| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Acton High School-one parent's perspective on what a better school it may be! | |
| Posted by: | Ansa Sheikh | |
| Date/Time: | 22/09/18 00:31:00 |
| It's very early days, probably too soon to make a proper judgement if I'm honest. The kids have only been back a week so I'll tell you what I think and know from the questions I, and other mothers I know, have asked their kids. The short answer is that there has been a definite improvement in behaviour and as a result, the lessons are calmer and learning is taking place across the board, not just in top sets, which can only be a good thing. I know however, that there have been a lot of posts on Facebook about this first week. I'm not on FB but before this thread begins to resemble the FB thread, I'd like to give my take on the first week at Ark Acton Academy, and I do so with no great authority on the matter but as someone who strongly supported Ark coming to AHS. The first day was a huge shock for some of the pupils, not all but definitely some, including my daughter who is now in year 9. The structure of the school day, how pupils conduct themselves, the consequences they receive and how quickly they get them, the new routines - all these were not only unfamiliar but the expectations were set very high and seemed uncompromising, especially to the children who were already pupils at the school and used to a very different type of school. My daughter came home upset and exhausted, not because she had had to change her behaviour but because she had been expected, along with her peers, to repeat routines until everyone in the class was following them diligently. She had found it very frustrating and tiring and she was not alone. She vented her feelings to me and I listened, sympathised and then explained to her why the first day had been so difficult and what staff, now familiar with the Ark system, had been hoping to achieve with what seemed like extremely rigid discipline. I also explained that whilst I totally understood why her day had been so difficult, it was only the first day and standards were being set, finally with strong enough boundaries so there were no grey areas anymore. Whilst most of her teachers in the last two years have been good to very good, the behaviour in her mixed abilities lessons has been pretty poor and it has affected the education she has received. I reminded her that first and foremost, she goes to school to receive an education, both academic and social. Daily and general disruptive behaviour, some of which has been shaped by very low expectations of the children by some staff; weak, confusing or lenient boundaries set by the school; inconsistent consequences and a lack of support from some parents has dogged the school. So to me, it is a no brainer. If the beginning of term is a bit of a shock because the new systems in place are not only strict but having to counter the old systems, we are just going to have to deal with it. I would say however, that I had done my homework. I had visited an Ark school and been in touch with Ark so was aware of what to expect from outset. And, for the record, I don't agree with everything Ark does but was happy to discuss it with the executive head at that school and get his take on it. What was interesting to me about last Monday was that some children hadn't been particularly bothered by a day of endless routines and expectation setting. There was a definite split in the children I know at the school and it didn't seem to correlate to year group, gender, tutor forms or much else. It seemed to depend on the child's personality. That's not to take away from my daughter's feelings but it was reassuring that some kids thought the day was, at worst, boring and some kids enjoyed their day. On Tuesday, when my daughter came home, she was more settled and had had an alright day. At one point, she even said that though she could see the long term gains to be made by some of the new systems in place, they were tedious nonetheless. Most importantly, her lessons had been good and she liked her teachers. If I'm honest, I was hugely relieved. Since then, behaviour has continued to remain improved and the results of that must be making a big difference, not only to the children but also to the staff. Behaviour in the halls is also better and there is less fighting and aggressive behaviour. I also know that some SEN pupils are finding the calmer, less disruptive environment far easier to navigate and feel happier and more settled and able to follow their lessons. The school is still finding it's feet but as a parent, I am happier for my daughter. The children aren't being asked to do much more than behave respectfully and responsibly and focus on the things they go to school for in the first place. And yes, some of the routines do seem a little odd but I have faith in the teachers who have remained at the school. They know the pupils and I am sure have their best interests at heart. |