Silkstone Primary School

Agree to some extent with other comments. This was a good school a few years ago, but is now significantly different, for the worse. A change of head has lead to very poor leadership, with the head sucking the soul out of "the school with soul". Head is data mad, caring only about tick boxes, ofstead and sats and lacks common sense and the ability to think on her feet. She has removed golden time, is considering only two breaks a day (highly inappropriate at primary, if you knew anything about child development and how we learn) and one year, children weren't even invited to dress up for world book day. Yet, when miraculously upgraded by ofstead, kids were allowed a "celebration of ofstead day". Nothing is done for year 6 leavers, unlike other schools who put on proms etc. Trips were stopped that supported the local community cinema. She removed the "buddy benches" only to reinstate them. Events like sports day, lack enthusiasm and everything just seems an afterthought or going through the motions. No joy or genuine celebration. The former head believed in investing in people, not things and really encouraged and nutured kids and seemed to like them and encourage them.
The head as good as outed the best member of staff there (probably because she felt threatened rather than the cost cutting we were meant to believe) and has lost other good teachers since coming into post. The school also allows teacher bias, as picked up in "celebration assembly'. A couple of the teachers prefer girls and children that have weaker personalities and of course those governor/pta kids.
The school deals really poorly with challenging behaviours. They also do not spot red flags in children with mental health issues and behavioural issues, especially children of pta/governors. And there is the thing I agree with the most - The school IS run by pta and a self important governor (s). The head is too influenced by governors who were well known to show her what's app group messages in parents groups (which of course is a conflict of interest). It was apparent that some, not all, governor/pta kids had issues, but these put aside because of 'who' their parents were.
Children are not safe here with a number of stories from not ringing parents when children have breaks or injuries, to children escaping.
Covid was an absolute sham, with the head sending a constant stream of threatening letters about access to keyworker club, which she felt oversubscribed, yet happily allowing/prioritising parent teachers "working from home" slots, even though there were more eligible critical, not essential, workers. Some parents were in tears with the constant hassle she gave parents, yet a school about 2 miles away insisted children of keyworkers sent their children everyday, even on parents days off, to do her bit to support the pandemic. And of course, the parents who took on jobs just to abuse keyworker club that the head did not have the backbone to approach. Work given out in the lockdowns, in comparison to other schools was dire. Lazy effort. The head does not seem to comprehend parents have parent friends across the borough so got to hear what other schools were doing!
And then of course, be prepared to be pestered when sats week is on, if your child is ill. You will be hassled to bring your child regardless. A total lack of priorities will be apparent and a lack of concern for the child, over data.
So a school run by locals with an elitist attitude and a head who is propping up her pension and that's about it. Such a shame. It was a good school. Now it's not. And don't even mention the awful school meals that children have been complaining about for years but the head can't seem to do anything about!!

Too many parents ruling the roost and not enough teachers listening to curriculum.

From what I can see, the headteacher is being controlled by the parants. Facebook groups and WhatsApp groups set up to plan who can and can't teach the kids what the national curriculum suggests all run by "stay at home parants" with nothing better to do than scheme how they can undermine the school staff. It's a sorry state of affairs when parantal groups determine what any teacher should do and how they shoukd do it, and no headteacher should ever bend over for any parant. Weak school leaders always bend to parants who know less than the establishment.

It's a pity as it used to be a tremendously respected school, run by solid staff, it now belong to the Chelsea Tractor brigade.

The teachers are excellent, always complying to the needs of the children. All my children have loved all the teachers they've had.

Unfortunately my son has reported the head teacher's lack of concern for staff, witnessing bullying, degrading the teachers, and interfering with class studies. This is a concern as it displays severe and unesasary control by head management. This has also been observed by other parents.

From my own experience, the previous head teacher was excellent, showing patience to staff and children, however the current head mistress appears more concerned about her image with parants as apposed to supporting her staff. All my children have attended this school, my youngest is due to leave for high-school this year. He has high praise for all his teachers, unfortunately this praise is not extended to the head position.

The school used to be classed as outstanding, unfortunately this title was lost when new "Head" management was introduced.

Being a teacher myself I can see how a weak head can affect the whole flavour of the school, and how bullying by head staff can dislodge a good working environment.. this then can affect the staff, and ultimately our children's education.

In summary, what was once a good school has been negatively affected by "tattle tailing' at the school gates, something that appears to be supported by head management. Also, imature behavoir witnessed by my son of head staff's condescending behavoirs. There's weak interaction to support the needs of any village collective groups, with the exception of.. including our local village church in religious studies which has been well received by our local community.

Regarding head staff, they seem to focus entirely focused on thier personal "image" with parantal bodies, as apposed to strong educational values of staff support and parantal understanding.

I've thought about reporting these observations to the board of governors.. something that's still under strong consideration.

I hope the head management team can accept constructive feedback, and not dismiss these concerns by myself and other parents in favour of their own personal image. School, staff, support and education come first above all things in any, at least one would hope.