Ivydale School: on the up or not?

[muppet19]

I've seen the recent Ofsted report but interested in some feedback from parents - do you think it's likely to improve further? Are you children happy there?

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi Muppet,

Yes & yes in my opinion. It's a fab school and as far as the Ofsted....in all honesty I think we were robbed. But, the school has immediately responded to the negative points raised & are working hard to get a better result next time.

It's a lovely, friendly school with a fantastic atmosphere & a very active parent body.

There is a 'street party' on the day of the Royal Wedding in the playground in the afternoon, why not come along & meet some of the parents, children & staff.

[ad2000]

My son is new to the school but I know a lot of parents of children there and they are very happy. As an aside, I have been going to the children's centre there with my new born and the staff are FANTASTIC!!!!!! I think this reflects how much of a community feeling that is there. I have worked in education for years and can honestly say that this is not the norm across the city. I also don't take Ofsted's word as gospel. Best to visit schools and make your own conclusions. I totally agree with Molly's comments. Hope this helps...

[nunheadmum]

Another endorsement for Ivydale here. I think it's true that the school still has some issues to address fully and these were picked up on by Ofsted. But I think you have to bear in mind that the school was in special measures not so long ago so there were lots of problems that needed to be put right. Lots of the problems have been addressed and others are being addressed now.

And I don't think you can ignore the fact that the demographic of the local area has changed over time - although hopefully it won't change so much as to lose what makes Nunhead such a good area.

It's been a long time since I was last in a school playground so maybe I'm not comparing like with like, but I'm amazed by how friendly it is in the playground before and after school and just how many of the other mums and dads I know, from the children's centre, classmates or just around the area. I think that really is the school's strength, the real community feel. That and some really dedicated teachers.

And another plug for the Street Party after the Royal Wedding on the 29th April. We really hope that it'll be a community event, not just those connected to the school.

[h1981]

nunheadmum Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Another endorsement for Ivydale here. I think

> it's true that the school still has some issues to

> address fully and these were picked up on by

> Ofsted. But I think you have to bear in mind that

> the school was in special measures not so long ago

> so there were lots of problems that needed to be

> put right. Lots of the problems have been

> addressed and others are being addressed now.

>

I don't think Ivydale has ever been in special measures. In 2010 and 2008 it was a "satisfactory school". In 2003 it was "sound and improving". In 2001 it was "designated as having serious weaknesses". Before then I don't know!

[nunheadmum]

Apologies if I'm wrong. There was always talk of how the last head had turned the school around and really improved things - I guess I just made an assumption or perhaps heard the comment from someone and took it for fact. To be honest, I've been more focused on what the school is doing now than reviewing old reports so, again, apologies if I got that wrong.

The basic concept remains though that the school appears to be working hard to address any significant weaknesses that remain. And my current experiences of the school are largely very positive.

[east-of-the-Rye]

It was certainly in some kind of trouble in 2001 when we sent our eldest there into Yr 4 having taken it him out of St Mary Magdelen (probably now a great school) which had just imploded under the stress of their rebuilding. I think it might have been in special measures but in any case the Head was having to teach classes as well as do everything else that a Head does. Our younger one started in Reception later that year. We loved the way it welcomed parents, had great music, pushed the brighter children AND managed to keep some kids who would have been excluded elsewhere, and didn't bother with a compulsory uniform (Britain is the ONLY country in Europe that thinks uniforms have anything to do with education.) Intake was a bit variable in some years and finances difficult, so that by the time our youger one was in Yrs 4, 5, and 6, the classes were mixed ages groups Yrs 4 & 5 and Yrs 5 & 6 (2007), which may or may not have been a good thing. But parents stuck with the school, and appreciated the good things, without just concentrating on the SATS results and that's probably why it's a popular school now. I think the Head before last (Karen McBride) was really good, and Ray O'Neill the last one too.

[supergolden88]

My daughter started reception in January. She also attends breakfast and afterschool clubs and is very happy at Ivydale. She has made lots of friends and is excited to go to school every day. In that respect the school is a great success.

One thing I wish they would improve is communicating with the parents. There have been a couple of phonics workshops and there's a little homework book in which the teacher and parents put in comments but apart from that I have no idea what my daughter does in class (and asking her is pointless). I know some other schools have email/text updates and invite parents to sit in at some classes etc.

[tallgirl]

A few years ago Ivydale was in the bottom 100 schools in the country, so it has improved massively since then! I know several people with children at the school. The Early Years section is very good (nursery/reception) and the school is very strong on music and art. Where it falls down is in the junior years in terms of behaviour and providing suitable work for brighter pupils and homework (but this may change by the time the current intake reaches the juniors). You should also look at Hollydale, my friends with children there are really happy with the school on all counts. If you live in Nunhead, Edmund Waller and Turnham are also popular with Nunhead residents. You probably will get more feedback from the Nunhead Forum, nunheadforum.co.uk

[DenmotherSmith]

I have three sons at Ivydale,two in the juniors. I think the behaviour, homework and support for bright kids is very good. My eldest son has excelled within their gifted and talented program, I have spent time in his class and with his peers in general and never found their behaviour anything other then excellent. His year six teacher is extremely supportive and last week, after school hours, called me after marking a piece of his work to let me know the how happy she was with the progress he had made.

Like many parents I was disappointed with the result of their recent ofsted inspection, mainly because it did not seem to represent the school as I have experienced it. But I must admit since visiting many secondary schools last year and often not at all convinced the ofsted inspectors and I were visiting the same school, I have become rather sceptical of their reports!