Your views: Parents react to new regime at Park House School in Newbury
PARENTS have responded passionately to our report on a new regime at Park House School in Newbury.
Last week the Newbury Weekly News and Newburytoday.co.uk revealed how a new 'zero tolerance' policy bid to turn around the failing school had caused anger and upset among some parents.
In June, the 1,200-pupil school was put into 'special measures' following a damning Ofsted report.
The Greenshaw Learning Trust has since taken on responsibility for the school.
We asked for your views and below is a selection.
Names have been redacted so as to maintain pupils' anonymity.
HERE ARE THE VIEWS OF SOME WHO OPPOSE THE CHANGES
* IT'S becoming virtually impossible not to get a detention for some children.
The management of the school is refusing to understand parents are not happy with the current policies...if you ask parents, they all hate the new system; not one person likes it.
* I'VE a daughter who is a student there and she is an academic child who works hard in all of her classes.
She has received a detention for various silly reasons and I believe it’s going to be detrimental to a lot of the children...constant punishment affects their education more and causes extreme self esteem issues.
It’s like a prison.
* I'M bitterly disappointed with the changes at the school. Specifically for the sixth formers.
Instead of being given a more grown up experience that is expected with moving onto the next stage of education, they are experiencing a massive step backwards.
* GIVEN the age of these children this is not what they signed up to when they chose to study for their A Levels at this school.
Where is the opportunity for personal development and personal responsibility?
We aren't impressed and would hope that the school starts to listen to some of the complaints and maybe find a bit of a compromise.
* THE new trust appears to have gone completely overboard with regard to discipline and the way in which their draconian changes have been introduced.
Many young people, my son included, cannot cope with such a huge and rapid change and his first few weeks back at school have been a disaster for all concerned.
I'm aware that my son's situation will not be unique and we have already heard similar anecdotal experiences.
I share the concern of the many parents quoted in your article.
BELOW ARE SOME OF THE VIEWS IN FAVOUR OF THE CHANGES:
* I KNOW times and attitudes have changed but zero tolerance did us no harm...we were taught to behave and respect not just the strict teachers but our fellow pupils as well.
* THE school had serious issues they are trying to combat.
The head teacher told all of us that they were going to have to be strict at first while they overcame the extreme behaviour issues the school experienced that led to special measures being put in place.
They gave so so many instructions before school on what the expectation was going to be.
* VAPING was rife...truancy was off the scale and a police presence was required at the school way more than it should have been.
In general, the school had lost control and a significant portion of the pupils knew exactly how to take advantage.
These new rules are an essential step in rectifying that situation and we’ve already seen improvements...both the parents and children were made fully aware of all of the new rules.
* IT'S disappointing to see that you have chosen to be so sensationalist and one sided in your reporting.
Introducing change in any situation will have its challenges.
Having observed the attitude of many parents towards teachers, support staff and members of the public over the last few years I am not surprised that some students are struggling to adapt to a setting where clearly stated rules are being enforced.
The approach may not be popular, nor may everyone agree with it, but I believe that it is right that the school and Greenshaw Learning Trust are given the opportunity to demonstrate their approach works.
* THE alleged zero tolerance policy is part of the new trust’s core philosophy.
Everyone was disappointed with the Ofsted report brought about by the previous trust’s under-funding and under-resourcing – it was made to sound like the 'lawless wild west' but, in reality, most of the school functioned well with good behaviour, good GCSE and A level results, happy students and contented parents.
My son enjoys going to Park House and there are a lot more positive things going on than this small issue.
The new trust has an action plan to put the school back where it should be, so why don’t people let the professional educators get on with their work and think more carefully before complaining directly to the school, rather than everywhere else?
* ALL the children were given a grace period to sort out things such as the wrong pencil case.
Those who chose not to got a detention.
I imagine the children who had detentions are being 'economical with the truth' as to the reasons.
(My child) has reported that the rules are not onerous or prison-like and they are learning more this term already – you follow the school rules and everything is fine.
Friday is 'Fun Friday' where good behaviour is rewarded.
* CHILDREN are now turning up on time to school, look decent, are wearing the uniform correctly and representing their new school ethos appropriately.
Teachers are able to teach now and pupils are able to learn because disruptive children are no longer in their classrooms
Maybe if there were better values and less pandering at home, we might not see these extreme measures having to be implemented.
* Meanwhile the chief executive of the Greenshaw Learning Trust, Will Smith, has said: "Our expectation is that all students present themselves in line with school policies and Park House School offers support to all parents and students to do this.
"We have experience of successfully transforming schools, and believe the key to success is the creation of a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all our students.
"If any students or parents have any concerns they should contact the school directly."
