This afternoon I went to Oakbank school to listen to residents and try and see what I could do to help. I heard about classes with 70 pupils; poor teaching and supply teachers who did not last for more than one lesson. I also heard some good things; the school has a great community; people like being at a local school; children pull together and they want to stay in the school if the education improves. The view was it has nose dived in quality in the last year and a half.
The first immediate issue is stabilising the education provided and ensuring the pupils have consistent teachers and the curriculum is covered. This is particularly urgent for Year 11 pupils as they approach their GCSEs.
Following talking to parents I briefed the CEO of Wokingham Borough on what I had heard and talked to her of the urgency of doing something for year 11s in particular.
I also told her that there was concern over the school buildings and that people were asking where developer's contributions had been spent.
Finally I mentioned the need to ensure the new trust taking on the school is a good fit.
The council CEO understood the issue and the urgency for year 11s in particular and promised to investigate what could be done. She has agreed to ask the Director in charge of Education to brief me on the actions they will take asap.
Talking to parents and pupils and feeding the comments back was very useful. Hopefully we will see some rapid action!