When our children were mere babes, Colin and I started seriously considering schools. Actually, I'd already decided that we were to educate them privately (What else do you do in Dulwich with internationally renowned schools on your doorstep? Be real!) but I was keen to 'involve' my wonderful husband at every stage of their edcational journey.
To be honest, my state school experience as a practitioner sealed the decision for me long before the children came along. If I wished my children to grow up believing that crisps and Fanta are nutritional options for breakfast and that foul language (from parents as well as children) and fags in the playground is the norm, then a bog standard state primary it would have been. But no, my ambition and hopes for them circled much loftier heights despite the weighty consequences on the bank balance.
However, Colin had a slightly skewed tack on the notion of spending thousands of pounds to thrust our children towards society with clipped accents and roving eyes for designer labels when it could all be done for free, albeit with 'Sarf Lahndan' accents.
So, for a while, I decided to play the game and set about applying to state schools.
Despite being involved in the church, I avoided applying to the local all singing, all dancing local church school but aimed for the 'very good' state primary with the lovely new Headteacher (so I was told) and the other 'well meaning' school serving the local estate.
Enter 'Very Good State Primary School'. It went something like this ....As I entered the reception area, I was a little thrown by the distinctly pungent smell of urine and ventured along the corridor with adequately thrown up displays of children's work. I stood for a few moments, waiting for the admin lady (surely not the Head's PA wearing rubber flip flops and grubby skirt and top?) to acknowledge my presence. However, she made it very obvious that I was indeed disturbing her.
"Yes?" she uttered wearily still glued to her chair.
"I'd like to register my child for the nursery, if that's OK?"
" How old?"
At the time, Rosa was 2, with me and was being completely ignored by the Ms Muttonface.
"She's not guaranteed a place just because you register her early you know? If you just fill this out, we'll let you know when the Open Day is."
Justifyingly alarmed at her manner and wishing to meet the 'lovely new headteacher' , I enquired,
"Would it be possible for me to make an appointment to see the Head?" So that I could relay my first impartial impression of her newly acquired staff.
"No, you'll meet her on the Open Day. She doesn't meet new parents or show them around." No, not as long as you think you're ruling the roost, scattering potential new entrants back through the front entrance as quick as you could shout 'OFSTED'!.
"But surely, I can see someone of authority in advance of the Open Day - it might not be convenient for me on that day, whenever it is?"
"Try leaving a note for the Deputy Head - I'll pass the message on to her."
Needless to say, that I'm still waiting for that call and I've never discovered if the new Head would be the kind of person that I'd entrust my child's education to.
Enter 'Well Meaning School'. Having walked across the nursery playground (unchallenged) by the staff, I wound my way up the stairwell (also smelling of urine but this time with a hint of boiled cabbage) to the hovel known as the office. There I met a member of staff who failed to introduce herself and was new to the job. Pleasant woman but clueless and all alone without a competent colleague in sight. She kept apologising for not being able to find copies of anything I asked for, e.g application forms. It really wasn't looking good. I kept up the charade, exchanged numerous pleasantries and scuttled out clutching fodder for the recycling bag.
So, after that, I could smell the straw hats and stiff blazers at 20 paces.
Still, I won't give up just yet, there's always the Open Days.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Have you ever read http://tomisswithlove.blogspot.com/ ? No, perhaps you shouldn't!
I've just read the latest stats in The Times; apparently in our area 45% of kids are privately educated, but of the remaining 55% in state schools 37% of those qualify for free school lunches. It's either a feast or a famine here, it seems.
We always thought we would use state primary and private secondary, but having looked more closely, if we can swing it, it will be private all the way. The state options just aren't there in the state sector. And that's before you even start doing the maths with the 30 vs 15 class size debate. Gosh, I wonder where my child might learn more...?
Thanks for the visit, by the way!
Simply couldn't resist a sneaky peak which left me grappling for the smelling salts!
Potty Mummy, thanks for your comment. To answer your question, have you ever considered home educating...it's a thriving alternative and the most natural environment for a child to continue the successes of their early learning? Truly. We gave it serious consideration but ultimately weren't brave (or selfless) enough.
I have to say my daughter, who is autistic and very bright, attends a wonderful church of England first school in a village close by home and it's the best thing for her socially and acedemically. Such a shame we can't have schools like this one everywhere. We are now in the process of choosing her next school (middle school) which I'm not enjoying but nobody knows what will happen to her after that. Which means once she turns 13, if we still have the 3 tier system up here in Northumberland, there is every chance she will either have to attend a special school or a private one because the High schools are totally out of the question being overwhelmingly large. Thanks for visiting my blog today. See you soon.
Crystal xx
Dear Crystal, you do have an unenviable task ahead of you. However, her current school is obviously first rate and will, no doubt, support you and your daughter at every stage. Good Luck with everything you are striving for. BTW, love your blog!
Post a Comment