Asking your Child’s School the Difficult Questions

When I first began work as an education journalist several decades ago, schools were secretive places, convinced that they knew best and that parents should be kept firmly at the school gates.

Parents used to ring me up and say, for instance: “My son’s very interested in languages and I want to choose a school for him where there’s a strong language department. Can you find out for me whether the language department at my local secondary school is any good?” The answer was that it was very difficult. There were no published results of examination results and no statistics to show how much progress pupils made when they were taught by different teachers. The views of other parents - not always reliable - were often the only source of information about how well a school was doing.

Yet what goes on in classrooms is of huge importance to parents and now, thankfully, the education landscape looks very different. Performance tables showing how well schools do academically are available for all primary and secondary schools. Parents can find out not just the raw results for tests and examinations but also how much progress a school’s pupils make from the time they enter to the time that they leave and how the results compare with those of similar schools.

SO WHAT ARE THE QUESTIONS PARENTS SHOULD FEEL CONFIDENT TO ASK THEIR CHILD’S SCHOOL?

Teacher quality

Educational research shows that, after home, teachers are the single most important factor affecting pupils’ progress in school. So parents should never be afraid to ask why their child is doing less well or is less enthusiastic about their work under a different teacher. Or to find out why their child says, in maths for instance, that they can’t understand the teacher’s explanations.

Comparisons

Schools that have specialist teachers for different subjects (including secondary schools and some primary) will be looking at the performance of their teachers annually and will know whether the history department is performing better than the maths department and whether children are making more progress in one than in another. Parents shouldn’t be afraid to ask where the weak links in a school are.

Relationships matter

Any parent whose child complains of bullying should go straight into school and ask what is happening and what is being done about it. And if the bullying continues they should keep pressing for the school to take action.

Good discipline

By Judith Judd

It’s hard to learn if you are surrounded by noise and disruption and one of the research studies in our book suggests that better discipline helps to improve children’s progress in maths. So parents are right to ask questions if a child reports that a teacher shouts or that classes or school corridors are unruly.

You know your child

Finally, it’s fine to query any decision that a school makes that doesn’t fit with your child. You know your child best. One example is of children who are put in the wrong set and do less well because their teachers expect less of them. But it could apply to any area, perhaps lack of help for a child who’s struggling or an incorrect “label.” The school may think a child is badly behaved when they are simply bored. Most of us find asking difficult questions of our child’s school difficult. Will teachers resent the complaint and therefore the child? But good schools take reasonable complaints in their stride. They may even find them helpful in dealing with under performing staff or disruptive pupils. Most parents and teachers want the best for the children in their care and it makes sense to work together to achieve that.

Heritage School

Heritage is a coeducational day school for boys and girls ages 4-16. Our view of every child as a person, equal in dignity and value to any other, is anchored in the Christian tradition. Our small classes and our relatively small size as a whole mean every individual is noticed, every child belongs. With our expansive curriculum, we seek to nurture the flame of curiosity and develop a confidence which translates into all areas of life. Leaning against the distractions of our digital age, we offer plenty of opportunities for children to get out and enjoy nature, read whole books, engage in conversation and experience the real world. Our vision is of pupils leaving Heritage as life-long learners, motivated to live well, confident in themselves, skilfully and creatively engaged with ideas, with others, and with the world around them. www.heritageschool.org.uk 01223 350615 admissions@heritageschool.org.uk

St Mary's School

St Mary’s School is the leading independent day and boarding school for girls aged three to eighteen in Cambridge. Recently shortlisted for ‘Independent Girls’ School of the Year’, a St Mary’s education is about discovering and pursuing individual talents with confidence and drive, inspiring girls to become great women – creative, agile, resilient learners, ready to make their mark in the world and overcoming gender stereotypes.

As a faith-based school, courage, respect, compassion, and integrity are part of everyday life. This creates a supportive community, where happiness and wellbeing are a priority, and each girl knows her voice will be heard and valued.

Whilst academic results open doors for our girls, it is their self-belief, persistence and drive that keeps the door open.

With new state-of-the-art sport facilities, boathouse on the River Cam, a Junior School STEM lab, and a brand-new Preschool, now is a great time for your daughter to join us.

Discover more: stmaryscambridge.co.uk/visit 01223 224 177

Upcoming event: Saturday, 18 March 2023 10:00-12:00

Cambridge International School

We are a thriving international school for 2 – 11 year olds and a welcoming community of children, parents and staff from the local area and overseas. We focus on pupil well-being and ensure that the children are learning in an unpressurised environment with a focus on them becoming confident, happy, resilient individuals. We have small class sizes (maximum of 16) and have experience in teaching children from different language and cultural backgrounds. Each child has individualised targets to ensure that they are learning, aspiring and fulfilling their own academic potential.

We make full use of our surrounding environment in Cherry Hinton Park and put an emphasis on learning through being in the outdoors. We are also open to innovative approaches and are accepting students who would like to learn with us on a flexible basis.

For further information please contact admissions@cischool.co.uk 01223 416938

Open morning: Saturday 13th May 10-12pm

Wisbech Grammar School

Our educational approach is based on allowing our pupils to ‘discover who they are’ and this is achieved through a combination of individualised academic and pastoral care, and a timetable that allows children to discover and explore their passions and challenge themselves beyond the confines of the classroom through an exciting programme of foreign languages, sport, science, music and forest school to name but a few. Our class sizes are small and our teachers are passionate about ensuring every child is happy and reaches their full potential. As children progress, they get to take part in music and drama lessons, food and nutrition, more team sport, art and textiles and science lessons in our Senior School laboratories along with many other opportunities.

Early Years Open Morning:18th March at 9:30 - 11am

To find out get in touch on 01945 586750 or admissions@wisbechgrammar.com