Another Basildon primary school goes into special measures

9:00am Sunday 28th October 2012 in News By Melissa Hills

Another Basildon primary school goes into special measures Another Basildon primary school goes into special measures

CONCERNS have been raised by education chiefs about the state of primary schools in Basildon after another one has ended up in special measures.

Phoenix Primary School in Laindon was placed into the category by Ofsted after its latest report, taking the total of schools in special measures up to six in Basildon.

The Department for Education has warned under performance must be tackled as quickly as possible and bringing in a mult-academy sponsor is a possible solution.

Essex County Council is in the early stages of looking at what a sponsor could do to help Basildon schools and is due to feedback to headteachers in the coming weeks.

A DFE spokesman said: “Academy sponsors are proven to work. They have a track record of turning round struggling schools across the country and are improving their results at twice the national average rate.

“We must root out under performance wherever we find it and drive up standards so that all pupils reach their potential.”

Cherrytree Primary, in Church Road, St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, in Elsenham Crescent, the Basildon Academies in Wickford Avenue and Timberlog Close, The Willows Primary in Church Road, and Briscoe Primary and Nursery School in Felmores End, Pitsea are now all in special measures.

Ofsted inspectors said reading, writing and maths levels were too low and that pupils’ writing skills were weak.

It was also critical of the standard of teaching and said tracking of pupils’ achievement was not coherent.

However it was praising of the new headteacher Tracy Ahern who took over in September 2011 when the school was on a notice to improve.

The report added: “Since the previous report, the new headteacher has tackled a legacy of underachievement and created a new vision for the school. She has driven improvements to pupils’ behaviour, attendance and made a number of new appointments to strengthen teaching, leadership and management.

“Stronger links are being made with parents and carers through regular consultation and a range of iniatives to attract them to the school. However, senior leaders and governors acknowledge that more time is needed before these changes deliver sustained development to pupils’ achievement.”

John Dornan, ward councillor for Laindon Park, said: “I am disappointed with the news. Ofsted has toughened up its way of inspecting and they have raised the bar.

“It is not acceptable that Basildon children be left behind and I hope that everyone will get behind the school and headteacher and help them get up to a good standard.”

Stephen Castle, councillor with responsibility for education at Essex County Council added: “I am disappointed to learn that Phoenix Primary school is now in special measures.

“We are actively working with the school and the governing body to work on the immediate and long term issues the school is looking to improve and to action the recommendations made by Ofsted.

“Improving school standards is of utmost concern to me. We recently had a conference with schools in Basildon to discuss ensuring children in Basildon are receiving the highest standard of education.

“We are continuing to work with teachers, colleagues from the Borough Council and the Department of Education to discuss possible opportunities to raise standards quickly and appropriately."

Mrs Ahern was not available for comment when the Echo went to press.

Comments (17)

9:33am Sun 28 Oct 12

caroljb says...

There are 2 issues here. Firstly Ofsted "raising the bar" so more schools "fail" - and secondly, whenever I go to Basildon, I see parents letting their children do exactly what they want, behaviour is an issue. I see parents swearing at really young children, who in turn think its acceptable to swear at teachers and other class mates.
Parents nationally, no longer read with their children, teach them how to write, teach them right from wrong. They leave it all up to the schools.

Do not automatically blame schools, Ofsted and parents must take the blame too.
There are 2 issues here. Firstly Ofsted "raising the bar" so more schools "fail" - and secondly, whenever I go to Basildon, I see parents letting their children do exactly what they want, behaviour is an issue. I see parents swearing at really young children, who in turn think its acceptable to swear at teachers and other class mates. Parents nationally, no longer read with their children, teach them how to write, teach them right from wrong. They leave it all up to the schools. Do not automatically blame schools, Ofsted and parents must take the blame too. caroljb

10:02am Sun 28 Oct 12

APR says...

I agree, far too many parents absolve themselves of any responsibility, as to their child's behaviour.
It would be interesting to know the percentage of children at primary school age, who come from single parent families .
I agree, far too many parents absolve themselves of any responsibility, as to their child's behaviour. It would be interesting to know the percentage of children at primary school age, who come from single parent families . APR

10:28am Sun 28 Oct 12

maddriver says...

This report is nothing to do with childrens' behaviour, it's about academic standards. Ofsted may be taking a stronger line, but the responsibility for meeting requirements lies with the school alone. Whatever percentage of children come from single parent homes or their behaviour out of school is not relevant.
This report is nothing to do with childrens' behaviour, it's about academic standards. Ofsted may be taking a stronger line, but the responsibility for meeting requirements lies with the school alone. Whatever percentage of children come from single parent homes or their behaviour out of school is not relevant. maddriver

11:28am Sun 28 Oct 12

Basildon.lad.21 says...

The future generation is looking bright.
The future generation is looking bright. Basildon.lad.21

1:32pm Sun 28 Oct 12

Eric Whim says...

what makes all these schools in Basildon fail to reach a decent standard so regularly?

They can't ALL be staffed with inadequate teachers. The attitude and behaviour of the semi ferals attending them must have something to do with it.
what makes all these schools in Basildon fail to reach a decent standard so regularly? They can't ALL be staffed with inadequate teachers. The attitude and behaviour of the semi ferals attending them must have something to do with it. Eric Whim

2:21pm Sun 28 Oct 12

Altravista says...

Schools can't do anything with children who don't attend or whose behaviour is poor when they do attend. I agree with Eric Whim, not all the teachers can be inadequate. So it's up to parents to get their children to school on time and ready to learn, then standards will go up.
Schools can't do anything with children who don't attend or whose behaviour is poor when they do attend. I agree with Eric Whim, not all the teachers can be inadequate. So it's up to parents to get their children to school on time and ready to learn, then standards will go up. Altravista

2:44pm Sun 28 Oct 12

asbo industries inc says...

Eric Whim wrote:
what makes all these schools in Basildon fail to reach a decent standard so regularly?

They can't ALL be staffed with inadequate teachers. The attitude and behaviour of the semi ferals attending them must have something to do with it.
semi?
[quote][p][bold]Eric Whim[/bold] wrote: what makes all these schools in Basildon fail to reach a decent standard so regularly? They can't ALL be staffed with inadequate teachers. The attitude and behaviour of the semi ferals attending them must have something to do with it.[/p][/quote]semi? asbo industries inc

6:03pm Sun 28 Oct 12

APR says...

maddriver wrote:
This report is nothing to do with childrens' behaviour, it's about academic standards. Ofsted may be taking a stronger line, but the responsibility for meeting requirements lies with the school alone. Whatever percentage of children come from single parent homes or their behaviour out of school is not relevant.
It has everything to do with children's behaviour. If a child hasn't been taught a decent level of behaviour at home, what chance have the teachers got ?
[quote][p][bold]maddriver[/bold] wrote: This report is nothing to do with childrens' behaviour, it's about academic standards. Ofsted may be taking a stronger line, but the responsibility for meeting requirements lies with the school alone. Whatever percentage of children come from single parent homes or their behaviour out of school is not relevant.[/p][/quote]It has everything to do with children's behaviour. If a child hasn't been taught a decent level of behaviour at home, what chance have the teachers got ? APR

8:10pm Sun 28 Oct 12

v.randy says...

Message to all tax payers just get ready with your hard earned money to support the basildon underclass from craddle to grave.
Poor teachers ,scummy parents,vile kids..end of the day the horse has bolted just get ready for the next generation in about 5 years,assuming that is, that these 10 year olds can wait that long before banging out some more underclass..shocking
!!!!!!!!!!!
Message to all tax payers just get ready with your hard earned money to support the basildon underclass from craddle to grave. Poor teachers ,scummy parents,vile kids..end of the day the horse has bolted just get ready for the next generation in about 5 years,assuming that is, that these 10 year olds can wait that long before banging out some more underclass..shocking !!!!!!!!!!! v.randy

8:59pm Sun 28 Oct 12

Almeda11 says...

maddriver wrote:
This report is nothing to do with childrens' behaviour, it's about academic standards. Ofsted may be taking a stronger line, but the responsibility for meeting requirements lies with the school alone. Whatever percentage of children come from single parent homes or their behaviour out of school is not relevant.
They are inter-related. lf a child comes from the sort of family quoted earlier by Carol, where so called " parents" are swearing at tiny children in the street, then you don`t need much of an imagination to guess what goes on behind closed doors, and this affects their emotional development, which in turn can lead to behaviour problems, , which will affect their ability to learn.

And the article also mentions behaviour, as in this quote"

However it was praising of the new headteacher Tracy Ahern who took over in September 2011 when the school was on a notice to improve.

The report added: “Since the previous report, the new headteacher has tackled a legacy of underachievement and created a new vision for the school. She has driven improvements to pupils’ behaviour, attendance and made a number of new appointments to strengthen teaching, leadership and management"
And the report went on to say that they had established stronger links with parents and carers, which is a good thing in my opinion, more problems are caused by lack of communication than by anything else.
[quote][p][bold]maddriver[/bold] wrote: This report is nothing to do with childrens' behaviour, it's about academic standards. Ofsted may be taking a stronger line, but the responsibility for meeting requirements lies with the school alone. Whatever percentage of children come from single parent homes or their behaviour out of school is not relevant.[/p][/quote]They are inter-related. lf a child comes from the sort of family quoted earlier by Carol, where so called " parents" are swearing at tiny children in the street, then you don`t need much of an imagination to guess what goes on behind closed doors, and this affects their emotional development, which in turn can lead to behaviour problems, , which will affect their ability to learn. And the article also mentions behaviour, as in this quote" However it was praising of the new headteacher Tracy Ahern who took over in September 2011 when the school was on a notice to improve. The report added: “Since the previous report, the new headteacher has tackled a legacy of underachievement and created a new vision for the school. She has driven improvements to pupils’ behaviour, attendance and made a number of new appointments to strengthen teaching, leadership and management" And the report went on to say that they had established stronger links with parents and carers, which is a good thing in my opinion, more problems are caused by lack of communication than by anything else. Almeda11

11:23pm Sun 28 Oct 12

Steve H says...

Looking at the location of this school one can make the assumption that the children attending it are feral. How on earth are teachers, no matter how gifted, supposed to teach kids who are the offspring of total scum.
Looking at the location of this school one can make the assumption that the children attending it are feral. How on earth are teachers, no matter how gifted, supposed to teach kids who are the offspring of total scum. Steve H

11:57pm Sun 28 Oct 12

Nebs says...

When a child gets a second detention in a term for bad behaviour, make the detention take place on a Saturday morning accompanied by a parent.
When a child gets a second detention in a term for bad behaviour, make the detention take place on a Saturday morning accompanied by a parent. Nebs

9:04am Mon 29 Oct 12

PJR-121 says...

Steve H wrote:
Looking at the location of this school one can make the assumption that the children attending it are feral. How on earth are teachers, no matter how gifted, supposed to teach kids who are the offspring of total scum.
On what basis (factual please) would you make that assumption?

Are you tarring everyone from that area with the same brush, including the ones who don't go to that school, and who are doing extremely well in one of the top primary schools in the county (also in Basildon)?
[quote][p][bold]Steve H[/bold] wrote: Looking at the location of this school one can make the assumption that the children attending it are feral. How on earth are teachers, no matter how gifted, supposed to teach kids who are the offspring of total scum.[/p][/quote]On what basis (factual please) would you make that assumption? Are you tarring everyone from that area with the same brush, including the ones who don't go to that school, and who are doing extremely well in one of the top primary schools in the county (also in Basildon)? PJR-121

6:07pm Mon 29 Oct 12

woodyroz says...

Steve H how dare you brand the children attending this school "feral" and "offspring of scum". My child attends this school and has done for 5 years, both my husband (yes i am married!) and i both work full time, we support our sons education 100%, he reads to us, we sit with him and help him with his homework , we attend parents evening to be told that our son is very bright very enthusiastic about learning. yes i agree there are parents out there who do not give a **** about there kids education but i do! oh and v.randy its " cradle to grave" not craddle!
Steve H how dare you brand the children attending this school "feral" and "offspring of scum". My child attends this school and has done for 5 years, both my husband (yes i am married!) and i both work full time, we support our sons education 100%, he reads to us, we sit with him and help him with his homework , we attend parents evening to be told that our son is very bright very enthusiastic about learning. yes i agree there are parents out there who do not give a **** about there kids education but i do! oh and v.randy its " cradle to grave" not craddle! woodyroz

7:46am Tue 30 Oct 12

Horace Wimpole says...

Whatever percentage of children come from single parent homes or their behaviour out of school is not relevant.


Nonsense. Of course a child's home-life affects how they behave and perform at school.

Society's dogged persistence in ****-footing around this issue directly contributes to the number of schools in special measures.
[quote]Whatever percentage of children come from single parent homes or their behaviour out of school is not relevant.[/quote] Nonsense. Of course a child's home-life affects how they behave and perform at school. Society's dogged persistence in ****-footing around this issue directly contributes to the number of schools in special measures. Horace Wimpole

1:54pm Tue 30 Oct 12

Olivia2847 says...

Call in Dr Fox!
Call in Dr Fox! Olivia2847

11:01pm Tue 30 Oct 12

Trainman says...

Is this school in LAINDON, OR Boring Basildon? It CAN'T be in two places at once.
Is this school in LAINDON, OR Boring Basildon? It CAN'T be in two places at once. Trainman

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