Cambridge house grammer> failing school?

happy_gardener

If anyone else has a child who is due to start Cambridge in Sept 2011...what do you think of the latest info?
If only this report (said it was inspected 2 yrs ago) was made available when the selection process was in place.
Now that places have been sorted for the kids...what now?

Nothing is going to change immediately...school development plans etc takes time to be drawn up and implimented...and checked...and in the mean time....our kids are getting inadequate teaching...is that how it goes?

absoluteutopia

Already posted http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=44540696&postcount=462 and not the only one failing, why does it need a special thread of it's own?

Loka_loka

Sorry, couldn't resist, but lol at the spelling mistakes, just as well the kids go to school

butterflymum

happy_gardener wrote: »

If only this report (said it was inspected 2 yrs ago) was made available when the selection process was in place.

Reports are always available to view, in a reasonably timely fashion, online. They used to be on the DENI website itself, but are now on:

http://www.etini.gov.uk/index/inspection-reports.htm

and as I have said before on the forums, often make worthwhile reading, whether for Primary, Post-Primary or other.

For example, the 2009 Inspection Report for the school in question can be accessed at:

http://www.etini.gov.uk/report_detail.asp?id=4339

and, to quote, a small example from same states:

"The percentage of pupils achieving seven or more General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) grades at A*-C over the past three years, including English and mathematics, has been well below the average for similar Northern Ireland (NI) selective schools. At GCSE grades A*-B, most subjects are more than ten percentage points below the NI average."

But such reports always have to be read fully, and in context, as within same there can, as is the case in the above one, be many positive points too.

butterflymum

My previous post aside (which I made to help show what info is available), I do appreciate it must be very frustrating for yourself and others in a similar position. As I said in the AQE and 11+ Transfer threads, many of us will feel for you as you face these concerns and I am sure if you need to, folks on either thread will be happy to listen to your worries and offer support where possible.

happy_gardener

Wonder when the latest report shall be made available to read.

Thank-you to the above comment pointing towards the previous reports on Cambridge House in 2009.

Nothing but worry now

jadedson

My nephew goes to Cambridge House and is doing very well. He's happy there too. Since the school is getting extra financial assistance due to this report it might be the best place to send your kids to school!

happy_gardener

I have been listening to some other Mums/teachers, here are some of the comments:

(1) As they are getting more money/help they will not fail as the help is being given to the school
(2) The head must have taken her 'eye off the ball' and maybe this is a wake-up call
(3) Sack the head/senior leadership team as there is no major improvement since 2009
(4) School best place for kids because there is alot of attention on the results and for the kids to meet those results
(5) staff morale is/must be rock bottom
(6) Parents feel let down as no real mention of the report on the induction evening
(7) Will keep eye on kids exam results/happiness...plan to more kid to another school in due course.
(8) Kids are happy there and in yr 9 and doing well, no bad things to say.

All food for thought!!

Flower-power22

happy_gardener wrote: »

If anyone else has a child who is due to start Cambridge in Sept 2011...what do you think of the latest info?
If only this report (said it was inspected 2 yrs ago) was made available when the selection process was in place.
Now that places have been sorted for the kids...what now?

Nothing is going to change immediately...school development plans etc takes time to be drawn up and implimented...and checked...and in the mean time....our kids are getting inadequate teaching...is that how it goes?

Hi Happy Gardener,
The new inspectorate report has yet to be released. I'm sure it will make for some good bedtime reading.
This is the second school in Ballymena classed as failing? Ballee is the same, and has been since may 2010. My daughter was meant to be going there in September until I found out it was failing and got her changed to another school.
Just wondering did Mrs Lisk mention this on Thursday night when the parents were there? or did you find out on the news?

happy_gardener

During the speech on Thursday evening, Mrs Lisk said how the school was getting increased money&resourses and that she welcomed this..then she quickly went on to list all the achievments that the school had been involved with. During this part about how the school was getting more money, I wondered at the time how Cambridge was getting money despite the cuts that other school are having to deal with...of course all this is clear now...more money & resources to FIX the school!! I found out in the news...about the failed report and it was like a kick in the teeth...

Ballee only got a handful of first choices...compared with Dunclug which was over subscribed. I can only assume that is the school you are heading towards for your child and if so , it is an excellent school and an excellent choice

Back to the Cambridge house subject...

I wonder will the senior leadership team call a meeting with new-to-be-YR8 parents? Not for a witch hunt, but more for a Q&A session as I am sure that the room would be packed!!

Instead of looking forward I am worried.....is there anyone else who is feeling the same? Putting a child in the hands of a school system which I have no faith in, is a real difficult pill to swallow.:(:(:(:(

happy_gardener

So both the local papers have info about the current situation, inc the letter that is being/has been sent to all current pupils.
The situation will resolve itself as the help the school needs will obviously be given but the reputation of the school will take longer to heal.....:cool: