Latest Ravenestone Ofstead Report Locked

[Sandimous]

- You say that the issues in the Oftsed report are being addressed. Are we to take your word for this, or will you be giving details?

No, I won't be giving details, but an action plan will be made available by the school in a few weeks. Not sure why it is so unbelievable that the school would address the issues raised in the report anyhow.

[papinian]

No, I won't be giving details, but an action plan will be made available by the school in a few weeks. Not sure why it is so unbelievable that the school would address the issues raised in the report anyhow.

Well, one of the most significant issues raised in the Ofsted report was a failure by the governors to hold the school to account for the performance of the children. One reading of the report is that the culture of complacency stated with the governors.

I have read today the following on the blog of Elizabeth McFarlane, one of the governors:

"The school just had a nasty OFSTED inspection and I want to cheer them up, especially the head teacher because he is a lovely man and a great head. I'm very fond of him. So that message I made, out of lots of cut-out letters from old newspapers and stuck on a piece of card, to give to the head teacher and staff at the school where I am a governor, and where they just had a horrible OFSTED inspection, it said: Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down. Seems appropriate somehow."

http://idontknowhowshedoesntdoit.blogspot.co.uk/

<removed by moderator>

[Cronut]

oh dear, so it seems as if my gut feeling on this may actually be right, no sense of responsibility/accountability forthcoming...seems that Ofsted did understand the culture at GB level after all!!

You should keep that blog article for the next time Ofsted do a visit, I am sure they will be most impressed

[papinian]

oh dear, so it seems as if my gut feeling on this may actually be right, no sense of responsibility/accountability forthcoming...seems that Ofsted did understand the culture at GB level after all!!

You should keep that blog article for the next time Ofsted do a visit, I am sure they will be most impressed

I have already emailed Ofsted to bring the blog to their attention and to ask whether it is appropriate for a school governor to publicly refer to the Ofsted inspectors as "bastards". I really hope Ofsted takes some action and gets rid of what has become a self-perpetuating clique among the Ravenstone governors.

One of the reasons that religious schools and foundation schools do better is that the new governors are not being chosen by the existing governors as is the case at community primary schools. The churches and the foundations have enough distance to ask the difficult questions.

[JustSW17]

Papilian,

I see that your posts have gone from being negative and reactionary to being personally vindictive.

What's your beef with Ravenstone? Seriously? What have its Governors, teachers, parents and/or children done to offend you so?

[Goldhawk]

Having read the report & the blog it doesn't sound like the blogging Governor will be attempting to hold the school to account for any of the issues raised

[papinian]

Papilian,

I see that your posts have gone from being negative and reactionary to being personally vindictive.

What's your beef with Ravenstone? Seriously? What have its Governors, teachers, parents and/or children done to offend you so?

JustSW17: Stop attacking the messanger.

[headshrinker]

Wow, it really feels like people are on a mission to undermine the reputation of the school and not for the first time on NVN (a recent thread on Rutherford House springs to mind). Perhaps these people might like to consider that if you are successful in your endeavours you will ultimately harm the children who attend the school.

It is completely valid that people who have children at the school or who are considering sending them there should discuss their concerns, but other people gleefully discrediting the school, the governors and the parents with very little first hand experience might want to consider their actions more carefully.

[Fed up]

I am horrified that such a personal attack on a school governor is allowed on this forum. Infact 2 have been mentioned by name. I am an ex parent and know how much time and commitment they have given to Ravenstone over a number of years. Absolutely disgusting and so unfair

[Annabel (admin)]

Hello All
Can I remind everyone to keep this discussion as objective as possible.

This should be a web debate about the issues raised from an Ofsted inspection and not about personal attacks.

To date, no-one has complained or asked for this thread to be moderated but I have removed a couple of references that I felt were too personal.

If anyone feels there are other elements that need attention please email me at nappyvalleynet@btinternet.com

Thank you.

[Wheresmyschool?]

I think there are some important issues that need to be discussed relating to the Ofsted inspection.

I don't think attempting to debate something as important as our child's education is "undermining" the school although I can see how those with children already at the school might feel that way.

However I also feel REALLY strongly that some posters are weakening their very strong cases by descending to petty insults and rudeness.

There are some questions that need answers but if those are asked in a rude and offensive manner then no-one will get an answer.

WMS

[Fed up]

I agree with you...WMS... Well said

[papinian]

We've been asking questions on this thread for 10 days now. All we've seen from the board of governors of Ravenstone in that time is one of them refer to the Ofsted inspectors as "bastards".

When the report became public it became apparent that most of the criticism is directed at the board of governors. This is a state school and the governors take on a public responsibility. If the posters like Fed Up saying that the governors should not be named and shamed have their way then nothing will ever be done. Are posters really saying that governors should not be accountable, especially those of them who are only too happy to grab any bit of media exposure they can get?

Ravenstone is not just there to be a school for middle class special needs pupils for whom independent schools are unsuitable (both in the eyes of the parents and the eyes of the school). It has to pay heed to the needs of all of its pupils, including very able pupipls those whose parents don't have the money to have the choice of independent schools. This exact point is one of the criticisms of the Ofsted report. Unfortunately, the clique among the governors has contributed to the problems.

Those posters who want to act like ostriches can do so, but don't expect the rest of us to stick our heads in the sand with you.

[Fed up]

Not really sure why you are so angry ,bitter etc etc etc. I'm not worried about your views on the school but you made personnel digs that we're not relevant to the ofsted report. Hence their removal.
That's it from me as I have better things to do with my time.

[Annabel (admin)]

Hi Everyone
I've spoken to a number of the posters involved in this thread and I'm going to unlock it again.

Thank you to everyone for using NVN.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to email me on nappyvalleynet@btinternet.com

Thank you