Concern over pupils' achievement at two Darwen schools

8:00pm Saturday 16th March 2013 in News

CONCERN has been expressed over the achievement of pupils at two Darwen primary schools.

At a meeting at Blackburn Town Hall, councillors discussed the Government-set ‘national floor’ target which states 60 per cent of pupils should reach Level Four in English and maths by the time they leave for secondary school.

Members of the children and health overview and scrutiny committee said despite an improvement across the board, they were worried about St Joseph’s RC Primary School and St Barnabas Primary School.

Robert Arrowsmith, the council’s research and planning manager, said: “A school is expected to get 60 per cent of pupils to a Level Four in English and maths.

“We have actually only got one school below the ‘national floor’, which is our best ever performance.

“In previous years we have had eight or nine beneath it.”

Mr Arrowsmith said overall the authority’s schools were outperforming similar areas, which was something to celebrate.

But he said St Joseph’s was between 40 and 45 per cent, while St Barnabas was just on the 60 per cent mark.

Headteacher of St Joseph’s in Limes Avenue, Anne O’Brien, said: “We didn’t hit our floor targets last year.

“We had a challenging group of children last year, a high number of whom had special needs.

“Every group of children is different but they all worked really hard.

“We are on track this year. It was just a blip.”

Sunnyhurst councillor Dave Smith said: “That should set alarm bells ringing I would think.

“Can we do anything to help them?”

Lisa Bibby, director of schools and learning, said: “It was a surprise to the school and to some extent to the local authority that they performed to that level.

“For schools such as St Joseph’s the local authority has a targeted response and they get additional support.

“There’s some good progress being made.”

St Barnabas did not respond to a request for a comment before going to press.

Comments (7)

9:07pm Sat 16 Mar 13

jobooks says...

I would be concerned about the standard of education, especially if it turns out that the author of this headline went to those schools! ACHEIVEMENT? Really? Spelling?
I would be concerned about the standard of education, especially if it turns out that the author of this headline went to those schools! ACHEIVEMENT? Really? Spelling? jobooks

9:38pm Sat 16 Mar 13

burner says...

Sumewonn at the Ee Tea juzt karnt spill .
Sumewonn at the Ee Tea juzt karnt spill . burner

12:53pm Mon 18 Mar 13

dinger123 says...

St Josephs should concentrate more on the subjects that matter for our future and cut back on religious education which is just a waste of time.
St Josephs should concentrate more on the subjects that matter for our future and cut back on religious education which is just a waste of time. dinger123

8:38pm Mon 18 Mar 13

tea_lady says...

From what I know of the situation at St Joseph's, they seem to have lost some very experienced teachers and several non-teaching staff members who weren't happy with management. I know a lot of parents are unhappy with how the school is being managed. Perhaps a change of leadership would help?
From what I know of the situation at St Joseph's, they seem to have lost some very experienced teachers and several non-teaching staff members who weren't happy with management. I know a lot of parents are unhappy with how the school is being managed. Perhaps a change of leadership would help? tea_lady

8:02pm Tue 19 Mar 13

janbo1968 says...

my son attended st barnanbas school last year and he did well in his sats and also he did a level 6 in maths and so did 3 other pupils .1 of the pupils got a 100% in maths & engilsh
my son attended st barnanbas school last year and he did well in his sats and also he did a level 6 in maths and so did 3 other pupils .1 of the pupils got a 100% in maths & engilsh janbo1968

5:39pm Wed 20 Mar 13

CapitaBackHander says...

Nice announcment just as parents find out their choice of school forced on them!
R.E has to be taught re OFSTED, also not a waste of time if done correctly. I am not religious but the love and caring side must be good for a child.
Nice announcment just as parents find out their choice of school forced on them! R.E has to be taught re OFSTED, also not a waste of time if done correctly. I am not religious but the love and caring side must be good for a child. CapitaBackHander

9:21am Thu 21 Mar 13

atpat says...

dinger123 wrote:
St Josephs should concentrate more on the subjects that matter for our future and cut back on religious education which is just a waste of time.
Well dinger, all I can say is that you are as thick as a brick. I was taught that any form of reading and study is worthwhile. Our teacher was OK with the Dandy and Beano, quite smiply because we were reading. Don't blame RE or anything else at the school, before you take the time to investigate if the failing children are visiting the local library etc. On a more general note I would ask if the youngsters are happy at school. if he answer is yes then learning will simply happen, maybe at a slower rate than some egghead would wish. Does it really matter if some year 4 or 5 kids cannot spell orchestra or explain E=MC2. Finally do not blaim the teachers because at that tender age PARENTS ARE THE FIRST TEACHERS.
[quote][p][bold]dinger123[/bold] wrote: St Josephs should concentrate more on the subjects that matter for our future and cut back on religious education which is just a waste of time.[/p][/quote]Well dinger, all I can say is that you are as thick as a brick. I was taught that any form of reading and study is worthwhile. Our teacher was OK with the Dandy and Beano, quite smiply because we were reading. Don't blame RE or anything else at the school, before you take the time to investigate if the failing children are visiting the local library etc. On a more general note I would ask if the youngsters are happy at school. if he answer is yes then learning will simply happen, maybe at a slower rate than some egghead would wish. Does it really matter if some year 4 or 5 kids cannot spell orchestra or explain E=MC2. Finally do not blaim the teachers because at that tender age PARENTS ARE THE FIRST TEACHERS. atpat

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