Postby jorigby » Thu Oct 25, 2012 11:00 am
Hello
We are parents who represent High View Primary and Nursery School's PTA.
Recently, we've been made aware of some negative comments being made about High View on Nappyvalleynet. We've even read criticism aimed at the parents of children at this school for not responding to these comments, and this silence has been interpreted in threads as further evidence of High View's poor standing.
We're deeply saddened by these threads. We respect freedom of speech, but we also respect the rights of our children to go to a school that is not stigmatised in this way, the rights of our teachers, and our Head, Miss Hussain, to not be publically criticised and undermined.
These threads serve to fuel what are already deeply prejudiced views of High View within the wider community. We wanted to give the other side of the story. We want to do this because we are proud of our school. We want to do this because even if people choose not to send their children to High View, we believe that parents who have taken this decision should feel supported by their wider community.
High View is a school going through great change since Miss Hussain became the Head Teacher in September 2011. That's not to undermine the work that the former Head, Miss Ridge, devoted herself to for many years. However, change was needed, and it is being delivered in a measured and considered way. There have been attacks on the school in these threads for us not having a 'proper' website. This is on the list of things to do, it will be done, but the lack of a fully functioning website is not having a negative impact on our children's education. So, please be patient, and if there is information you cannot find on the website then please contact the school or the PTA.
Many of these threads attack the parents of High View pupils for not being friendly enough in the playground. We believe that we are a friendly community, we welcome people from all backgrounds and we would be happy to meet with anyone on Nappyvalleynet to discuss the school.
Communication and PR is another area which has attracted criticism. Our children come home with a newsletter each week, sharing news of what each year group has been learning about, key dates and other information. The focus is on the children's education, PR is perhaps something that this community could help us with, and we hope that this message is a good start.
We have a very strong sense of community within High View. If prospective parents want to experience High View, then we'd suggest contacting Miss Hussain and coming along to the Friday assembly. It is in the Friday assembly when we feel most proud of our school: pride at our children, how much they are enjoying learning and interacting with each other. If we could bottle our pride at these assemblies, then we would post it on this site for the whole community to experience. Wouldn't that be a more informed and positive thread to enjoy?
We are parents too. And we understand how emotionally charged the education debate can get. But we want to encourage parents to look beyond this negativity. High View is trying to achieve great things. And, as a school we have achieved great things. We need the support of the whole community, whether you intend to bring your children here or not.
To hear more about our school we are more than happy to meet with you or invite you to come to High View to have a look around.
Thank you for listening.
High View Primary and Nursery School PTA
Last edited by
jorigby on Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.