Give them a break !

Germanshepherdsmum

It’s a good start though isn’t it? Too many children are leaving primary school with inadequate reading skills for example. Jay Blades may have been able to make something of his life without being able to read, but that was because he was rescued from a life of drug dealing and petty crime - which is what so many young people with an inadequate education fall into.

The idea that a schools Ofsted rating has anything at all to do with children with difficulties actually learning to read is not supportable. My dyslexic DS attended a school rated as outstanding, he still left unable to read, and he was constatnly criticised for his lack of ability.

I understand that trisher. But not all children with inadequate reading skills have ‘learning difficulties’ as you must know.

I left primary school with a reading age well above my years, beautiful handwriting and my times tables and Latin verbs imprinted on my brain.
I was a desperately unhappy child and hated education.
We had to learn because we were terrified of the alternative.
The nuns were fierce.

Our children went to wonderful and happy primary schools.
I once arrived at my sons prep school midday as he had retuned without some necessary kit.
It was snowing heavily, an embarrassed master intercepted me and apologised profusely, they had suspended learning, handed out trays from the refectory and taken them all sledging in PE kit.
Ofsted would have closed them down!!!!

I know loads of schools where that happens sago. They arent closed down they have good ratings.

Germanshepherdsmum

I understand that trisher. But not all children with inadequate reading skills have ‘learning difficulties’ as you must know.

No GSM but you used Jay Blades (who is dyslexic) as an example and then commented about people with inadequate education being criminals(about 30% of the prison population are dyslexic). You regarded inspections as "a start" which it obviously isn't if after so many years they are still failing to educate children even in schools that are rated outstanding.

Josieann - I take your point. But the model on which the targets are set is a narrow academic model - whether public or grammar school - and it is not appropriate to those children who can never aspire to meet those targets, but, and this is the most important thing, have many talents and assets that get ignored and leave them feeling worthless. Then .... prey to drug pushers, get into a pattern of unemployment and a life on benefits etc. We need to give teachers the time and space to nurture these children and develop what they CAN do, rather than making the teachers try and shovel them down an academic-based curriculum that is not appropriate to their needs. However hard teachers try to do right by them, they always know that they have OfSted looking over their shoulder.

I have nothing against public schools for the right children and for those parents who really believe that this is the right thing for their children. I just do jot want their curricula to be force fed to those in state education.

jot??? - not

I said qualifications were a start, not inspections.
I also referred to inadequate reading skills, not inadequate education.
I’m perfectly well aware that Jay Blades is dyslexic but I’m sure you would agree that that isn’t the case with all kids who emerge from the education system with inadequate literacy or numeracy skills.

Germanshepherdsmum

I said qualifications were a start, not inspections.
I also referred to inadequate reading skills, not inadequate education.
I’m perfectly well aware that Jay Blades is dyslexic but I’m sure you would agree that that isn’t the case with all kids who emerge from the education system with inadequate literacy or numeracy skills.

Actually the main drop in reading skills happens between the move from primary school and during the first year of secondary education when children whose reading skills still need support lose confidence and slip back. Many education authorities realised this was happening some time ago and actually introduced summer programmes and extra support during the first year of secondary school. Most of the schemes relied heavily on teaching assistants, many of whom have seen their jobs disappear and of course all schools are cutting costs, because funding isn't keeping up with expenses. I dread to think what will happen when schools get their latest fuel bills. The first strategies for intervention at this age happened in 2012 there was a report in 2018- before Covid of course. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/739722/literacy_and_numeracy_catch_up_strategies_amended_july-2018_amended_10.09.18.pdf

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