Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:29 pm Post subject: OFSTED Returns To Marton
It is indeed good news that Marton will once again be visited by Ofsted and hopefully an unbiased view will be given as to the current state of the school.
There are a few questions which spring to mind as a result of this visit,
Will Mr Lund personally welcome the inspectors at the school gates again ?
IF THE ofsted report bears out the Councils spin that the school is making good progress,,,,,,,how will it explain the recent low scores that Marton achieved as a result of last years Sats ?
Why were these results of last years Sats not sent out to parents until after the children had indeed left the school ?
Will the Inspectors ask the question why has so many children been removed from School over the past 18 months, allowing for the fact the schools in the close vacitinity are all well subscribed to.
Will the Inspector ask why there has been such a huge turnover in staff, in fact more so than ever before in Martons history ? In the last Inspection Ofsted were told that a "significant number of staff" had left recently, what will the Inspectors be told this time after the flood gates to quantify the exodus from Marton
The last report referred to a number of staff being ‘afraid to speak out in the staffroom’ has this changed at all ? Staff certainly speak out on this forum
.How Come the "small group of vindictive parents, who have no concern for Marton School" are still trying to have there voices heard some 2 years after the last Inspection.
Why are we having an Inspection at all,I think I am right in saying one is not due now, so maybe it is as a direct result of the MSAG's complaint to the DFeS after all they are attributed to just about everything else.
I for one have no idea how the school will come out of this inspection, largely becauseall the information to hand seems to contradict that supplied by Mr Lund and that of Blackpool Borough Council.Good Luck Marton I think you are going to need it !!!!
Well what do you know. Marton are being inspected once again. Another additional cost to Blackpool residents. Don't get me wrong, I welcome this with open arms. But let's face it, if the LEA had dealt with things correctly 2 years ago it wouldn't have been needed.
Due to the recently published SATS results I have every confidence that if a proper Inspection takes place then the result will not be good. How can it be. The results speak for themselves. Maybe when an 'Independent Body' confirms what we all know, and what the government figures show, finally the LEA will do something to stop the ongoing decline of Marton Primary School.
I for one, and I know I speak for scores of others, will be delighted to give my full support to helping to return the school the what it was 2 years ago. The school needs a leader who can do this. If this starts to happen the local parents will be delighted. It would give me no better feeling that to return my child to Marton as a way of showing my committment to this.
I am sure most will agree that this is long overdue, let us hope this team will finally see through facade that was evident on the last inspection.
Will a select few of hand picked parents be chosen again to the voice their full support of the current headteacher. Let us hope that they will try to get a more accurate cross section of parents. I am not suggesting that they should only seek out those who believe the school, under its current leadership, is in serious need of help. I am merely suggesting that lemmings, who are ready to jump of a cliff for the current head, are possibly not the only ones to talk to. I apologise for those who take offence for my description, but i am still waiting for an apology from them for allowing the school to be in the situation it is.
Bill and Ben, for once the money spent on this inspection could be the best money thre LEA has spent to date on MARTON SCHOOL , I hope the Inspectors are not "Got At" prior to this Inspection by individuals who may have their own agenda to uphold !!
Tracey, you suggest that the parents were hand picked at the last inspection,rightly or wrongly, would you have not done the same? this time you need to make a charge to the front of the queue to speak to these people, to make sure the same situation cannot happen again,it will be interseting to see which members of staff they talk to, I wander if it will be the ones who have benefitted most from Mrs Coupes Headship,
Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 1:04 pm Post subject: Who REALLY comes first?
Let’s put this Inspection in perspective: this is NOT a follow-up to the one that took place in November 2005 by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate. That one (expressing concerns over the standards being achieved at that time) should have had a follow-up before now. But on 2 December 2005 the Action Group lodged an official complaint against the Head Teacher, the Chair of Governors and the Director of Children’s Services. This has been under investigation ever since by the DfES, who are also responsible for arranging OfSTED inspections. It does not take any great leap of imagination to understand why this FULL inspection is now imminent!
This is an important occasion, as it is more than likely that it will be this inspection that directly determines the fate of the three people who are the subject of the complaint referred to above. The LEA is desperate to see the outcome of the OfSTED as “Good” or better. They can not afford a lesser result, as that will only confirm that those of us who have protested about events at the school since September 2004 have been right all along. Mr Lund and his lackeys would have us believe that all the problems that have beset the school recently were down to the administration BC (“Before Coupe”) – in other words it was all Mrs Lancaster’s fault, and those horrible people who keep posting on this forum…
So expect to hear those Councillors who support Mr Lund to trot out how they believe the school is making good progress now, and how everyone must rally round and support the school. Admirable platitudes, of course – except that anyone with any direct knowledge of the school knows that it is NOT making “good progress”, and that the only way it can do so will be once the present administration has been replaced. Only then will the school get a chance to recruit quality teaching staff to support those already in place, and only then will the long road to recovery begin. There are several people who are now desperately trying to cover their backs, and whose political future hangs in the balance because of the position they have publicly maintained – which is no doubt why Blackpool Borough Council dropped its slogan of “Blackpool – Where People Come First”.
I welcome the news that the school is to be inspected again by OFSTED, but as Alan said in his last post this is in fact not something that would normally happen so soon after the last one, it is virtually unheard of. So, is it happening because the LEA want it to try and show all is well? Or is it because the DFES want it as part of their investigation? Hum, I wonder?
As I am not a parent of a child at Marton, I will not be able to attend the open parents meeting which should be held when there is an OFSTED inspection, although I did attend the last one, may I urge all parents to attend this meeting and ask questions, air your thoughts and worries. It may be your last chance!
I know it might not be possible, but would there be any chance of another public meeting. The last one was, I thought well attended, it would be an opportunity for parents, past parents and people who just care about Marton to get together and have their say. Maybe the LEA and councillors could be invited along to put their side across. Just an idea!!
I have heard today from a couple of ex parents of Marton children that they have been thinking of standing as independent candidates in the next local elections. Now that would be interesting, good luck to them, they have my vote!
Where has this information come from about Ofsted? Surely it's the follow visit from HMI, not a full Ofsted?
If it is Ofsted then I agree with the other posters that it's an opportunity for them to look very closely at everything that has gone on, not least the latest League Table results. Surely this in itself is enough to alert them to problems. Things cannot be allowed to be glossed over and covered up again. Perhaps the inspectors need to be pointed towards this website in order to get a balanced view this time, not a totally one-sided one as it was last time.
Mr Wilson, I think your suggestion of another public meeting is a good one. I have spoken to several people lately who have concerns about the way Marton continues to be run, and I think there would be a good response.
The sooner this whole sorry mess is sorted out the better for all concerned. Let's not forget the children who are at the centre of it all. They deserve better.
The information was suppled by an official at the council (Identity protecected) I have copied a short extract to comfirm that another OFSTED will take place sometime soon.
"You may be interested to know that OSFTED are due to return at some point soon and we are confident that they will be pleased with the progress."
Progress what progress ? Let's hope it takes place sooner rather than later.
The information was suppled by an official at the council (Identity protecected) I have copied a short extract to comfirm that another OFSTED will take place sometime soon.
"You may be interested to know that OSFTED are due to return at some point soon and we are confident that they will be pleased with the progress."
Progress what progress ? Let's hope it takes place sooner rather than later.
"You may be interested to know that OSFTED are due to return at some point soon and we are confident that they will be pleased with the progress."
I had to read this three times.
we are confident that they will be pleased with the progress.
This comment really says it all - they are totally deluded!
As you say,Wayne, what progress?
Have they actually looked at the League Tables?
Have they actually looked at the number of staff leaving?
Have they actually looked at the falling rolls (and NOT just due to the falling birthrate, as they will see if they compare Marton to other schools).
I find that comment from an official at the council extremely worrying. The only conclusion I can draw is that there is some serious propoganda going on in Progress House. When is SOMEBODY going to be big enough to admit that there is a problem, instead of blindly following the official council line?
It is obvious that the council needs a shake-up. In my opinion there is a worrying misuse of power.
MrWilson (above) mentions ex-Marton parents thinking of standing for the council in the next elections. If they are seriously going into it to challenge the way education is being run in Blackpool then I think they may be pleasantly surprised at the high level of support they get. Perhaps then, as my signature says, the truth will come out. Let's hope so, for the sake of Marton School's future. _________________ EVENTUALLY THE TRUTH WILL OUT, JUSTICE WILL BE DONE.
Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 5:16 pm Post subject: Ofsted reservations
Like Tracey, I have serious reservations about another Ofsted inspection. Some of the blame for the affairs of the last couple of years must lie at their door - they were easily swayed by Mrs Coupe's presentation and Mr Lund, who turned up to greet them on the first day. They, in a way, gave the go ahead for the terrible events which overtook the school in following months.
Some of their statements, which I questioned immediately, were very dubious. For example they criticised the co-ordinator of English - yet English results in 2005 were the only ones above the National and Blackpool levels. They praised the co-ordinators for Maths and English yet Maths dropped to an all time low and prompted the massive input the following year by the CEA and the many extra maths lessons to the detriment of an all-round eductaion. Surely there must be some link between the success in a subject and the person who co-ordinates that subject?
This was like Ofsted visiting Old Trafford and praising the team for its huge success - the most successful English team over the past 15 years but criticising Alex Ferguson as a bully and an ineffective manager.
I am afraid that many Ofsted inspectors have been a long time out of the classroom and can easily be manipulated - we have seen it before in 2005.
I apologise for being so negative but I sincerely hope that ALL factors are taken into account this time. There have been too many travesties of justice and cover-ups already.
Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 7:40 pm Post subject: Out of the ordinary
Before Christmas, the staff at Marton knew nothing of the forthcoming Ofsted inspection, announced on this website. As the information seemingly came from Councillors, it already seems “Out of the ordinary.”
Ofsted inspections are only carried out every 4 years, and now, with less than a week’s notice to the school and CSA. Seemingly, the Marton Ofsted has been announced more than 6 weeks before it is to commence. The rules are already changed. I wonder if Mr Lund will put in an appearance at Marton to meet the chief inspector, as he did last time? This again is very different practice, as the Director of CSA does not generally make the effort to meet Inspectors; although he does seem to be in contact with the Head quite frequently. It must really bug some people.
i am not sure what the normal protocol is regarding the ofsted inspections. is it normal procedure for them to notify a school 6 weeks prior to their inspection? does Mr. lund greet the inspectors at all the schools?
If an ofsted inspection is imminent then surely a meeting will be called where parents can meet the inspectors and have their say? I know that is normal procedure, but unless a letter has gone home tonight, nothing has yet been sent to parents. I know of quite a few parents who are anxious to air their views, particularly in the light of recent revelations. _________________ EVENTUALLY THE TRUTH WILL OUT, JUSTICE WILL BE DONE.
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 7:37 pm Post subject: OFSTED
Mary, you may be interested to know that OFSTED are due to return to the school during this term. The CSA Advisors are due in school this week. This is because the school sits in the category of “Underachieving.” This is the official finding of OFSTED. The HMI Inspectors should have been back in long before now to monitor progress in a school which caused concern for HMI, regarding the standard of education provided at Marton.
The CSA’s Advisors are spending an enormous amount of time trying to support the Headteacher just to meet the basic functions required.
Whatever spin Mr Lund gives parents and Councillors, he has certainly been criticised for his lack of leadership in this case.
Did you know that David Lund, Director of Education, has never been in charge of a school? He only rose to the rank of Deputy Head. Some might say that this lack of experience would explain the mess the department now finds itself in.
The growing number of dissatisfied parents is still causing concern for the Authority and that, coupled with the recent investigation by DfES has had a real impact. Don’t think though, that Councillors are ignoring your complaints. They are becoming increasingly concerned that these problems are not going away.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Join! (free) 
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
