A NUMBER of parents have expressed their disappointment at Ofsted’s recent condemnation of River Mead School.
The school received an ‘Inadequate’ rating in an inspection earlier this year; a criticism that has been rejected by parents of pupils at the school.
One mum Kat said, “I’m deeply distressed by the overall Ofsted report River Mead school received earlier this year.
“This school deserved a completely fresh report, and to be seen as a new school rather than Kings Park academy ‘reformed’. Both schools are completely different, despite being in the same building.
“The new head and teachers are exceptional. Every single one of them puts in 100% into making that school what it is today.
“My children and the majority of the younger children are above the national average, and this is due to the applications put forward in the seven months the school became River Mead.
“Ofsted should not have held the school responsible for the deprivation Kings Park caused; they are trying their hardest to rectify and reform the pupils’ education to get them to the standard that’s needed.
“To brand the school as ‘inadequate’ has not only damaged all the hard work the teachers have put in since September, but also brought shame onto us parents of the pupils.
“Education is the top priority in my house, as I’m sure it is in many. I chose this school specifically and I stand by my choice 100%; it’s a fantastic school.”
The report, published in March this year, noted big improvements made by The Mead Academy Trust since they took over, but said, “Pupils have not made enough progress and have fallen further behind since the school first became a sponsored academy in May 2013. Teachers do not have a secure grasp of what pupils already know and understand. As a result, they do not plan what pupils need to learn next carefully enough.”
Another mum, Kylie, who has three children currently at the school said, “The teaching as far as we are concerned is second to none. It’s fun and engaging and the children (mine at least) are happy to go to school, eager to learn and are thriving. The new management and headteacher are brilliant!
“Headteacher Nicki Henderson has had such a calming effect on the school environment, and the parents and children all like and respect her. People from all walks of life get along at the school, and we don’t see any bullying.
“What us parents want people to understand is that River Mead is not Kings Park and it’s not Lowbourne. It is a totally new school that happens to be in the building where the previous schools were.
“River Mead is a fantastic school which I am proud to send my children to. The last Ofsted report means nothing to us as it doesn’t fairly represent the school our children attend. I wouldn’t send my children to a school that I didn’t think was meeting and exceeding their needs.
“Since being taken over by The Mead Academy Trust, River Mead’s transformation has been amazing. No complaints from me!”
The full Ofsted report can be read at www.reports.ofsted.gov.uk
