We always welcome a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below. This from Sally Osmund. Ed
The County Press on 12 December led with the story about Island Innovation Trust (IIT) VI Form’s failure to send a batch of students’ A level papers to the examination board for marking. The mistake was discovered by accident.
AQA may well have contacted IIT VI Form, but as it is a separate exam centre, from Medina and Carisbrooke the query would have been directed to that Examinations Officer who, by this time had left the school. This no excuse, it is the reason.
I believe Richard Williams’ response wasn’t entirely tactful or accurate either.
The view of Ofsted
The recent comments of Ofsted on Isle of Wight secondary schools are not unexpected. They say only 17% of Island secondary school students have the opportunity to attend a ‘Good’ school.
The fact that Dr Fox from Ryde Academy is forced to recruit in Canada and South Africa to overcome reluctance of good mainland teachers to commit ‘career suicide’ speaks for itself.
More support needed for Island teachers
However Island teachers are being run into the ground and those who are able to raise their game are still not being supported or encouraged.
Not enough effort is being made to encourage teachers who are not ever likely to make the grade to leave, either by persuasion or by competency proceedings.
Leadership is still a big issue
I am no fan of Ofsted, but they are correct in saying that leadership is still a big issue and maybe school leaders are more concerned about comparison with the school down the road.
The situation is bad enough to warrant co-operation not competition. The excess of secondary places will have further unwanted fallout.
Image: thecampbells under CC BY 2.0
