| Topic: | Re:Acton High School-one parent's perspective on what a better school it may be! | |
| Posted by: | Katharine Bourner | |
| Date/Time: | 14/05/18 17:34:00 |
| I completely agree with you Milena. As a parent of 2 daughters at AHS I'm in complete support of ARK coming in September and I'm really angry about the strikes. I think it's outrageous for the NEU to grant this many strike days. They obviously have no idea how it's affecting all our children and our local community. I hope we see an end to their leaflet distribution asap as it does not give the full picture. NEU say: Higher exclusions numbers in Academies in general. ● AHS in the first half of 2017/8 school year had an unprecedented number of permanent exclusions far above the national average. ● With established, tried and tested behaviour management systems, Ark’s input will bring stability to the classrooms. Staff will be empowered and supported in enforcing sanctions for poor behaviour. Academies fall under the same rules and regulations as community schools for the enforcement of exclusions in order to protect students from being unfairly treated. NEU say: AHS used to be outstanding ● AHS received an outstanding rating in 2006 (Teaching and Learning rated 2), a Good rating in 2009 (Teaching and Learning rated 2 and students attainment 3), a Good rating in 2013 (Teaching and Learning rated 2) and is now in Special Measures. ● In August 2017, AHS GCSE results did not reach floor standard. Out of 16 High Schools in Ealing Borough AHS was at the bottom of the list for achievement in GCSEs in 2016 and 2017. ● Two Ark schools are in the top 1% of High Schools in the country. Some Ark schools achieve a +1 progress 8 score. This means that students leave school achieving a whole grade above their expected grade. AHS achieved a -0.54 which is more than half a grade lower than expected. ● Teaching and learning of our students has to improve so that they can all reach their full potential. For the past 8+ years parents have been promised improvements but these have only been sporadic, short lived and lacking continuity. Ark will bring proven, rapid improvement that will benefit the children that go to AHS now, not those who are there in 4 years’ time. NEU say: If the school becomes an Ark you child will return to school two weeks later in September 2018. This will mean two weeks of lost learning and two weeks of additional childcare costs. ● Ark want to use the first two weeks of term to train staff and ensure an excellent start to rapid improvement. Ark stated in parents’ meetings that lost learning time is made up as the year progresses. All Ark schools in Special Measures have followed this pattern and it has worked well. In addition, the school would not be open to all students for the first 4 days of the term anyway due to staff training and staggered starts for different year groups. ● If strike action escalates as planned, there will be far more than 10 days of lost learning. Parents prefer a late opening than strike action during a crucial term for AHS pupils. NEU say: Ark lost over 4 million last year. ● “Even London-based Ark Schools, a successful chain operating 35 academies, has concerns. The chain reported a £4.1m operating deficit for 2016-17. This was five times the corresponding deficit of £800,000 in 2015-16. Seven of its 35 academies had deficits in their revenue reserves. [...] Ark Schools said its finances were “very strong”, with reserves of more than £16m. It said its quest to turn around difficult schools resulted in a “planned, short-term deficit”. The Guardian Sat 27 Jan 2018 |