Ecclesfield School - Ofsted - Inadequate/Special Measures

I don't agree, they take it to extremes with the uniform, they even measure kids trouser widths at the gates & send them home if they are an inch too narrow...

where's the anarchy in wearing slightly narrower trousers than their daft specified limit?

it's hardly a nose piercing & Mohican, I take your point about kids following rules, but I also think teachers should lead by example, so if the kids have to adhere to these rules, shouldn't the teachers?

I don't agree, they take it to extremes with the uniform, they even measure kids trouser widths at the gates & send them home if they are an inch too narrow...

 

where's the anarchy in wearing slightly narrower trousers than their daft specified limit?

 

it's hardly a nose piercing & Mohican, I take your point about kids following rules, but I also think teachers should lead by example, so if the kids have to adhere to these rules, shouldn't the teachers?

No, the teachers are in charge. They tell the kids what to do, not the other way round. It seems harsh and a bit daft, but that's the way it is. Teachers have earned that right, the kids haven't.

Lots of kids kick against uniform conformity, I know I did when I was at school and it was a lot tougher then than it is nowadays. But that's kids. It's a parents duty to send their kids to school in uniform and stand shoulder to shoulder with the grown-ups and support the teachers, then if the kid chooses to rebel (and they probably will,) the kid has to take responsibility for it, and suffer the consequences. And when they whinge to their parents, the parents can point out that that's what happens when they break rules.

They learn to chose their fights, and only fight the ones worth winning.

No, the teachers are in charge. They tell the kids what to do, not the other way round. It seems harsh and a bit daft, but that's the way it is. Teachers have earned that right, the kids haven't.

 

Lots of kids kick against uniform conformity, I know I did when I was at school and it was a lot tougher then than it is nowadays. But that's kids. It's a parents duty to send their kids to school in uniform and stand shoulder to shoulder with the grown-ups and support the teachers, then if the kid chooses to rebel (and they probably will,) the kid has to take responsibility for it, and suffer the consequences. And when they whinge to their parents, the parents can point out that that's what happens when they break rules.

 

They learn to chose their fights, and only fight the ones worth winning.

When I went to Ecclesfield School many moons ago now, we had quite a relaxed uniform back then (polo shirt, jumper, black trousers/skirt.... No specific measurements!). One of our teachers, Mr Connolly (History teacher) used to wear it too. He said if we were made to wear it then he thought the teachers should lead by example and wear it too. He was a favourite teacher for many of us, connected with the kids and got the best out of us all.

no they don't, I work in a school and we get to know ages before

https://educationinspection.blog.gov.uk/2015/12/16/short-inspections-10-things-you-need-to-know/

OK so I don't normally do this on social media but I'm proper stressed I took Nathan out of Ecclesfield school to home ed but he didn't like it and begged me to get him back in school. Since then it's a roller coaster of one thing after another. Constant letters home about his behaviour iv been in had a meeting clearly there's some issues that no one can or wants to get to the bottom off which is why it pulled him out before iv enquired about additional support but had NO REPLY .

 

I think He's made himself I'll for 3 days maybe cause there's something wrong.

 

So today he's just spent his 3rd day in ewr (isolation) THAT'S 15 LESSONS he's MISSED iv rang today twice to ask to put him back in lessons or send him home again NO REPLY

 

Funny though at around 430 I got a missed call saying they were excluding him for 1 day for not staying after school till 4 for (slt detention )they ring me for that though. I don't know what else to do or say anymore I know he's no saint I agree in punishment but for God sake HELP THE CHILDREN . Spend less time on wrong shoes, 2 earrings, a chain etc more on the child's mental state or am i just a bad parent.

Looks like you've raised a wrong un' tbh.

Hardlines.

Just to let people know I am not the sort of parent who chucks there kid into school and thinks that's it your problem, for the past 2 years iv been back and forth but when you've asked several times for help its frustrating they promised a few weeks of 1 to 1 (didn't happen) counselling (didn't happen) a SEN review (didn't happen) I think I have been patient enough.

I don't agree Anna B

the teachers may work at the school, but they certainly haven't earned any right to be dictating to kids in this manner... behaviour in school, knuckling down to lessons & doing homework yes, but not when it comes to measuring trouser hems!

end of the day, the trousers have been bought by the parents... and I'm pretty certain most parents wouldn't go to the trouble of measuring trousers to see if they are 'acceptable', even if the child said they wouldn't be acceptable

rules on uniform should be basic guidelines not 100% cast in stone, word from the almighty laws

the school is always banging on about being all for the kids, and treating each child as an individual...

well this is one area they seem to be badly lacking, the fact is each child is different and sees small things very differently, such as how baggy their uniform is...

to continue with my earlier example, a tall, thin child who might already be anxious about their build, forced into wearing standard issue, measured to the millimetre trousers, might feel like they are wearing their dad's trousers, flapping in the breeze... whereas more average sized kids probably won't... this is going to highten the child's already anxious state and further alienate them, knocking even more lumps off their self confidence

a school cannot possibly state that it encourages student's confidence when it clearly doesn't cater for imperfect kids

I don't agree Anna B

 

the teachers may work at the school, but they certainly haven't earned any right to be dictating to kids in this manner... behaviour in school, knuckling down to lessons & doing homework yes, but not when it comes to measuring trouser hems!

end of the day, the trousers have been bought by the parents... and I'm pretty certain most parents wouldn't go to the trouble of measuring trousers to see if they are 'acceptable', even if the child said they wouldn't be acceptable

 

rules on uniform should be basic guidelines not 100% cast in stone, word from the almighty laws

 

the school is always banging on about being all for the kids, and treating each child as an individual...

 

well this is one area they seem to be badly lacking, the fact is each child is different and sees small things very differently, such as how baggy their uniform is...

 

to continue with my earlier example, a tall, thin child who might already be anxious about their build, forced into wearing standard issue, measured to the millimetre trousers, might feel like they are wearing their dad's trousers, flapping in the breeze... whereas more average sized kids probably won't... this is going to highten the child's already anxious state and further alienate them, knocking even more lumps off their self confidence

 

a school cannot possibly state that it encourages student's confidence when it clearly doesn't cater for imperfect kids

I think the new Ecclesfield uniform looks great and is a huge improvement on the old one. I'm assuming the problem with trouser width is the current fashion for drainpipe trousers, which are not seen as acceptable. I would have thought the only one's that are measured are the ones that look too slim / tight, and probably are.

When I was at school skirt length was measured by kneeling on the floor (bottom of the skirt had to touch the floor.) Didn't stop us turning it over at the waistband to shorten it when we thought we could get away with it. The uniform also had to be bought from a specialist shop so was ridiculously expensive for my poor parents, and included things like a science overall (which we never wore,) and an extensive sports kit for different sports and all weathers. We were not allowed to wear stockings or tights and had to wear ankle socks in summer! Even our pants had to be regulation, maroon wool articles we called plum bums that turned everything in the wash pink. Try that for diminishing confidence...

Top man, Mr Connelly! One of a kind and an exceptional teacher. My kids loved him.

Lots of kids kick against uniform conformity, I know I did when I was at school and it was a lot tougher then than it is nowadays. But that's kids. It's a parents duty to send their kids to school in uniform and stand shoulder to shoulder with the grown-ups and support the teachers, then if the kid chooses to rebel (and they probably will,) the kid has to take responsibility for it, and suffer the consequences. And when they whinge to their parents, the parents can point out that that's what happens when they break rules.

Its not very often I agree with you Anna, but you are spot on correct with this one.

But its not just the kids, the parents are to blame as they buy the uniform. They often try and cut corners by buying something cheaper, which doesn't match the school's uniform policy.

But rather than admit they're wrong they just bleat to all and sundry - particularly the local rag.

Have a look at this lot. They've surpassed themselves this year in the huge number of "rebels":

https://apiln.co.uk/?s=home+you+go

And teacher hate having to waste time doing it. They must spend 20 minutes at the start of each day correcting uniform issues - make up, painted nails, earrings.

Either the kids are going to school from home like that, or they're doing it on the way to school after leaving home.

Either way its an issue that the parents need to tackle.

I think the new Ecclesfield uniform looks great and is a huge improvement on the old one. I'm assuming the problem with trouser width is the current fashion for drainpipe trousers, which are not seen as acceptable. I would have thought the only one's that are measured are the ones that look too slim / tight, and probably are.

 

When I was at school skirt length was measured by kneeling on the floor (bottom of the skirt had to touch the floor.) Didn't stop us turning it over at the waistband to shorten it when we thought we could get away with it. The uniform also had to be bought from a specialist shop so was ridiculously expensive for my poor parents, and included things like a science overall (which we never wore,) and an extensive sports kit for different sports and all weathers. We were not allowed to wear stockings or tights and had to wear ankle socks in summer! Even our pants had to be regulation, maroon wool articles we called plum bums that turned everything in the wash pink. Try that for diminishing confidence...

 

Top man, Mr Connelly! One of a kind and an exceptional teacher. My kids loved him.

Ha ha... plum bums... I had to laugh at that... I'm trying to eat my dinner here!

I guess it would only ever diminish an individuals confidence if they were actually exposing their backside though!

---------- Post added 18-10-2017 at 12:27 ----------

also, just to clarify...

2 of my 3 kids currently attend Ecclesfield, and despite the occasional grumble, they enjoy going & are doing very well

similarly they both adhere to the uniform code implicitly, encouraged (enforced?) by my wife and I

I would never use any of my kids as weapons or tools to get my own personal grievance across... I would much rather have the discussion face to face with those imposing the rules... and perhaps I'd be a little more likely to listen to if it wasn't like talking to a brick wall with a bad suit on!

The fact of the matter is I do not like the current uniform, I hate the idea they've got to wear a tie, which in itself is an outdated institution that is no longer necessary, required or expected in most modern business settings (there are a few exceptions I'll admit),

and the petty 'vigilance' of the entrance gate checks, it's like entering North Korea where you are only allowed one of eight different hair styles!

Ha ha... plum bums... I had to laugh at that... I'm trying to eat my dinner here!

 

I guess it would only ever diminish an individuals confidence if they were actually exposing their backside though!

 

---------- Post added 18-10-2017 at 12:27 ----------

 

also, just to clarify...

 

2 of my 3 kids currently attend Ecclesfield, and despite the occasional grumble, they enjoy going & are doing very well

 

similarly they both adhere to the uniform code implicitly, encouraged (enforced?) by my wife and I

 

I would never use any of my kids as weapons or tools to get my own personal grievance across... I would much rather have the discussion face to face with those imposing the rules... and perhaps I'd be a little more likely to listen to if it wasn't like talking to a brick wall with a bad suit on!

 

The fact of the matter is I do not like the current uniform, I hate the idea they've got to wear a tie, which in itself is an outdated institution that is no longer necessary, required or expected in most modern business settings (there are a few exceptions I'll admit),

and the petty 'vigilance' of the entrance gate checks, it's like entering North Korea where you are only allowed one of eight different hair styles!

Fair enough. Personally, I didn't like the old one, which was the one my kids had to wear. Sloppy, prone to fading, and so gloomy looking, but that's just a matter of personal taste.

I have no experience of the current situation from a personal view so I can't comment, but I bet the teachers are pretty fed up as well, having to waste time enforcing it.

I guess it's all part of the measures to improve the school which got a real hammering by OFSTED. I understand behaviour was part of the problem, and insisting on strict adherence to uniform is just the start of getting the kids to respect school rules whether they agree with them or not. It shows who is in charge, and will translate into the classroom. I'm sure all parents want their children to be in a productive working environment rather than one plagued by 'low level disruption.'

It's proven to work.

no I agree with you on that, the old uniform wasn't great either, but at least there was flexibility

with the new regime they have to wear their tie and jumper (and it's quite a heavy knit jumper) until the headmaster says you can remove them... not great in heat-wave conditions, when you consider the teachers turn up wearing whatever they want

not an ideal way to gain respect, more a throwback to Victorian "do as I say" values