General Discussion
Any Gatehouse parents with a view on the latest Ofsted report, especially those in Year 6? Feeling very let down with 'requiring improvement' grade. The quality of teaching has definitely slipped in the last few years, especially in Maths. Looks like those children moving up to the secondary school in September are going to have to work extra hard to catch up with the children coming from other schools. Doing Ofsted visits with short notice definitely caught them out.
It's a shame it's got to this level without being noticed. I agree whichever school the year 6 children will go to will find it hard.
Parents must feel very let down!
What on earth is happening to the education system in Dawlish. Gatehouse under Mr Zennerick going back a bit was the finest school you could ever wish to send your children too.
I also get daily stories from my own lad that DCC is losing staff hand over fist including the head teacher. He seems to have supply teachers for every other lesson now. Never gets any homework and dosent seem to be learning much either.
Didn't Dawlish Community College receive a letter from Mr Clegg congratulating the school for being the best in the Westcountry?
My youngest child goes to Gatehouse. I read the OFSTED report but have to say that personally they have been brilliant with my child. Gatehouse have done everything they can to help him and support him. Since starting at Gatehouse nearly two years ago he has turned into a confident and happy boy and I put a lot of that down to the excellent teachers and support staff in last years Reception Class and in this years Year One class.
However, with regards to DCC. I took my son out of that school nearly three years ago due to bullying issues that the school did not resolve. Time and again I hear of other children going through hell at DCC and parents removing their children from the school. I was amazed when I saw the newspaper report about DCC being the best in the West Country - they obviously did not talk to the parens or kids that have / are suffering. ..........
Perhaps you're lucky with your classes Emma but my child leaves this year and the last 3 years have been dire; mixed age classes, flaky teachers with major personal issues and poor general teaching. I know for a fact that a number of parents in my child's year have paid for private tutors because of the bad maths in particular. My older child was at Gatehouse under Frank Znederic when it was a brilliant school, the difference these days is just too obvious not to notice for me. I just hope working with a tutor has done enough to be at the right level for the next school and that the slap on the wrist by Ofsted can force the school to pull its collective finger out to improve for future generations.
Sorry to hear that Flo. I guess Key Stage One have faired better than Two. Hope your child gets the help they need and does well.
I have had older children go through Gatehouse school, the first starting with Mr Znideric and at that time the school was great, the children were taught well and the teachers were consistent. My younger child has not had the same experience and education at the school and it didn’t surprise me at all when I received the Ofsted report.
The SATS results for the year 6 won’t actually be a true reflection of how well the school has done as a majority of the children go to private tutors and it is them that we need to be thankful to for getting our children through their primary years.
My child came home on Friday saying that the school have no money for their year 6 leaver’s party and they would have to choose something that would not involve any costs. How worthless must they feel when previous years have had either a prom or special activities like a bucking bronco!
Thanks J3, yes I'd heard about this from another parent, not from the school. Luckily I'm not one of parents who'd already booked a limo!
Well we have the Parents meeting tonight to discuss the Ofsted report which will be interesting but much too late for us.
Now we have the new exam system to contend with which is starting with current Year 7s. I do hope DCC without Mr Davis will be up to it.
J3 I have had three go through Gatehouse and last year was the first time that year 6 didnt have a leavers prom when i questioned this with the new head her answer was proms are for adults not children. My children did realy well at Gatehouse but a proportion of the teaching staff under the new head have left i wonder if there is a management problem.
I agree with the Head - a prom or similar when they leave Primary school is totally over the top as are having limos or similar turning up at the school. One parent did that when my elder son left his Primary school and the other kids were far from impressed, they just thought it was showing off. Having a prom at that age is just daft and is more suited to older children who are leaving Secondary school after a series of external examinations. Whatever next, a prom when they leave Pre-School???
for those of you unhappy with OFSTED get in touch with Dawlish Councillor Margaret Swift who is a member of OFSTED
A very interesting meeting tonight at Gatehouse School. It was great to hear from other parents who have a very good handle on what the issues are in the school. I hope the governers and teaching staff take on board some of the suggestions. The deputy head however did herself no favours and came across very arrogantly. I think I'll mark her as 'inadequate' as per the new Ofsted markings.
For those with children still at the school in the future couple of years I really do hope that things improve for you as the school they will and for those with children leaving in September fingers crossed that the schools they go to can pick up any areas needing improvement in their education quickly. Although I think we are about to be tested with the advent of the new style examinations.