"sorry, Diese Schule Ist Zu Weiß"

[Khandro]

"Sorry,(sic) this school is too white." - that's the headline in a German paper, it relates to Ofsted's downgrading of a primary school in Lincolnshire on the grounds that there are too many white children among its pupils. The article says it is reported in the Telegraph, but I can't find a reference to it, has anyone else seen it?

[vetuste_ennemi]

"Inter school visits and similar are very rewarding and the children really enjoy them - I cannot see what harm that does.".
Nor can I, Mamyalynne. But what if a school chooses NOT to do that. How is this failing its pupils?

[Mamyalynne]

Well I wouldn't say they are failing but obviously OFSTED has some reason to think some more awareness would be good - therefore the report is honest as it stands and Parents will make their own choices based on that.


Some will think 'Great that is the school for my children' and nothing wrong with that.

My personal belief and this is based on my children and now grandchildren attending RC schools is that understanding what goes on around you and meeting many different sorts of people is beneficial and serves you well for moving on to High school/Uni and then the big wide world.


Of course not everyone will agree.

[vulcan42]

I'm not familiar with this visiting other schools so that the children can become more aware of cultural differences, I didn't visit and neither did my children. Is it fairly new and what does the visit entail? Is it necessary, after all I learnt about other countries the world over without leaving the classroom.

[Mamyalynne]

The visits are I think relatively new and I don't know how common they are - they can take many different forms from a pure social mixing to sharing a lesson or even an outing to a museum or similar.
Visits are reciprocated and in general the children get along very well.

By all means learn about other people from books but there is something much more personal when you meet someone.


Let's remember OFSTED have not condemned this school as a bad one - simply pointed out what they see as an opportunity missed (there is also reference to too easy and too hard work being given to children in the report too).

Then we come to the bigger picture of whether the reports amount to anything and many dismiss them as useless.

All down to one's own viewpoint.

[vetuste_ennemi]

"Of course not everyone will agree."
Are you suggesting that I don't share the values you advocate if I disagree with visits to inner-city schools and mosques being imposed on this school, Mamyalynne? Although this form of abuse is fairly standard on AB, I'm rather surprised hearing it from you. It's more the kind of thing Khandro would say.

[vulcan42]

Thanks Mamyalynne, similar I suppose to schools in Northern Ireland integrating on religious themes. Sounds good in theory but doesn't always work in practice unfortunately, it's certainly worth a try however.

[Mamyalynne]

Abuse??? What on earth are you reading??


It goes without saying we won't all agree on things - I am truly shocked at your accusation.

[anotheoldgit]

Mamyalynne

You may have a point, but why is it always one way, would they dare to down grade a school of mainly ethnic pupils, because they are not familiar with a typical English cultural differences?

[Mamyalynne]

You would need to check the OFSTED reports for Schools such as you mention.

[Old_Geezer]

It was not the only criteria the school was marked down on, but it is a very foolish criteria, and OFSTED deserve criticism for leveling it at any school.

[vetuste_ennemi]

I took your "some may disagree" remark to mean that if you're against school exchanges then you disagree with what they're designed to promote, Mamyalynne. If you meant only that there can be disagreement about the specific methods (or the need for them) to achieve worthy and agreed aims than I see no abuse, and apologise for shocking you.
,

[Mamyalynne]

Apology accepted.

[banksia]

The article is in the Daily Mail, 19th Nov. Spiegel online got wrong!

[jomifl]

Mrs. Jom who is an ex teacher, arranged cultural visits between schools. They didn't work as the cross cultural differences usually resulted in one group getting the sulks.

[Zeuhl]

/Would an inspection of a school in, say, Bradford or Luton, decree this school is too Asian. I rather suspect that the answer to that is no. /

Clearly the answer is yes

Several 'faith schools' have just been told they will be closed down if changes are not made quickly.

///Ofsted's chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw said the pupils' "physical and educational welfare is at serious risk" following a series of emergency inspections.

He said all the schools focused too heavily on Islamic teachings.

"All schools must prepare children for life in modern Britain."

At one school, inspectors found pupils did not know the difference between sharia and British law.//

[jno]

more facts, Zeuhl?

Away with you!

[Zeuhl]

^
cheers dive - graciously put

though why in this day and age we allow 'faith schools' of any description in the first place is another matter!
:-)

[vetuste_ennemi]

"though why in this day and age we allow 'faith schools' of any description in the first place is another matter!"
I don't know why this serious observation is accompanied by a smiley emoticon, Zeuhl. They are by definition divisive, if only in the geographical sense. That traditional "faith" schools (CoE, RC, Jewish) in GB haven't caused a wider social division (at least, any that I am aware of) is because of our tradition of religious tolerance. That tradition has developed only in comparatively recent times, say the last two hundred years.. And in some parts of the UK it's hardly even started. No point in agonizing over how much happier a society Northern Ireland might have been if, at least in their school years, the two religious communities had mingled freely.
The rise of the new faith schools (I feel another Blair *** coming on) includes the Christian creationists. So threat to scientific standards there. I would guess that ALL the Muslim faith schools teach creationism, and that biological evolution will be excluded from their curriculums. Does anyone know of exceptions to this?
Anyway, another headache for Ofsted.