Great Coates Primary School strives to leave Ofsted special measures
"EVERYONE at the school will do all they can to improve the current situation for the good of our pupils"
That was the message from Sue Hawke, headteacher at Great Coates Primary School, as she laid out plans to improve on Ofsted's 'inadequate' verdict of the school – which saw the Crosland Road site placed in special measures three months ago.
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ON A MISSION: Sue Hawke, head teacher of Great Coates Primary School, is determined to see the current special measures lifted. Picture: Michelle Adamson
As reported, schools which are judged to be failing by inspectors are placed into special measures – meaning that they receive regular monitoring visits until improvements are made.
In their latest report of the school, Ofsted found that the quality of teaching, learning and the progress of pupils at the school were not good enough. They also criticised the effectiveness of the monitoring of work being done.
In the report, inspectors stated that the school must "improve achievement and raise standards of attainment in writing and maths, ensure that leaders and managers take swift action to improve provision and ensure that the governing body monitors and evaluates the work of the school effectively."
Miss Hawke, who took over as headteacher in September 2009, eight months before the school was placed into Special Measures in May. said: "The school has never been satisfied with second best and we will appreciate the extra resources and help that this Ofsted category will bring.
"The staff and Governors are united in their resolve to work collaboratively with the Local Authority and school community to ensure a stronger outcome when inspectors return.
"There has been a lot of improvement since the inspection and we are looking forward to the next monitoring visit."
Read more about the plans for the future, and reaction, in today's Grimsby Telegraph.
6 Comments
by Chris, Grimsby
Thursday, July 29 2010, 3:37PM
“There is always more to these stories than meets the eye and more to them than parents see and hear.
A school can go from outstanding to poor in the space of a year through no fault of its own, just by losing teachers to promotion, retirement or maternity leave. Then it takes a long time to get good permanent replacements and settle them in.
I don't know what has happened to this school but I would bet it is something like that.”
by hahaha, grimsby
Thursday, July 29 2010, 1:12PM
“andy yes it does and u send your kids there lol very funny”
by AndyC, Grimsby
Thursday, July 29 2010, 11:50AM
“""SAYS IT ALL REALLY DONT IT !!!!!"" Yes it does. It speaks volumes. I could not put it better myself.”
by Mike Crookes, Lincolnshire
Thursday, July 29 2010, 11:22AM
“It never ceases to amaze me when people are surprised when their local school goes into special measures or receives a poor OFSTED report. We hear all their complaints and procrastinations, but never a solution. Well there is a solution! Become a School Governor and make a difference. These Schools need your help not your criticisms.”
by AndyC, Grimsby
Thursday, July 29 2010, 11:13AM
“I can't agree at all with the first comment below from "hahaha". I have children currently at the school, who wake up each day eager and happy to attend, both are progressing very well.
During the past 4 years we have only had one poor teacher, and in fairness to the school she was an NQT. For the past year we have been fortunate to have 2 very strong and capable teachers, and have the same again for the forthcoming academic year, giving stability and continuity.
In particular the reception team are exceptional, probably the biggest 'selling point' of the school, we consider them more as friends than teachers, finding them open, friendly and approachable, It makes me look forward to our younger children starting in the future.
There have been occasional disappointments, such as the loss of the out of school club, but we are mature enough to understand and accept these as necessity due to economics.
For a school serving an increasingly challenging area, I feel it functions well.”
by Anon, Grimsby
Thursday, July 29 2010, 11:00AM
“If Great Coates has gone into special measures then a lot of the other primary's in the area should worry. Having visited many schools through work this year Great Coates has been probably been one of the nicest. The pupils are polite, well behaved and appear to enjoy school and the staff are very welcoming and accommodating. If I'm correct, I don't remember them ever being near the bottom of the so called 'league tables' so how inadequate can teaching in the school be compared to schools who aren't meeting targets, its these schools ofsted need to go after.
I'm left wondering what on earth the local authority is doing to help our local schools, not just primary's but secondary's. We are seeing too many schools fall into measures and it needs to be stopped.”