the abrupt receptionist never suggested this as an option - and frankly I was in too much pain to think straight and to ask if this service was available . But apparently Forest Hill offer it as well - maybe all surgeries do ? But a telephone consultation might have been the answer for sunskippy and treehugger . So one to remember . Plus lower your expectations - GP's are busy ,norovirus is rampant - can be scary when you're in it's grip but if you're a generally healthy adult won't require a GP visit . And the walk in clinic at the Lister http://www.southwarkpct.nhs.uk/our_services/gp_walk_in_centre and New Cross ( apparently much less busy than Peckham ) http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/GP.aspx?pid=E6A6BC33-5A63-4D71-B01A-45CB35A0392F are open 8am to 8pm 7 days a week + bank holidays and are very good .

Thank you that's really helpful .

thank you red devil ,would you be able to tell me what watt the cfl you're using is ? By which I mean in terms of equivalent to the old incandescent 60watt ,100 watt range ?

Looking for a desk lamp for an elderly person to read by . Light on table near easy chair positioned adjacent to table ,elderly person not sitting at table . I started off thinking CFL as looking for a daylight type light ,but all the table lamp ones seem not to be very bright . ( yes I know " bright " = minefield of luxes ,lumens ,candlesomethings etc etc . which I struggle to get my head round ) Thinking low temperature and ease of positioning . Maybe this Anglepoise LED http://www.anglepoise.com/Type75LED.aspx. Can people give me their views ( subjective I suppose ) on how halogen v LED work for them as a targeted /focused light to read by ? Please help ,soooo many hours of my life being spent on this .

hillbillie I think the recent change to the wording is so that the way in which the school administers their stated current policy conforms to the adjudicator's ruling . I don't think they have time to change the policy ( the'd have to consult etc ) for this year's admissions .

I'm afraid this is a general problem . I'm with Forest Hill Rd . I've had some ongoing infection/pain stuff during the last 2 months and on 3 ocassions have phoned only to be told that the next available appointment is 4 of 5 days away . The walk in clinic at the Lister is good and apparently they also have one at New Cross which is " much less busy " . Guess it's a busy time of year ,norovirus and all that . Suppose we all need to lower our expectations . Sigh ,off to swallow more painkillers .

5 choices - Debster why use the word " choice " ? You must be aware that no choice is involved . And everything what prickle said . Except I'll pass on Starsky .