| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re::Re:Other local secondaries - C | |
| Posted by: | Paul Cavanagh | |
| Date/Time: | 04/11/05 09:28:00 |
| Tom, whilst much of what you say makes absolute sense I do disagree with your contention that the broader geographic intake is a positive. I don't think this used to be the case and the school needs to spread its net wider because it has lost the confidence of a significant section of the local community. Its results are currently below average but as you point out this coincides with some examples of high levels of excellence from individual pupils. The question is really, is this excellence at the top end of the school the residual legacy of Dame Helen Metcalf. It may be unfair to describe the school as a 'train-wreck' but that is the perception of a large section of the local community and it needs to be tackled. You can argue that the league tables are pernicious and unrepresentative but many do take them at face value. The school needs to win hearts and minds in the local community. I think it has been poor in highlighting its achievements and the attention of the press has generally been on problems such as bullying as opposed to more postive stuff. Better behaviour on local transport would also be a huge plus in terms of image. You may argue that a larger intake from W4 would make the school less 'inclusive'. Having been to a school myself that would fit this description I am dubious about the benefits it gives to a child. I'm always amazed by the number of parents who think it is wonderful for their children to mix with children from deprived backgrounds when they themselves have an exclusively middle class circle of friends. The danger in aiming to be too inclusive at one end of the social scale is that you end up excluding the other end and losing potentially the most motivated parents and most talented students. |