More than 250 parents meet with bosses about 'failing' Newent School
CONCERNED parents have questioned bosses at Newent Community School and Sixth Form Centre in the wake of its damning Ofsted report.
More than 250 people were at a meeting on Monday night to hear how it plans to pull itself out of special measures.
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Head: Jane Steele.
It has been rated as 'inadequate' by inspectors, with serious concerns raised about the standards of teaching, leadership and pupil achievement.
Head teacher Jane Steele has said the report does not reflect the school's strengths but acknowledges "difficult decisions" will now have to be made. She led the meeting alongside chair of governors, Dr Stephen Huckvale.
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They said a team of Ofsted inspectors will be appointed as educational consultants and a full review of the school's full leadership and management team will take place.
Governors are also to receive external training on effective ways to challenge the school.
It has not been confirmed how the cost of this will be met or if any staff will be leaving the school.
Parents were also told the Year 9 'rite of passage' trip to the Breacon Beacons would be cancelled so pupils and staff can work on the improvements needed.
Failings listed in the Ofsted report include some lessons not being interesting enough and teaching not meet the needs of less-abled and disabled pupils. It also said aspirations for below-average pupils are not high enough and leaders had not identified weaknesses in the school quickly enough.
One parent, who did not want to be named, said: "The pupils have not been spoken to yet regarding the Ofsted by the school, but Mrs Steel said that she did plan to in various groups over the coming weeks. This to me explains the confusion, alarm and despondency in pupils and mistrust of the school I have noticed as has my child.
"These children are the clients they are owed a thorough explanation by their educational provider."
They added they thought fresh blood was needed to lead the school and said: "The school was rated good in 2007, satisfactory in 2010 and now doom in 2013. Mrs Steele took over the school in 2007."
A statement was issued by the school yesterday saying the meeting had 'generally an extremely positive attitude'.
Another parent said "most of the parents were extremely supportive of the school" at the meeting.
The full report will be published by Ofsted on its website today.
Comments
by glawsteruk1
Friday, March 01 2013, 5:07PM
“How sad that any parent should consider their child a "client" of the school they attend. That sums up very clearly the point at which we have arrived in our educational system.”