Teachers threat to strike at Darwen school over pupil behaviour (From Lancashire Telegraph)

asdaegg wrote:
Well i am a student at Darwen Vale, and you are trying to make out that we are all wild animals. It is a minority of pupils which are making a bad reputation for the school, overall i think Darwen Vale High School is a good school.

asdaegg wrote:
Well i am a student at Darwen Vale, and you are trying to make out that we are all wild animals. It is a minority of pupils which are making a bad reputation for the school, overall i think Darwen Vale High School is a good school.

asdaegg wrote:
Well i am a student at Darwen Vale, and you are trying to make out that we are all wild animals. It is a minority of pupils which are making a bad reputation for the school, overall i think Darwen Vale High School is a good school.

Tom_Roberts wrote:
You only have to look at the photograph of the Headteacher at this school to see where the problem starts. Obviously a weak individual who has got to her position through playing the politically correct game rather than having firm principles and setting boundaries for behaviour. Children respect strength and they exploit weakeness - it's not rocket-science.

paperview wrote:
I care for two children one attends St Bedes and the other Darwen Vale, I have to say the difference in the two schools is very disturbing. Even when Darwen Vale was located on Bolton Road pupils would be walking into the school gates with cigarettes in their mouths whilst teachers stood by talking to each other ignoring the pupils. The pupils at Darwen Vale get away with wearing anything as a uniform from leather jackets to Ugg boots at St Bedes the pupil would be turned away from the gate. I blame the teaching staff and not the pupils, if you let children think they can do what they please this is the end result. There needs to be some consistency in the ruling of the school. I was told that one child was "stoned" (from smoking cannabis) in class last week and the teacher didn't even notice. Perhaps they noticed but have now got past caring. I am sure the staff at Darwen Vale are more than capable of reaching the high standards that I see at St Bedes but it feels they have lost the will to fight the battle that has been brewing for a number of years. A lot changed when the headmistress Lynne Dunning sadly passed away in 2009, things began to slip then and have the school seems not to have made a recovery. I hope for the pupils and teachers sake things get resolved before the new school is ready.

past it wrote:
Steteach, if your grammer and spelling is anything to go by, thank goodness you are not teaching anymore. But the point is valid.

AyeshaK wrote:
I am a Year 11 pupil at Darwen Vale and personally i think that all of the comments about our school are ridiculous. There are pupils who conduct theirselves badly in every school. Considering that most of the people who have been critisising are adults, it is shocking that people would say things like that despite their age. It is a small minority that misbehave and I know a group of people who are all achieving A's and A*'s. I think that people should not be so quick to stereotype. Our Year 11 group have the best grades this school have ever seen.

paperview wrote:
I care for two children one attends St Bedes and the other Darwen Vale, I have to say the difference in the two schools is very disturbing. Even when Darwen Vale was located on Bolton Road pupils would be walking into the school gates with cigarettes in their mouths whilst teachers stood by talking to each other ignoring the pupils. The pupils at Darwen Vale get away with wearing anything as a uniform from leather jackets to Ugg boots at St Bedes the pupil would be turned away from the gate. I blame the teaching staff and not the pupils, if you let children think they can do what they please this is the end result. There needs to be some consistency in the ruling of the school. I was told that one child was "stoned" (from smoking cannabis) in class last week and the teacher didn't even notice. Perhaps they noticed but have now got past caring. I am sure the staff at Darwen Vale are more than capable of reaching the high standards that I see at St Bedes but it feels they have lost the will to fight the battle that has been brewing for a number of years. A lot changed when the headmistress Lynne Dunning sadly passed away in 2009, things began to slip then and have the school seems not to have made a recovery. I hope for the pupils and teachers sake things get resolved before the new school is ready.

AyeshaK wrote:
I am a Year 11 pupil at Darwen Vale and personally i think that all of the comments about our school are ridiculous. There are pupils who conduct theirselves badly in every school. Considering that most of the people who have been critisising are adults, it is shocking that people would say things like that despite their age. It is a small minority that misbehave and I know a group of people who are all achieving A's and A*'s. I think that people should not be so quick to stereotype. Our Year 11 group have the best grades this school have ever seen.

chappyhappyness wrote:
There seems to be a lot me posts from so called students. It kind of says it all . Instead of learning they are surfing the internet on their blackberries.
Suppose it makes a change from sending home made **** clips and smoking canabis.

Paul Woods wrote:
I agree that since the loss of Mrs Dunning the School seems to have morally gone down hill. I do not blame the kids, I hear that classes are like a zoo. Once out of control how can they learn anything. I go that way to work and see kids still walking at 9:30 or later, where is the responsibility to ensure our kids have arrived safely?
I feel sorry for the teachers not getting the support they need to bring the school back from the abyss.
Why this has been mentioned in the press before letters to parents is beyond me.

Joshua-H wrote:
You cannot judge the school until you have witnessed what 'mayhem' actually takes place within the school ground. You are all tarring us with the same brush and it is extremely innapropriate. My revulsion towards the whole topic goes beyond measure. I myself being an A* student, and many of my friends, also. Agitated at the thought of being looked down on due to being a student at Darwenvale, I suggest you all re-think your opinions of our students, otherwise you will be branded by many students accross the county as pathetic and simple-minded, unable divide your opinion between the good majority and the bad minority. Big up the Geek Club.

alan-t wrote:
i'm a darwen vale student and it is laughable that all you so called adults can make a mockery of the students at this school when most of them are high achieving and clearly since your making pathetic comments on the telegraph website you must not be at work so i guess you don't have jobs, so how can you criticise this school if you mustn't of had a good education yourself??

Gerrard10 wrote:
i am not being funny but i am a year 11 pupil at darwen vale and there is really nothing wrong with vale there is a good education and yes maybe there is pupils that missbehave but no matter what school you go to there is going to be missbehaviour and i dont think that it is fair lieing about vale and putting us in the front page, you are making this school look really bad, i have been at vale since year 7 and there is nothing wrong, yes they deal with behaviour properly, i enjoy being at school bcause i know that i will leave with a great education, so please just stop writing bad reviews about us the teacher are great and are here to help.

roverspal wrote:

AyeshaK wrote: I am a Year 11 pupil at Darwen Vale and personally i think that all of the comments about our school are ridiculous. There are pupils who conduct theirselves badly in every school. Considering that most of the people who have been critisising are adults, it is shocking that people would say things like that despite their age. It is a small minority that misbehave and I know a group of people who are all achieving A's and A*'s. I think that people should not be so quick to stereotype. Our Year 11 group have the best grades this school have ever seen.

WELL AYSHA WILL THEY COME ANYWHERE NEAR THE A GRADES GAINED BY BLACKBURN MUSLIM GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL?? OR ARE THE TEACHERS LYING?? AS THEY ARE THE ONES SUPPOSEDLY BEING TERRORISED BY UNRULY PUPILS, WHO KNOW THEY CAN GET AWAY BY CALLING NAMES AND SAY SAD AND DISGRACEFUL THINGS IN FRONT OF TEACHERS, THROW PAPER AND OTHER OBJECTS TO THEIR PEERS, AND IF THEY SHOUT IN RETALIATION, THE NEXT DAY HAVE TO FACE SOME LOW LIFE WHO THINKS HIS/HER CHILD IS A SAINT? EVEN THAT PERSON WONT BE THE REAL FATHER ..BOYFRIENDS ARE TEN A PENNY ESPECIALLY THE SCUM TYPE.. BAD PARENTING IF ANY PARENTING IS A MAJOR NATIONAL CONCERN AS MY SISTER IS ALSO A TEACHER AND SHE ALSO HAS EXPERIENCED HELL FROM WITHIN THE CLASSROOM FOR ATTEMPTING HER JOB..ITS NOT EASY THROWING HALF THE CLASS OUT DUE TO ABUSIVE LANGUAGE.. MOST OF THEM COME FROM SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES ANYWAY..YOU ARE DELUDED IF YOU THINK YOUR YEAR WILL GAIN THE BEST A GRADES THIS SCHOOL HAS EVER SEEN.. IN LIFE GAIN THE WORLD BUT DON'T GAIN THE RESPECT OF YOUR ELDERS AND YOU LOOSE ALL... GAIN THEIR RESPECT AND YOU ARE A WINNER.. IF YOU WANT TO TEST PARENTING SEE HOW MANY PUPILS SAY "THANK YOU" AND "PLEASE".. THIS IS JUST A SHORT INDICATOR..

what the hell wrote:
i have been at this school since year 7 and am now in year 11. i agree that some pupils make the school look bad however they are dealt with the correct punishment. Darwen vale is well known for good grades and execellent teachers i disagree with everything people have been saying this school is full of caring pupils that do everything they can to help improve their and others lifes, such as fund raisers (comic relief, children in need, maddison allen). i think people need to take this into concideration and think about how well their eduction is before commenting and lieing about our school!

coolgirl1234 wrote:
im a kid at dvhs and i think this is not bonnie behavior! we are tottally chilled and not at all bad in any way here and we all communicate under a save emotional enviroment thanksyou
so for all these press boys thinking there hard coz they got a camera ill shove it up your behind! this schkew is defo the bonniest tooth in the gum!

kimholliday134 wrote:
this is out of order!! get a grip a school is perfect you lot keep your nose out of our buissness!! okay thankyou ilove this school iam a good girl

reeceyboy;) wrote:
i am a year 11 student at vale and the comments that have been made by the telegraph are largely over exaggerated yes there are some pupils who can give the school a bad name but thats just a small majority being at this school for so long now in my opinion pupils in this school are polite and intellegent individuals.

teachit wrote:
as a teacher I fully understand why the staff feel that action is required. The government took away the right for teachers to discipline pupils. We have to put up with swearing(at us and at other pupils) and many other forms of verbal abuse. We also have to put up with being physically abused by pupils! All the schools seem to be bothered about are league tables and no- exclusions!! And the public wonder why there are so many staff of with stress!! When you do challenge the behaviour policies there is little,or, no support from management!!! we are human beings and deserve to be able to work in a SAFE environment with the backing of our bosses!

kimholliday134 wrote:
this is out of order!! get a grip a school is perfect you lot keep your nose out of our buissness!! okay thankyou ilove this school iam a good girl

Hugh Jardon wrote:

what the hell wrote: i have been at this school since year 7 and am now in year 11. i agree that some pupils make the school look bad however they are dealt with the correct punishment. Darwen vale is well known for good grades and execellent teachers i disagree with everything people have been saying this school is full of caring pupils that do everything they can to help improve their and others lifes, such as fund raisers (comic relief, children in need, maddison allen). i think people need to take this into concideration and think about how well their eduction is before commenting and lieing about our school!

WTH... Pls explain why many of the teaching staff are looking at strike action? IF the punishment had the desired effect, then it would not be repeated. Fancy a bet that it's the 'usual suspects' that are causing this? Just to repeat..VALE is an excellent school- it appears (though) that many of the teaching staff are not being given the 'protection' that they deserve. In addition, I have the PLEASURE to have met many of my son's team mates at various sports matches. They are a decent set of lads..some bright..some not so! However, they do represent their school & take pride in doing so! This poor behaviour must be nipped in the bud now..or I pity the next influx of kiddies.

reeceyboy;) wrote:

kimholliday134 wrote:
this is out of order!! get a grip a school is perfect you lot keep your nose out of our buissness!! okay thankyou ilove this school iam a good girl

You look like an idiot saying that

Hugh Jardon wrote:

reeceyboy;) wrote: i am a year 11 student at vale and the comments that have been made by the telegraph are largely over exaggerated yes there are some pupils who can give the school a bad name but thats just a small majority being at this school for so long now in my opinion pupils in this school are polite and intellegent individuals.

The telegraph (yes, it's not the best read) are running a story, with comments from Unions etc. Do us all a favour & ensure that coolgirl(?) attends her next English lesson, will you pls? The community within Vale is (unfortunately) the same as the community outside of VALE. The morons ruin everything & the decent ones all 'pay'. Note:- you probably meant small MINORITY.

Gerrard10 wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

what the hell wrote: i have been at this school since year 7 and am now in year 11. i agree that some pupils make the school look bad however they are dealt with the correct punishment. Darwen vale is well known for good grades and execellent teachers i disagree with everything people have been saying this school is full of caring pupils that do everything they can to help improve their and others lifes, such as fund raisers (comic relief, children in need, maddison allen). i think people need to take this into concideration and think about how well their eduction is before commenting and lieing about our school!

WTH... Pls explain why many of the teaching staff are looking at strike action? IF the punishment had the desired effect, then it would not be repeated. Fancy a bet that it's the 'usual suspects' that are causing this? Just to repeat..VALE is an excellent school- it appears (though) that many of the teaching staff are not being given the 'protection' that they deserve. In addition, I have the PLEASURE to have met many of my son's team mates at various sports matches. They are a decent set of lads..some bright..some not so! However, they do represent their school & take pride in doing so! This poor behaviour must be nipped in the bud now..or I pity the next influx of kiddies.

i dont know where you are all getting that teachers wanna go on strike they dont wanna go on strike so stop saying that

reeceyboy;) wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

reeceyboy;) wrote: i am a year 11 student at vale and the comments that have been made by the telegraph are largely over exaggerated yes there are some pupils who can give the school a bad name but thats just a small majority being at this school for so long now in my opinion pupils in this school are polite and intellegent individuals.

The telegraph (yes, it's not the best read) are running a story, with comments from Unions etc. Do us all a favour & ensure that coolgirl(?) attends her next English lesson, will you pls? The community within Vale is (unfortunately) the same as the community outside of VALE. The morons ruin everything & the decent ones all 'pay'. Note:- you probably meant small MINORITY.

ok thanks for the quote and theres no need to be so abusive towards a student

chappyhappyness wrote:
If the teachers in on strike and you all fail ,you only have yourselves to blame. Lack of respect for the school uniform by all pupils. The girls look like the love child of katie price and an oompa loompa on a fashion catwalk . The boys . . . Words fail me

Hugh Jardon wrote:

reeceyboy;) wrote:

kimholliday134 wrote:
this is out of order!! get a grip a school is perfect you lot keep your nose out of our buissness!! okay thankyou ilove this school iam a good girl

You look like an idiot saying that

**applause**

Gerrard10 wrote:

roverspal wrote:

AyeshaK wrote: I am a Year 11 pupil at Darwen Vale and personally i think that all of the comments about our school are ridiculous. There are pupils who conduct theirselves badly in every school. Considering that most of the people who have been critisising are adults, it is shocking that people would say things like that despite their age. It is a small minority that misbehave and I know a group of people who are all achieving A's and A*'s. I think that people should not be so quick to stereotype. Our Year 11 group have the best grades this school have ever seen.

WELL AYSHA WILL THEY COME ANYWHERE NEAR THE A GRADES GAINED BY BLACKBURN MUSLIM GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL?? OR ARE THE TEACHERS LYING?? AS THEY ARE THE ONES SUPPOSEDLY BEING TERRORISED BY UNRULY PUPILS, WHO KNOW THEY CAN GET AWAY BY CALLING NAMES AND SAY SAD AND DISGRACEFUL THINGS IN FRONT OF TEACHERS, THROW PAPER AND OTHER OBJECTS TO THEIR PEERS, AND IF THEY SHOUT IN RETALIATION, THE NEXT DAY HAVE TO FACE SOME LOW LIFE WHO THINKS HIS/HER CHILD IS A SAINT? EVEN THAT PERSON WONT BE THE REAL FATHER ..BOYFRIENDS ARE TEN A PENNY ESPECIALLY THE SCUM TYPE.. BAD PARENTING IF ANY PARENTING IS A MAJOR NATIONAL CONCERN AS MY SISTER IS ALSO A TEACHER AND SHE ALSO HAS EXPERIENCED HELL FROM WITHIN THE CLASSROOM FOR ATTEMPTING HER JOB..ITS NOT EASY THROWING HALF THE CLASS OUT DUE TO ABUSIVE LANGUAGE.. MOST OF THEM COME FROM SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES ANYWAY..YOU ARE DELUDED IF YOU THINK YOUR YEAR WILL GAIN THE BEST A GRADES THIS SCHOOL HAS EVER SEEN.. IN LIFE GAIN THE WORLD BUT DON'T GAIN THE RESPECT OF YOUR ELDERS AND YOU LOOSE ALL... GAIN THEIR RESPECT AND YOU ARE A WINNER.. IF YOU WANT TO TEST PARENTING SEE HOW MANY PUPILS SAY "THANK YOU" AND "PLEASE".. THIS IS JUST A SHORT INDICATOR..

ayesha that sounds like the truth and roverspal or what ever you are are ou trying to be rasist because there are muslim girls and boys that come to vale and there still getting a great education

Hugh Jardon wrote:

alan-t wrote: i'm a darwen vale student and it is laughable that all you so called adults can make a mockery of the students at this school when most of them are high achieving and clearly since your making pathetic comments on the telegraph website you must not be at work so i guess you don't have jobs, so how can you criticise this school if you mustn't of had a good education yourself??

My Dear Alan, I would suggest that you re read your comments & reflect on how bloody stupid you now appear to be....it would seem that jumping to conclusions is quite infectious. Are all the comments mocking ALL the kiddywinkies at Vale? Err.... NOPE! Have you considered that some of the respondents may be:- 1) Retired? 2) On shifts? 3) Are fortunate enough to not HAVE to work (though do not rely on the 'state' for their money)? 4) Work from home? 5) Have access to the web whilst at work? 6) Been made redundant? You have done yourself (nor the school that you have chosen to represent) no favours by posting your comment. You appear to be under the illusion that only those with a 'good education' would be out at work during the day. Oh..for the record I'm example No4 !! & benefitted with an excellent education & qualifications. One presumes that you are not best pleased that Vale is being seen in a bad light (it's on the whole a **** good school)? If so, how often have you intervened when you have witnessed 'bad' behaviour by a fellow pupil? If you haven't, then ask yourself "Why Not?" Now..run along..there's a good lad!

alan-t wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

alan-t wrote: i'm a darwen vale student and it is laughable that all you so called adults can make a mockery of the students at this school when most of them are high achieving and clearly since your making pathetic comments on the telegraph website you must not be at work so i guess you don't have jobs, so how can you criticise this school if you mustn't of had a good education yourself??

My Dear Alan, I would suggest that you re read your comments & reflect on how bloody stupid you now appear to be....it would seem that jumping to conclusions is quite infectious. Are all the comments mocking ALL the kiddywinkies at Vale? Err.... NOPE! Have you considered that some of the respondents may be:- 1) Retired? 2) On shifts? 3) Are fortunate enough to not HAVE to work (though do not rely on the 'state' for their money)? 4) Work from home? 5) Have access to the web whilst at work? 6) Been made redundant? You have done yourself (nor the school that you have chosen to represent) no favours by posting your comment. You appear to be under the illusion that only those with a 'good education' would be out at work during the day. Oh..for the record I'm example No4 !! & benefitted with an excellent education & qualifications. One presumes that you are not best pleased that Vale is being seen in a bad light (it's on the whole a **** good school)? If so, how often have you intervened when you have witnessed 'bad' behaviour by a fellow pupil? If you haven't, then ask yourself "Why Not?" Now..run along..there's a good lad!

you have made a fair point i apologise

luchumphreys wrote:
I am a student at this school and in my opinion this news story is a desperate attempt to boost newspaper sales. No Vale is not out of contorl in any shape, way, or form. Yes there are pupils who misbehave, but this is the case for any school. This is also the minority, Vale does many positive things but good news is no news. Who wants to read about teachers working hard and well behaved students? no one does. The telegraph has given you exactly what you want, drama and negativity. I think this story is awful and completely untrue, not a single teacher knew about the 'striking threats' untill this story was published and to blame our knew head teacher is a complete joke. Mrs Torpey has entered the role of our head teacher at a very difficult time and her job involves alot of hard work. There seems to be countless comments from adults calling us 'lazy' and that we do not care about education, but it was adult news reporters outside our school this lunch time inapropiatley trying to get footage of students. You all seem to have such an intelligant input of how our school should be run, how about this proposal. Stop distracting from our education with false headlines and newsreporters, and leave our school in peace!

luchumphreys wrote:
I am a student at this school and in my opinion this news story is a desperate attempt to boost newspaper sales. No Vale is not out of contorl in any shape, way, or form. Yes there are pupils who misbehave, but this is the case for any school. This is also the minority, Vale does many positive things but good news is no news. Who wants to read about teachers working hard and well behaved students? no one does. The telegraph has given you exactly what you want, drama and negativity. I think this story is awful and completely untrue, not a single teacher knew about the 'striking threats' untill this story was published and to blame our knew head teacher is a complete joke. Mrs Torpey has entered the role of our head teacher at a very difficult time and her job involves alot of hard work. There seems to be countless comments from adults calling us 'lazy' and that we do not care about education, but it was adult news reporters outside our school this lunch time inapropiatley trying to get footage of students. You all seem to have such an intelligant input of how our school should be run, how about this proposal. Stop distracting from our education with false headlines and newsreporters, and leave our school in peace!

Teacher7452 wrote:
This entire discussion is abominable and should be locked down immediately! Firstly it is disgusting that adults are arguing with children on this forum about their views on the school they attend and secondly it is unforgiveable that someone has taken this news to the press; this is an issue that should have been sorted internally.

Lynn Dunning worked herself in to an early grave making Darwen Vale High School a great school, John Lawson carried on the great work and Hilary Torpey will do the same. What this report does not do is give the reader any real information about the school.

How anybody feels they can pass judgement on this school without being there is beyond me and whoever took this news to the press should resign immediately. All the hard work that staff and others put in at this school to make it GOOD has been undone by one selfish person and their actions today.

Let’s be clear when we say that there is bad behaviour at some point in every school but it should not be broadcast in this manner to the public. The staff at The Lancashire Evening Telegraph that published this item should be ashamed. Many years of hard work building this school up has been destroyed by your need to sell papers
.
I know now that anyone reading this post will be quick to argue back! I agree that if the school was doing things right this wouldn’t have happened but in the interests of the children who wear the school uniform every day and the staff who work unending hours there we should have the decency to give them the privacy they deserve to turn this around.

Anybody who still feels the need to continue the abusive, childish and silly comments on this forum should log off and find a new hobby.

Hugh Jardon wrote:

luchumphreys wrote: I am a student at this school and in my opinion this news story is a desperate attempt to boost newspaper sales. No Vale is not out of contorl in any shape, way, or form. Yes there are pupils who misbehave, but this is the case for any school. This is also the minority, Vale does many positive things but good news is no news. Who wants to read about teachers working hard and well behaved students? no one does. The telegraph has given you exactly what you want, drama and negativity. I think this story is awful and completely untrue, not a single teacher knew about the 'striking threats' untill this story was published and to blame our knew head teacher is a complete joke. Mrs Torpey has entered the role of our head teacher at a very difficult time and her job involves alot of hard work. There seems to be countless comments from adults calling us 'lazy' and that we do not care about education, but it was adult news reporters outside our school this lunch time inapropiatley trying to get footage of students. You all seem to have such an intelligant input of how our school should be run, how about this proposal. Stop distracting from our education with false headlines and newsreporters, and leave our school in peace!

Mmmm, If only you were correct in your comment that no teachers knew about this. One presumes you interviewed each & every one personally? Unfortunately, it does appear that there is some truth in this sad story (the fact that your Head is "treating concerns seriously" would appear to back this up). I note that it was an adult news reporter outside your school..one would have hoped it was an adult, mind you! The LT is a pile of cack (we all know that)...yet I'm struggling to find countless comments accusing the pupils of being 'lazy' etc. VALE is an excellent school..but simply mirrors society as a whole. No one is knocking you or the other decent pupils...the one's that deserve a slating are too dense to understand or couldn't give a toss. Let's see if this is all a big joke when they leave Vale with zero qualifications...

britguy wrote:
But this is what all the left wing sandle wearing teachers voted for year after year.
Dont punish the poor little childern, take away all forms of discipline so the dear little darlings can "express" themselves.
Get rid of all those nasty male teachers and fill the schools with female teachers. Well you got what you wished for.
Always remember the saying "Spare the rod and spoil the child."

pupil33 wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

luchumphreys wrote: I am a student at this school and in my opinion this news story is a desperate attempt to boost newspaper sales. No Vale is not out of contorl in any shape, way, or form. Yes there are pupils who misbehave, but this is the case for any school. This is also the minority, Vale does many positive things but good news is no news. Who wants to read about teachers working hard and well behaved students? no one does. The telegraph has given you exactly what you want, drama and negativity. I think this story is awful and completely untrue, not a single teacher knew about the 'striking threats' untill this story was published and to blame our knew head teacher is a complete joke. Mrs Torpey has entered the role of our head teacher at a very difficult time and her job involves alot of hard work. There seems to be countless comments from adults calling us 'lazy' and that we do not care about education, but it was adult news reporters outside our school this lunch time inapropiatley trying to get footage of students. You all seem to have such an intelligant input of how our school should be run, how about this proposal. Stop distracting from our education with false headlines and newsreporters, and leave our school in peace!

Mmmm, If only you were correct in your comment that no teachers knew about this. One presumes you interviewed each & every one personally? Unfortunately, it does appear that there is some truth in this sad story (the fact that your Head is "treating concerns seriously" would appear to back this up). I note that it was an adult news reporter outside your school..one would have hoped it was an adult, mind you! The LT is a pile of cack (we all know that)...yet I'm struggling to find countless comments accusing the pupils of being 'lazy' etc. VALE is an excellent school..but simply mirrors society as a whole. No one is knocking you or the other decent pupils...the one's that deserve a slating are too dense to understand or couldn't give a toss. Let's see if this is all a big joke when they leave Vale with zero qualifications...

if only YOUR comment was true! The school has pupils leaving with A* and A's! Personally, i achieved an A in GCSE history in year 10, so i will be leaving with qualifications!

teachit wrote:
Obviously there are alot of contradications on here!! Not ALL children a bad- but the bosses need to take action against the minority! I myself have a child and now how disobedient they can be(he also has ADHD) but where does the final responsibilty lie? with no government and management backing what else can teachers do? Could you imagine the uproar if teachers were to behave in the same manner as their pupils? I f we were to defend ourselves or even swear back at the pupils we would be out of a job!!! The minority ARE spoiling it for the majority and the school management, parents/carers But mainly the children should be accountable for their actions!We are trying are best to educate ALL of the pupils!!!

Hugh Jardon wrote:

pupil33 wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

luchumphreys wrote: I am a student at this school and in my opinion this news story is a desperate attempt to boost newspaper sales. No Vale is not out of contorl in any shape, way, or form. Yes there are pupils who misbehave, but this is the case for any school. This is also the minority, Vale does many positive things but good news is no news. Who wants to read about teachers working hard and well behaved students? no one does. The telegraph has given you exactly what you want, drama and negativity. I think this story is awful and completely untrue, not a single teacher knew about the 'striking threats' untill this story was published and to blame our knew head teacher is a complete joke. Mrs Torpey has entered the role of our head teacher at a very difficult time and her job involves alot of hard work. There seems to be countless comments from adults calling us 'lazy' and that we do not care about education, but it was adult news reporters outside our school this lunch time inapropiatley trying to get footage of students. You all seem to have such an intelligant input of how our school should be run, how about this proposal. Stop distracting from our education with false headlines and newsreporters, and leave our school in peace!

Mmmm, If only you were correct in your comment that no teachers knew about this. One presumes you interviewed each & every one personally? Unfortunately, it does appear that there is some truth in this sad story (the fact that your Head is "treating concerns seriously" would appear to back this up). I note that it was an adult news reporter outside your school..one would have hoped it was an adult, mind you! The LT is a pile of cack (we all know that)...yet I'm struggling to find countless comments accusing the pupils of being 'lazy' etc. VALE is an excellent school..but simply mirrors society as a whole. No one is knocking you or the other decent pupils...the one's that deserve a slating are too dense to understand or couldn't give a toss. Let's see if this is all a big joke when they leave Vale with zero qualifications...

if only YOUR comment was true! The school has pupils leaving with A* and A's! Personally, i achieved an A in GCSE history in year 10, so i will be leaving with qualifications!

I'm discussing those who are creating problems..not the one's who aren't. Unless, of course, you are suggesting that being disruptive in class etc merits praise. "No one is knocking you or the other decent pupils...the one's that deserve a slating are too dense to understand or couldn't give a toss. Let's see if this is all a big joke when they leave Vale with zero qualifications..."

valeFTW wrote:
if i'm honest, you adults commenting on here are stupid. i'm in my last year at vale and i've enjoyed every moment of my time there, so how dare you call the school, it is a great school to be at and the teachers back every student 100%. it is also clear that you people commenting in mid afternoon clearly don't have jobs, so you must have had a great eduucation? so basically do one?

harvey7 wrote:

valeFTW wrote: if i'm honest, you adults commenting on here are stupid. i'm in my last year at vale and i've enjoyed every moment of my time there, so how dare you call the school, it is a great school to be at and the teachers back every student 100%. it is also clear that you people commenting in mid afternoon clearly don't have jobs, so you must have had a great eduucation? so basically do one?

I am an ex Vale pupil and left with three A*'s, four A's and three B's at GCSE level. I have almost completed my Maths degree and have a job - it just so happens to be my day off. If you read from the top, many of the comments state that it's the majority of the pupils - no one is 'calling the school'. Yes, every school has it's bad apples, it just so happens to be Darwen Vale on the receiving end of the bad press today! It's a shame that bad press gets the most attention, but it's just a fact of life. I too enjoyed every moment at Vale but there is no doubting that the school is re-gaining it's 90's reputation. We could go on about 'who's to blame' all day, but you're not doing your school, and my ex school, any favours by telling us to 'do one'. And how about the students commenting mid day - shouldn't they be in class. Call me skeptical, but I have a feeling some of these posts are not pupils...

harvey7 wrote:

valeFTW wrote: if i'm honest, you adults commenting on here are stupid. i'm in my last year at vale and i've enjoyed every moment of my time there, so how dare you call the school, it is a great school to be at and the teachers back every student 100%. it is also clear that you people commenting in mid afternoon clearly don't have jobs, so you must have had a great eduucation? so basically do one?

I am an ex Vale pupil and left with three A*'s, four A's and three B's at GCSE level. I have almost completed my Maths degree and have a job - it just so happens to be my day off. If you read from the top, many of the comments state that it's the majority of the pupils - no one is 'calling the school'. Yes, every school has it's bad apples, it just so happens to be Darwen Vale on the receiving end of the bad press today! It's a shame that bad press gets the most attention, but it's just a fact of life. I too enjoyed every moment at Vale but there is no doubting that the school is re-gaining it's 90's reputation. We could go on about 'who's to blame' all day, but you're not doing your school, and my ex school, any favours by telling us to 'do one'. And how about the students commenting mid day - shouldn't they be in class. Call me skeptical, but I have a feeling some of these posts are not pupils...

abcdefghijklmnop wrote:
YOU TELEGRAPH PEOPLE ARE TAKING THE MICK, YOU ARE JUST LOOKING FOR A STORY TO STICK ON FRONT PAGE. AND ALSO HUMILIATING PUPILS (IM A PUPIL) AND STAFF! YEAH WE MAY BE NOT BE PERFECT BUT WE ARE NOT OUT OF CONTROL! IF WE WAS OUT OF CONTROL THE SCHOOL WOULD BE VANDALISED AND WE WOULD BE RINNING AROUND THE SCHOOL LIKE ANIMALS NOW I SUGGEST YOU STOP PUTTING THINGS IN THE NEWS PAPER ABOUT OUR SCHOOL, THANKS. PS: BRIGING CAMRAS TO OUR SCHOOL TODAY WAS OUT OF ORDER, YOU WAS JUST MAKING IT WORSE AND MAKING US (PUPILS) GET GIDDY.

chappyhappyness wrote:

abcdefghijklmnop wrote: YOU TELEGRAPH PEOPLE ARE TAKING THE MICK, YOU ARE JUST LOOKING FOR A STORY TO STICK ON FRONT PAGE. AND ALSO HUMILIATING PUPILS (IM A PUPIL) AND STAFF! YEAH WE MAY BE NOT BE PERFECT BUT WE ARE NOT OUT OF CONTROL! IF WE WAS OUT OF CONTROL THE SCHOOL WOULD BE VANDALISED AND WE WOULD BE RINNING AROUND THE SCHOOL LIKE ANIMALS NOW I SUGGEST YOU STOP PUTTING THINGS IN THE NEWS PAPER ABOUT OUR SCHOOL, THANKS. PS: BRIGING CAMRAS TO OUR SCHOOL TODAY WAS OUT OF ORDER, YOU WAS JUST MAKING IT WORSE AND MAKING US (PUPILS) GET GIDDY.

Stop shouting. You're not in the classroom now.

valeFTW wrote:

harvey7 wrote:

valeFTW wrote: if i'm honest, you adults commenting on here are stupid. i'm in my last year at vale and i've enjoyed every moment of my time there, so how dare you call the school, it is a great school to be at and the teachers back every student 100%. it is also clear that you people commenting in mid afternoon clearly don't have jobs, so you must have had a great eduucation? so basically do one?

I am an ex Vale pupil and left with three A*'s, four A's and three B's at GCSE level. I have almost completed my Maths degree and have a job - it just so happens to be my day off. If you read from the top, many of the comments state that it's the majority of the pupils - no one is 'calling the school'. Yes, every school has it's bad apples, it just so happens to be Darwen Vale on the receiving end of the bad press today! It's a shame that bad press gets the most attention, but it's just a fact of life. I too enjoyed every moment at Vale but there is no doubting that the school is re-gaining it's 90's reputation. We could go on about 'who's to blame' all day, but you're not doing your school, and my ex school, any favours by telling us to 'do one'. And how about the students commenting mid day - shouldn't they be in class. Call me skeptical, but I have a feeling some of these posts are not pupils...

i agree some of these probably are not pupils, but is complete bs, it's a rumour made up by the paper, so they can sell papers, they only point out the bad never the good. they make it seem like we all have ASBO's or something, it rediculous.

chappyhappyness wrote:
Thank goodness i sent my daughter to the new academy . A school that at the moment has firm drive and leadership from the top.

abcdefghijklmnop wrote:

harvey7 wrote:

valeFTW wrote: if i'm honest, you adults commenting on here are stupid. i'm in my last year at vale and i've enjoyed every moment of my time there, so how dare you call the school, it is a great school to be at and the teachers back every student 100%. it is also clear that you people commenting in mid afternoon clearly don't have jobs, so you must have had a great eduucation? so basically do one?

I am an ex Vale pupil and left with three A*'s, four A's and three B's at GCSE level. I have almost completed my Maths degree and have a job - it just so happens to be my day off. If you read from the top, many of the comments state that it's the majority of the pupils - no one is 'calling the school'. Yes, every school has it's bad apples, it just so happens to be Darwen Vale on the receiving end of the bad press today! It's a shame that bad press gets the most attention, but it's just a fact of life. I too enjoyed every moment at Vale but there is no doubting that the school is re-gaining it's 90's reputation. We could go on about 'who's to blame' all day, but you're not doing your school, and my ex school, any favours by telling us to 'do one'. And how about the students commenting mid day - shouldn't they be in class. Call me skeptical, but I have a feeling some of these posts are not pupils...

LOOK AT ALL YOU SAD ADULTS COMMENTING YOUR BACICLEY AGREEING WITH THE ARTICLE. IF YOU WHERE ALL EX PUPILS OF DARWEN VALE. YOU SHOULD BE SUPPORTING IT U SADDOS! AS A PUPIL MYSELF I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AT DARWEN VALE AND MANY MANY OTHER PUPILS WILL BE TO SOD OFF ALL OF YOU THAT ARE MAKING IT WORSE!

teachit wrote:

chappyhappyness wrote: Thank goodness i sent my daughter to the new academy . A school that at the moment has firm drive and leadership from the top.

Do you really believe that?! ALL schools and Academies have this problem- it's just a question of HOW well they sweep it under the carpet!!!

harvey7 wrote:

abcdefghijklmnop wrote:

harvey7 wrote:

valeFTW wrote: if i'm honest, you adults commenting on here are stupid. i'm in my last year at vale and i've enjoyed every moment of my time there, so how dare you call the school, it is a great school to be at and the teachers back every student 100%. it is also clear that you people commenting in mid afternoon clearly don't have jobs, so you must have had a great eduucation? so basically do one?

I am an ex Vale pupil and left with three A*'s, four A's and three B's at GCSE level. I have almost completed my Maths degree and have a job - it just so happens to be my day off. If you read from the top, many of the comments state that it's the majority of the pupils - no one is 'calling the school'. Yes, every school has it's bad apples, it just so happens to be Darwen Vale on the receiving end of the bad press today! It's a shame that bad press gets the most attention, but it's just a fact of life. I too enjoyed every moment at Vale but there is no doubting that the school is re-gaining it's 90's reputation. We could go on about 'who's to blame' all day, but you're not doing your school, and my ex school, any favours by telling us to 'do one'. And how about the students commenting mid day - shouldn't they be in class. Call me skeptical, but I have a feeling some of these posts are not pupils...

LOOK AT ALL YOU SAD ADULTS COMMENTING YOUR BACICLEY AGREEING WITH THE ARTICLE. IF YOU WHERE ALL EX PUPILS OF DARWEN VALE. YOU SHOULD BE SUPPORTING IT U SADDOS! AS A PUPIL MYSELF I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AT DARWEN VALE AND MANY MANY OTHER PUPILS WILL BE TO SOD OFF ALL OF YOU THAT ARE MAKING IT WORSE!

I supported the school when I was there and I still support the school - I left six years ago and still attend the Christmas and Summer productions, I've helped out at open evenings before and would do so again. I don't blame you for defending the school, it's human nature and I'm presuming that you aren't one of the minority causing the trouble. I am proud to say I went to Darwen Vale but there is no denying that there are issues.

abcdefghijklmnop wrote:

harvey7 wrote:

abcdefghijklmnop wrote:

harvey7 wrote:

valeFTW wrote: if i'm honest, you adults commenting on here are stupid. i'm in my last year at vale and i've enjoyed every moment of my time there, so how dare you call the school, it is a great school to be at and the teachers back every student 100%. it is also clear that you people commenting in mid afternoon clearly don't have jobs, so you must have had a great eduucation? so basically do one?

I am an ex Vale pupil and left with three A*'s, four A's and three B's at GCSE level. I have almost completed my Maths degree and have a job - it just so happens to be my day off. If you read from the top, many of the comments state that it's the majority of the pupils - no one is 'calling the school'. Yes, every school has it's bad apples, it just so happens to be Darwen Vale on the receiving end of the bad press today! It's a shame that bad press gets the most attention, but it's just a fact of life. I too enjoyed every moment at Vale but there is no doubting that the school is re-gaining it's 90's reputation. We could go on about 'who's to blame' all day, but you're not doing your school, and my ex school, any favours by telling us to 'do one'. And how about the students commenting mid day - shouldn't they be in class. Call me skeptical, but I have a feeling some of these posts are not pupils...

LOOK AT ALL YOU SAD ADULTS COMMENTING YOUR BACICLEY AGREEING WITH THE ARTICLE. IF YOU WHERE ALL EX PUPILS OF DARWEN VALE. YOU SHOULD BE SUPPORTING IT U SADDOS! AS A PUPIL MYSELF I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AT DARWEN VALE AND MANY MANY OTHER PUPILS WILL BE TO SOD OFF ALL OF YOU THAT ARE MAKING IT WORSE!

I supported the school when I was there and I still support the school - I left six years ago and still attend the Christmas and Summer productions, I've helped out at open evenings before and would do so again. I don't blame you for defending the school, it's human nature and I'm presuming that you aren't one of the minority causing the trouble. I am proud to say I went to Darwen Vale but there is no denying that there are issues.

yes ther are MINOR issues that can be easily delt with thankyou! we dont need to be humiliated in the news paper saying that we are "out of control" !
fgs, we are all ver nice pupils we all get on with everyone in the school and to be honest mrs torpey is not doing enough! we dont get non-uniform days for special accations, she is never walkin about in the school to check on us.. i mean she is the head teacher she should be doing that right? and also she has been out head teacher for quite abit now and iv seen her what once or twice in acembilys :/ we never get letters or anything from her to say what is going on in the school

chappyhappyness wrote:

abcdefghijklmnop wrote:

harvey7 wrote:

abcdefghijklmnop wrote:

harvey7 wrote:

valeFTW wrote: if i'm honest, you adults commenting on here are stupid. i'm in my last year at vale and i've enjoyed every moment of my time there, so how dare you call the school, it is a great school to be at and the teachers back every student 100%. it is also clear that you people commenting in mid afternoon clearly don't have jobs, so you must have had a great eduucation? so basically do one?

I am an ex Vale pupil and left with three A*'s, four A's and three B's at GCSE level. I have almost completed my Maths degree and have a job - it just so happens to be my day off. If you read from the top, many of the comments state that it's the majority of the pupils - no one is 'calling the school'. Yes, every school has it's bad apples, it just so happens to be Darwen Vale on the receiving end of the bad press today! It's a shame that bad press gets the most attention, but it's just a fact of life. I too enjoyed every moment at Vale but there is no doubting that the school is re-gaining it's 90's reputation. We could go on about 'who's to blame' all day, but you're not doing your school, and my ex school, any favours by telling us to 'do one'. And how about the students commenting mid day - shouldn't they be in class. Call me skeptical, but I have a feeling some of these posts are not pupils...

LOOK AT ALL YOU SAD ADULTS COMMENTING YOUR BACICLEY AGREEING WITH THE ARTICLE. IF YOU WHERE ALL EX PUPILS OF DARWEN VALE. YOU SHOULD BE SUPPORTING IT U SADDOS! AS A PUPIL MYSELF I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AT DARWEN VALE AND MANY MANY OTHER PUPILS WILL BE TO SOD OFF ALL OF YOU THAT ARE MAKING IT WORSE!

I supported the school when I was there and I still support the school - I left six years ago and still attend the Christmas and Summer productions, I've helped out at open evenings before and would do so again. I don't blame you for defending the school, it's human nature and I'm presuming that you aren't one of the minority causing the trouble. I am proud to say I went to Darwen Vale but there is no denying that there are issues.

yes ther are MINOR issues that can be easily delt with thankyou! we dont need to be humiliated in the news paper saying that we are "out of control" ! fgs, we are all ver nice pupils we all get on with everyone in the school and to be honest mrs torpey is not doing enough! we dont get non-uniform days for special accations, she is never walkin about in the school to check on us.. i mean she is the head teacher she should be doing that right? and also she has been out head teacher for quite abit now and iv seen her what once or twice in acembilys :/ we never get letters or anything from her to say what is going on in the school

Your basic grasp of grammar is shocking. But by today's exam standards it will probably get you A* pass.

gazdula wrote:
Something cannot be right in Darwen Vale. How can a school that's had millions spent on it (with more to come), still not be getting 50% of students' passing at least 5 GCSE with English, Maths and Science included.
+
I also find it dire how Darwen still hasn't got a decent school. I also find it dire how Darwen Vale has ended up in the situation it is now. How can something that used to be a Grammer School be what it is now?.

past it wrote:
Steteach, if your grammer and spelling is anything to go by, thank goodness you are not teaching anymore. But the point is valid.

roverspal wrote:

Joshua-H wrote:
You cannot judge the school until you have witnessed what 'mayhem' actually takes place within the school ground. You are all tarring us with the same brush and it is extremely innapropriate. My revulsion towards the whole topic goes beyond measure. I myself being an A* student, and many of my friends, also. Agitated at the thought of being looked down on due to being a student at Darwenvale, I suggest you all re-think your opinions of our students, otherwise you will be branded by many students accross the county as pathetic and simple-minded, unable divide your opinion between the good majority and the bad minority. Big up the Geek Club.

Should that not be DARWEN VALE, repulsion, and also unable TO divide??
Young man we are more than capable of what you are asking..
ARE YOU AND YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS CAPABLE OF BEHAVING YOURSELVES,AND RESPECTING THOSE TEACHERS WHO WANT THE BEST IN LIFE FOR YOU??

Graham Hartley wrote:
Well performed, all! Professional writers could do no better. I am an acidic critic of education with a conviction that what often passes for education in schools of all stripes is nothing of the sort.

Armchair Warrior wrote:

Graham Hartley wrote:
Well performed, all! Professional writers could do no better. I am an acidic critic of education with a conviction that what often passes for education in schools of all stripes is nothing of the sort.

"yawn"

Hugh Jardon wrote:

alan-t wrote: i'm a darwen vale student and it is laughable that all you so called adults can make a mockery of the students at this school when most of them are high achieving and clearly since your making pathetic comments on the telegraph website you must not be at work so i guess you don't have jobs, so how can you criticise this school if you mustn't of had a good education yourself??

My Dear Alan, I would suggest that you re read your comments & reflect on how bloody stupid you now appear to be....it would seem that jumping to conclusions is quite infectious. Are all the comments mocking ALL the kiddywinkies at Vale? Err.... NOPE! Have you considered that some of the respondents may be:- 1) Retired? 2) On shifts? 3) Are fortunate enough to not HAVE to work (though do not rely on the 'state' for their money)? 4) Work from home? 5) Have access to the web whilst at work? 6) Been made redundant? You have done yourself (nor the school that you have chosen to represent) no favours by posting your comment. You appear to be under the illusion that only those with a 'good education' would be out at work during the day. Oh..for the record I'm example No4 !! & benefitted with an excellent education & qualifications. One presumes that you are not best pleased that Vale is being seen in a bad light (it's on the whole a **** good school)? If so, how often have you intervened when you have witnessed 'bad' behaviour by a fellow pupil? If you haven't, then ask yourself "Why Not?" Now..run along..there's a good lad!

dvhspupil wrote:

gazdula wrote:
Something cannot be right in Darwen Vale. How can a school that's had millions spent on it (with more to come), still not be getting 50% of students' passing at least 5 GCSE with English, Maths and Science included.
+
I also find it dire how Darwen still hasn't got a decent school. I also find it dire how Darwen Vale has ended up in the situation it is now. How can something that used to be a Grammer School be what it is now?.

Actually, Darwen Vale received a 78% pass rate; 78% of our year 11 pupils got an A*-C grade, a G.C.S.E pass.

paperview wrote:
I care for two children one attends St Bedes and the other Darwen Vale, I have to say the difference in the two schools is very disturbing. Even when Darwen Vale was located on Bolton Road pupils would be walking into the school gates with cigarettes in their mouths whilst teachers stood by talking to each other ignoring the pupils. The pupils at Darwen Vale get away with wearing anything as a uniform from leather jackets to Ugg boots at St Bedes the pupil would be turned away from the gate. I blame the teaching staff and not the pupils, if you let children think they can do what they please this is the end result. There needs to be some consistency in the ruling of the school. I was told that one child was "stoned" (from smoking cannabis) in class last week and the teacher didn't even notice. Perhaps they noticed but have now got past caring. I am sure the staff at Darwen Vale are more than capable of reaching the high standards that I see at St Bedes but it feels they have lost the will to fight the battle that has been brewing for a number of years. A lot changed when the headmistress Lynne Dunning sadly passed away in 2009, things began to slip then and have the school seems not to have made a recovery. I hope for the pupils and teachers sake things get resolved before the new school is ready.

CPB. wrote:
I agree fully with luchumphreys.. as a year 11 prefect to the school, we had an assembly earlier, and the head told us how proud she is of us all and none of that is true, and its not been an easy day for any of us, (teachers and pupils) as we have had camera men filming us to back up their point, as the reporters have NO evidence to back up their headline.

chappyhappyness wrote:
I think it would take more than a handful of pupils to bring the situation to the current point. i think the school should be put in special measures immediately .

luchumphreys wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

pupil33 wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

luchumphreys wrote: I am a student at this school and in my opinion this news story is a desperate attempt to boost newspaper sales. No Vale is not out of contorl in any shape, way, or form. Yes there are pupils who misbehave, but this is the case for any school. This is also the minority, Vale does many positive things but good news is no news. Who wants to read about teachers working hard and well behaved students? no one does. The telegraph has given you exactly what you want, drama and negativity. I think this story is awful and completely untrue, not a single teacher knew about the 'striking threats' untill this story was published and to blame our knew head teacher is a complete joke. Mrs Torpey has entered the role of our head teacher at a very difficult time and her job involves alot of hard work. There seems to be countless comments from adults calling us 'lazy' and that we do not care about education, but it was adult news reporters outside our school this lunch time inapropiatley trying to get footage of students. You all seem to have such an intelligant input of how our school should be run, how about this proposal. Stop distracting from our education with false headlines and newsreporters, and leave our school in peace!

Mmmm, If only you were correct in your comment that no teachers knew about this. One presumes you interviewed each & every one personally? Unfortunately, it does appear that there is some truth in this sad story (the fact that your Head is "treating concerns seriously" would appear to back this up). I note that it was an adult news reporter outside your school..one would have hoped it was an adult, mind you! The LT is a pile of cack (we all know that)...yet I'm struggling to find countless comments accusing the pupils of being 'lazy' etc. VALE is an excellent school..but simply mirrors society as a whole. No one is knocking you or the other decent pupils...the one's that deserve a slating are too dense to understand or couldn't give a toss. Let's see if this is all a big joke when they leave Vale with zero qualifications...

if only YOUR comment was true! The school has pupils leaving with A* and A's! Personally, i achieved an A in GCSE history in year 10, so i will be leaving with qualifications!

I'm discussing those who are creating problems..not the one's who aren't. Unless, of course, you are suggesting that being disruptive in class etc merits praise. "No one is knocking you or the other decent pupils...the one's that deserve a slating are too dense to understand or couldn't give a toss. Let's see if this is all a big joke when they leave Vale with zero qualifications..."

HUGH!! oh my dear god trying to be claver isnt becoming of you. Why do you feel the need to reply to every students comment? im speaking a hell of alot more snese than you are, of course the news reporters are adults, but my point is that its adults like you that are distrupting our education

walsh33 wrote:
Dont blame the teachers or the pupils - Blame the government and all the do- gooders and their attirude of 'we know best'. I feel sorry for the teachers whose hands are tied, and for the pupils who want to earn the right to take theiir place in society and also for the kids whose parents couldn't care less, for myself, I just want the best for my child. Going back to what AyeshaK says 'Well done girl - you seem a level headed girl - a job in the diplomatic corp would suit you.
AND for all the negative comments - 'you aint helping'

darwenlad731 wrote:

paperview wrote:
I care for two children one attends St Bedes and the other Darwen Vale, I have to say the difference in the two schools is very disturbing. Even when Darwen Vale was located on Bolton Road pupils would be walking into the school gates with cigarettes in their mouths whilst teachers stood by talking to each other ignoring the pupils. The pupils at Darwen Vale get away with wearing anything as a uniform from leather jackets to Ugg boots at St Bedes the pupil would be turned away from the gate. I blame the teaching staff and not the pupils, if you let children think they can do what they please this is the end result. There needs to be some consistency in the ruling of the school. I was told that one child was "stoned" (from smoking cannabis) in class last week and the teacher didn't even notice. Perhaps they noticed but have now got past caring. I am sure the staff at Darwen Vale are more than capable of reaching the high standards that I see at St Bedes but it feels they have lost the will to fight the battle that has been brewing for a number of years. A lot changed when the headmistress Lynne Dunning sadly passed away in 2009, things began to slip then and have the school seems not to have made a recovery. I hope for the pupils and teachers sake things get resolved before the new school is ready.

I am currently a training teacher and also a previous pupil at Darwen Vale. Whilst doing my training I get to different schools. I can honestly say every school I have worked in has a smokers corner where pupils try to get away with smoking this is no different just because it is Darwen Vale. However when I attended Darwen Vale it was defiantly an improving school and these claims were not heard of. I have been very fortunate in the way that I have managed to keep in touch with some of my old teachers and even they have admitted that this has been blown way out of proportion.

Teacher7452 wrote:
No surprise that Hugh Jardon felt the need to comment on my post, with a screen name like that can we really be bothered to take the time to read his incessant babbling anyway?

If you are as you say a parent then your screen name leads me to suggest you may be one of the parents who causes the problems.

I am glad I don't work at this school as I may have had to teach your son.

luchumphreys wrote:
I am a student at this school and in my opinion this news story is a desperate attempt to boost newspaper sales. No Vale is not out of contorl in any shape, way, or form. Yes there are pupils who misbehave, but this is the case for any school. This is also the minority, Vale does many positive things but good news is no news. Who wants to read about teachers working hard and well behaved students? no one does. The telegraph has given you exactly what you want, drama and negativity. I think this story is awful and completely untrue, not a single teacher knew about the 'striking threats' untill this story was published and to blame our knew head teacher is a complete joke. Mrs Torpey has entered the role of our head teacher at a very difficult time and her job involves alot of hard work. There seems to be countless comments from adults calling us 'lazy' and that we do not care about education, but it was adult news reporters outside our school this lunch time inapropiatley trying to get footage of students. You all seem to have such an intelligant input of how our school should be run, how about this proposal. Stop distracting from our education with false headlines and newsreporters, and leave our school in peace!

Hugh Jardon wrote:

Teacher7452 wrote:
This entire discussion is abominable and should be locked down immediately! Firstly it is disgusting that adults are arguing with children on this forum about their views on the school they attend and secondly it is unforgiveable that someone has taken this news to the press; this is an issue that should have been sorted internally.

Lynn Dunning worked herself in to an early grave making Darwen Vale High School a great school, John Lawson carried on the great work and Hilary Torpey will do the same. What this report does not do is give the reader any real information about the school.

How anybody feels they can pass judgement on this school without being there is beyond me and whoever took this news to the press should resign immediately. All the hard work that staff and others put in at this school to make it GOOD has been undone by one selfish person and their actions today.

Let’s be clear when we say that there is bad behaviour at some point in every school but it should not be broadcast in this manner to the public. The staff at The Lancashire Evening Telegraph that published this item should be ashamed. Many years of hard work building this school up has been destroyed by your need to sell papers
.
I know now that anyone reading this post will be quick to argue back! I agree that if the school was doing things right this wouldn’t have happened but in the interests of the children who wear the school uniform every day and the staff who work unending hours there we should have the decency to give them the privacy they deserve to turn this around.

Anybody who still feels the need to continue the abusive, childish and silly comments on this forum should log off and find a new hobby.

Yes miss!

However, as this is a public arena, I reserve the right to comment as I see fit.
You'll note that I am very supportive of the school- trying to close down a discussion as you may not agree with many of the comments is not healthy & smacks of hypocrisy.

I am concerned that you are trying to suggest that the former head "worked herself into an early grave".
Perhaps it may be an idea to expand on that argument?.....

3/10.

See me after school!

FattMone wrote:
We all know the our school, we know that our behaviour. This is a one sided arguments. Us students haven't had our stay. Every school has its idiots, its wrong to class us as one of the worst. In conclusion to this, we know our school better than the press.

Hugh Jardon wrote:

FattMone wrote:
We all know the our school, we know that our behaviour. This is a one sided arguments. Us students haven't had our stay. Every school has its idiots, its wrong to class us as one of the worst. In conclusion to this, we know our school better than the press.

Most on here (me included) have been saying this since the story broke.... it would seem that the 80/20 rule is proven again.

Gerrard10 wrote:
i am not being funny but i am a year 11 pupil at darwen vale and there is really nothing wrong with vale there is a good education and yes maybe there is pupils that missbehave but no matter what school you go to there is going to be missbehaviour and i dont think that it is fair lieing about vale and putting us in the front page, you are making this school look really bad, i have been at vale since year 7 and there is nothing wrong, yes they deal with behaviour properly, i enjoy being at school bcause i know that i will leave with a great education, so please just stop writing bad reviews about us the teacher are great and are here to help.

Atticman wrote:
Depending on the technology you us will depend on your spelling and grammar. I know mine is questionable but iPhones don't let you scroll back and check your text and spelling.

ValePupilFtw. wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

FattMone wrote:
We all know the our school, we know that our behaviour. This is a one sided arguments. Us students haven't had our stay. Every school has its idiots, its wrong to class us as one of the worst. In conclusion to this, we know our school better than the press.

Most on here (me included) have been saying this since the story broke.... it would seem that the 80/20 rule is proven again.

totally agree.

AnthonyUK wrote:
In my day as a kid in the 70s and 80s(before the dogooders outlawed physical punishment of children in schools),you DID as you were told,NO talking in class,NO disrespect to your elders,and any bad behaviour got you sent to the head's room for the cane,and if your parents found out that you misbehaved at school,you also got a smack at home which drummed it double into you that you couldnt get away with bad behaviour at school. Today punishments for bad behaviour at school are a joke,teachers have feeble powers to punish bad kids and sanctions are useless,the pc dogooders for kids rights have seen to that.

useyourhead wrote:

Atticman wrote:
Depending on the technology you us will depend on your spelling and grammar. I know mine is questionable but iPhones don't let you scroll back and check your text and spelling.

this should be used in debate classes, or perhaps it already is!

johnhalliwell wrote:
Being a parent of, probably, one of the culprits I am well aware of what staff have to put up with. If my child is anything like as bad at school as at home I pity the teachers. What can be done, parenting classes perhaps, that will put a stop to his daily abuse and bad attitude I don't think. I haven't a clue but I know what I feel like doing every day he lives under my roof. In his "gang" all of them are just as bad as each other back chat with effing and jeffing, smoking not just cigarettes but cannabis on a daily basis. Hands are tied as to what can be done to our offspring. Does not make me feel any better getting this of my chest the frustration is still as bad and I would not blame the teachers one jot if they did strike.

happycyclist wrote:

AnthonyUK wrote:
In my day as a kid in the 70s and 80s(before the dogooders outlawed physical punishment of children in schools),you DID as you were told,NO talking in class,NO disrespect to your elders,and any bad behaviour got you sent to the head's room for the cane,and if your parents found out that you misbehaved at school,you also got a smack at home which drummed it double into you that you couldnt get away with bad behaviour at school. Today punishments for bad behaviour at school are a joke,teachers have feeble powers to punish bad kids and sanctions are useless,the pc dogooders for kids rights have seen to that.

Well said, Ants.

karltop wrote:
I like the way that pupils from Darwen Vale, come on here to defend their school, insisting that they are getting a "great education". Unfortunately, none of them appear to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly.. The same goes for the trainee teacher further up. Are all the teachers at this school so poorly educated? If so, why are they "teaching"?

karltop wrote:
I like the way that pupils from Darwen Vale, come on here to defend their school, insisting that they are getting a "great education". Unfortunately, none of them appear to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly.. The same goes for the trainee teacher further up. Are all the teachers at this school so poorly educated? If so, why are they "teaching"?

happycyclist wrote:

johnhalliwell wrote:
Being a parent of, probably, one of the culprits I am well aware of what staff have to put up with. If my child is anything like as bad at school as at home I pity the teachers. What can be done, parenting classes perhaps, that will put a stop to his daily abuse and bad attitude I don't think. I haven't a clue but I know what I feel like doing every day he lives under my roof. In his "gang" all of them are just as bad as each other back chat with effing and jeffing, smoking not just cigarettes but cannabis on a daily basis. Hands are tied as to what can be done to our offspring. Does not make me feel any better getting this of my chest the frustration is still as bad and I would not blame the teachers one jot if they did strike.

A brave post. You should be getting some help -for your sake, for the teachers' sakes, and most importantly, for your child's sake.

darwenvale wrote:
I have been at Darwen Vale since year seven and i am only in year eight, and i already know that this school is an excellent place to be and to get taught an education
people are just posting rude comments about our behaviors, not all the pupils at Darwen vale have bad behaviors.Only a hand full of people have been and these few peoples are getting punished for there behavior in lessons, towards pupils and members of staff, our uniforms might be a little bit in correct sometimes but not all the times and its an easy solution to fix, we do not all have orange face's or legs. as a majority of girls do not use beauty products such as fake tan or make-up as i am one of them. You are not letting us pupils have a say about our school. this is our school and its a lovely place to get an education from.

Teacher7452 wrote:
Hugh you misunderstand my first post entirely, I was merely stating that Mrs. Dunning gave all of herself to the school.

You should stop trying to incite bad feeling between people in this discussion it is totally unnecessary, I have only the utmost respect for Mrs. Dunning.

You have contributed so much to this discussion and the young people who are reading this shouldn't be witnessing your tirade of abuse towards people you choose to dislike.

Please move on from my post Hugh and focus on spending some quality time with your son.

Hugh Jardon wrote:

darwenvale wrote: I have been at Darwen Vale since year seven and i am only in year eight, and i already know that this school is an excellent place to be and to get taught an education people are just posting rude comments about our behaviors, not all the pupils at Darwen vale have bad behaviors.Only a hand full of people have been and these few peoples are getting punished for there behavior in lessons, towards pupils and members of staff, our uniforms might be a little bit in correct sometimes but not all the times and its an easy solution to fix, we do not all have orange face's or legs. as a majority of girls do not use beauty products such as fake tan or make-up as i am one of them. You are not letting us pupils have a say about our school. this is our school and its a lovely place to get an education from.

you've just had your say. We all know it's the minority that are creating a ruck..it always is. pls don't take this personally,the idiot's at fault are unlikely to give a monkeys.

willsmith wrote:
All things Asian are not bad.
If a student in Asian country behaved this way, the parents would be asked to be present immediately.
The parents would demand their child apologise to the teacher and insist on corporal punishment for their child.
Now you can understand why Asians are reluctant to integrate fully.
The PC and Human Rights are eroding any sense of responsibility in Britain.

C_Barker wrote:
I'm a year 11 pupil at Darwen Vale now and it seems hard to believe that the school is any different from other similar schools within BwD. Admittedly, there are pupils who behave in the way the above article mentions but said pupils are only a fairly small minority of students. It seems unfair to judge the school solely on the behaivour of these individuals, especially considering the schools grades to date.

Graham Hartley wrote:

dvhspupil wrote:

gazdula wrote: Something cannot be right in Darwen Vale. How can a school that's had millions spent on it (with more to come), still not be getting 50% of students' passing at least 5 GCSE with English, Maths and Science included. + I also find it dire how Darwen still hasn't got a decent school. I also find it dire how Darwen Vale has ended up in the situation it is now. How can something that used to be a Grammer School be what it is now?.

Actually, Darwen Vale received a 78% pass rate; 78% of our year 11 pupils got an A*-C grade, a G.C.S.E pass.

The government's records show that in 2010 Darwen Vale pupils achieved a 53% pass rate including English and Mathematics. This was the best performance in recent years. The higher figure given by dvhspupil is flattering: an important measure is the difference between the two. It is fortunate if both figures are high and there is little or no difference between them.

harvey7 wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

darwenvale wrote: I have been at Darwen Vale since year seven and i am only in year eight, and i already know that this school is an excellent place to be and to get taught an education people are just posting rude comments about our behaviors, not all the pupils at Darwen vale have bad behaviors.Only a hand full of people have been and these few peoples are getting punished for there behavior in lessons, towards pupils and members of staff, our uniforms might be a little bit in correct sometimes but not all the times and its an easy solution to fix, we do not all have orange face's or legs. as a majority of girls do not use beauty products such as fake tan or make-up as i am one of them. You are not letting us pupils have a say about our school. this is our school and its a lovely place to get an education from.

you've just had your say. We all know it's the minority that are creating a ruck..it always is. pls don't take this personally,the idiot's at fault are unlikely to give a monkeys.

Exactly. And from what I have read from the current pupils posting, they are not understanding the original story. This is a minority problem - if it wasnt the school would have been shut down long ago. I used to see teachers receiving verbal and sometimes even physical abuse and they would receive little or no punishment - maybe a detention! Those above who can not see this problem are in denial. This was happening ten years ago and it is still happening now. It all rests on what this new head teacher and the council do about it. Yes it is your school, and was mine previously for five years, but understand that the tax payer is funding this and it would be a waste of all of the millions spent on the new school development for it to be trashed by those minority pupils.

AyeshaK wrote:

C_Barker wrote:
I'm a year 11 pupil at Darwen Vale now and it seems hard to believe that the school is any different from other similar schools within BwD. Admittedly, there are pupils who behave in the way the above article mentions but said pupils are only a fairly small minority of students. It seems unfair to judge the school solely on the behaivour of these individuals, especially considering the schools grades to date.

I completely agree, it seems some people need to keep their negative opinions to themselves. Especially when most are being proved incorrect by children.

LouisPD wrote:

karltop wrote:
I like the way that pupils from Darwen Vale, come on here to defend their school, insisting that they are getting a "great education". Unfortunately, none of them appear to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly.. The same goes for the trainee teacher further up. Are all the teachers at this school so poorly educated? If so, why are they "teaching"?

Yet again people generalize, read what I said before.

AyeshaK wrote:

harvey7 wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

darwenvale wrote: I have been at Darwen Vale since year seven and i am only in year eight, and i already know that this school is an excellent place to be and to get taught an education people are just posting rude comments about our behaviors, not all the pupils at Darwen vale have bad behaviors.Only a hand full of people have been and these few peoples are getting punished for there behavior in lessons, towards pupils and members of staff, our uniforms might be a little bit in correct sometimes but not all the times and its an easy solution to fix, we do not all have orange face's or legs. as a majority of girls do not use beauty products such as fake tan or make-up as i am one of them. You are not letting us pupils have a say about our school. this is our school and its a lovely place to get an education from.

you've just had your say. We all know it's the minority that are creating a ruck..it always is. pls don't take this personally,the idiot's at fault are unlikely to give a monkeys.

Exactly. And from what I have read from the current pupils posting, they are not understanding the original story. This is a minority problem - if it wasnt the school would have been shut down long ago. I used to see teachers receiving verbal and sometimes even physical abuse and they would receive little or no punishment - maybe a detention! Those above who can not see this problem are in denial. This was happening ten years ago and it is still happening now. It all rests on what this new head teacher and the council do about it. Yes it is your school, and was mine previously for five years, but understand that the tax payer is funding this and it would be a waste of all of the millions spent on the new school development for it to be trashed by those minority pupils.

The majority of older pupils do infact understand the situation. We are not denying that incidents you mentioned happen! We are simply trying to protect ourselves and our reputation!

AyeshaK wrote:

C_Barker wrote: I'm a year 11 pupil at Darwen Vale now and it seems hard to believe that the school is any different from other similar schools within BwD. Admittedly, there are pupils who behave in the way the above article mentions but said pupils are only a fairly small minority of students. It seems unfair to judge the school solely on the behaivour of these individuals, especially considering the schools grades to date.

I completely agree, it seems some people need to keep their negative opinions to themselves. Especially when most are being proved incorrect by children.

Hugh Jardon wrote:

Teacher7452 wrote:
Hugh you misunderstand my first post entirely, I was merely stating that Mrs. Dunning gave all of herself to the school.

You should stop trying to incite bad feeling between people in this discussion it is totally unnecessary, I have only the utmost respect for Mrs. Dunning.

You have contributed so much to this discussion and the young people who are reading this shouldn't be witnessing your tirade of abuse towards people you choose to dislike.

Please move on from my post Hugh and focus on spending some quality time with your son.

Excuse me...
You clearly stated that you felt that the late head's death was accelerated by the SUPERB work she undertook at VALE.
Will you retract that?
You then decide that I am anti Vale & the decent pupils (& teachers) that attend that school.
Totally incorrect.
You then suggest that I'm the type of parent that would likely create this kind of ruck.
Again, incorrect.
You then comment on my log in name..I have a blog that receives 20,000 hits a months- using a similar nom de plume.
It's close enough for friends who know me to see what I'm 'up to'....

You then suggest that you wouldn't wish to teach my son.
Here's a clue..he's a grade A/B pupil.
He represents the school at 3 sports & the town in one.
He isn't an angel BUT is a decent kid.
You now suggest that I'm not spending time with him....
He's sat next to me as we are watching the football on telly...we will have a quiet few minutes later, as I'm having to go abroad on business..which will help to contribute towards your wages.
If you read back, you'll note that it was you who tried to create a ruck with me...... not I with you.

Now, pls highlight my 'tirade of abuse', or apologise.

karltop wrote:

LouisPD wrote:

karltop wrote: I like the way that pupils from Darwen Vale, come on here to defend their school, insisting that they are getting a "great education". Unfortunately, none of them appear to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly.. The same goes for the trainee teacher further up. Are all the teachers at this school so poorly educated? If so, why are they "teaching"?

Yet again people generalize, read what I said before.

Yes. Read what i said, too. If i am generalising it is only because of what is being put in front of me. Based on the comments posted on this story by pupils, none of them seem "to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly..". Whether you like it or not, it's a fact!

chappyhappyness wrote:
Its a very sad state of affairs when one of the most popular comments is 'we are no different from any other school '. Why settle for being the same low level. Aim higher. But we can't do that. He the little children fall short they'll be upset and need therapy.

karltop wrote:

LouisPD wrote:

karltop wrote: I like the way that pupils from Darwen Vale, come on here to defend their school, insisting that they are getting a "great education". Unfortunately, none of them appear to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly.. The same goes for the trainee teacher further up. Are all the teachers at this school so poorly educated? If so, why are they "teaching"?

Yet again people generalize, read what I said before.

Yes. Read what i said, too. If i am generalising it is only because of what is being put in front of me. Based on the comments posted on this story by pupils, none of them seem "to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly..". Whether you like it or not, it's a fact!

pocketdragon wrote:
How is it that the pupils suddenly appear on here in defence of the report? This school has had a terrible reputation for many years and possibly only outdone by st james primary school. I think everyonecfrom government to parents have a share of blame here and if it wasnt for ostrich syndrome this wouldnt be as prolific as it now appears to be.

pocketdragon wrote:
How is it that the pupils suddenly appear on here in defence of the report? This school has had a terrible reputation for many years and possibly only outdone by st james primary school. I think everyonecfrom government to parents have a share of blame here and if it wasnt for ostrich syndrome this wouldnt be as prolific as it now appears to be.

HCrossley wrote:

karltop wrote:

LouisPD wrote:

karltop wrote: I like the way that pupils from Darwen Vale, come on here to defend their school, insisting that they are getting a "great education". Unfortunately, none of them appear to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly.. The same goes for the trainee teacher further up. Are all the teachers at this school so poorly educated? If so, why are they "teaching"?

Yet again people generalize, read what I said before.

Yes. Read what i said, too. If i am generalising it is only because of what is being put in front of me. Based on the comments posted on this story by pupils, none of them seem "to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly..". Whether you like it or not, it's a fact!

If you looked back on most of the comments displayed by students of Darwen Vale High School, I think you will find that most have been able to 'construct a sentence properly'! Stop criticising people's comments! It's not helping!

AyeshaK wrote:

pocketdragon wrote:
How is it that the pupils suddenly appear on here in defence of the report? This school has had a terrible reputation for many years and possibly only outdone by st james primary school. I think everyonecfrom government to parents have a share of blame here and if it wasnt for ostrich syndrome this wouldnt be as prolific as it now appears to be.

This is the only way we could possibly defend ourselves, perhaps we want to attempt to prove the allegations wrong? As I'm sure you would if this directly affected you and your reputation.

karltop wrote:

HCrossley wrote:

karltop wrote:

LouisPD wrote:

karltop wrote: I like the way that pupils from Darwen Vale, come on here to defend their school, insisting that they are getting a "great education". Unfortunately, none of them appear to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly.. The same goes for the trainee teacher further up. Are all the teachers at this school so poorly educated? If so, why are they "teaching"?

Yet again people generalize, read what I said before.

Yes. Read what i said, too. If i am generalising it is only because of what is being put in front of me. Based on the comments posted on this story by pupils, none of them seem "to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly..". Whether you like it or not, it's a fact!

If you looked back on most of the comments displayed by students of Darwen Vale High School, I think you will find that most have been able to 'construct a sentence properly'! Stop criticising people's comments! It's not helping!

I have looked at all of their comments and been appalled by their standard of English. Shocking.

Hugh Jardon wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

Teacher7452 wrote:
Hugh you misunderstand my first post entirely, I was merely stating that Mrs. Dunning gave all of herself to the school.

You should stop trying to incite bad feeling between people in this discussion it is totally unnecessary, I have only the utmost respect for Mrs. Dunning.

You have contributed so much to this discussion and the young people who are reading this shouldn't be witnessing your tirade of abuse towards people you choose to dislike.

Please move on from my post Hugh and focus on spending some quality time with your son.

Excuse me...
You clearly stated that you felt that the late head's death was accelerated by the SUPERB work she undertook at VALE.
Will you retract that?
You then decide that I am anti Vale & the decent pupils (& teachers) that attend that school.
Totally incorrect.
You then suggest that I'm the type of parent that would likely create this kind of ruck.
Again, incorrect.
You then comment on my log in name..I have a blog that receives 20,000 hits a months- using a similar nom de plume.
It's close enough for friends who know me to see what I'm 'up to'....

You then suggest that you wouldn't wish to teach my son.
Here's a clue..he's a grade A/B pupil.
He represents the school at 3 sports & the town in one.
He isn't an angel BUT is a decent kid.
You now suggest that I'm not spending time with him....
He's sat next to me as we are watching the football on telly...we will have a quiet few minutes later, as I'm having to go abroad on business..which will help to contribute towards your wages.
If you read back, you'll note that it was you who tried to create a ruck with me...... not I with you.

Now, pls highlight my 'tirade of abuse', or apologise.

**taps foot in anticipation**

Hugh Jardon wrote:

AyeshaK wrote:

pocketdragon wrote: How is it that the pupils suddenly appear on here in defence of the report? This school has had a terrible reputation for many years and possibly only outdone by st james primary school. I think everyonecfrom government to parents have a share of blame here and if it wasnt for ostrich syndrome this wouldnt be as prolific as it now appears to be.

This is the only way we could possibly defend ourselves, perhaps we want to attempt to prove the allegations wrong? As I'm sure you would if this directly affected you and your reputation.

A, Few commentators on here are suggesting that the school is cakk & ,likewise, the pupils. You don't have to defend yourself... As for proving the allegations wrong, perhaps you should establish who contacted the Unions and WHY? Believe it or not, we are on your side!

AyeshaK wrote:

karltop wrote:

HCrossley wrote:

karltop wrote:

LouisPD wrote:

karltop wrote: I like the way that pupils from Darwen Vale, come on here to defend their school, insisting that they are getting a "great education". Unfortunately, none of them appear to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly.. The same goes for the trainee teacher further up. Are all the teachers at this school so poorly educated? If so, why are they "teaching"?

Yet again people generalize, read what I said before.

Yes. Read what i said, too. If i am generalising it is only because of what is being put in front of me. Based on the comments posted on this story by pupils, none of them seem "to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly..". Whether you like it or not, it's a fact!

If you looked back on most of the comments displayed by students of Darwen Vale High School, I think you will find that most have been able to 'construct a sentence properly'! Stop criticising people's comments! It's not helping!

I have looked at all of their comments and been appalled by their standard of English. Shocking.

You'll find that if you read my comments not "all" of us have appalling standards of English.

AyeshaK wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

AyeshaK wrote:

pocketdragon wrote: How is it that the pupils suddenly appear on here in defence of the report? This school has had a terrible reputation for many years and possibly only outdone by st james primary school. I think everyonecfrom government to parents have a share of blame here and if it wasnt for ostrich syndrome this wouldnt be as prolific as it now appears to be.

This is the only way we could possibly defend ourselves, perhaps we want to attempt to prove the allegations wrong? As I'm sure you would if this directly affected you and your reputation.

A, Few commentators on here are suggesting that the school is cakk & ,likewise, the pupils. You don't have to defend yourself... As for proving the allegations wrong, perhaps you should establish who contacted the Unions and WHY? Believe it or not, we are on your side!

You should use "we" weakly, as it seems that some are not on our side...

Hugh Jardon wrote:

luchumphreys wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

pupil33 wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

luchumphreys wrote: I am a student at this school and in my opinion this news story is a desperate attempt to boost newspaper sales. No Vale is not out of contorl in any shape, way, or form. Yes there are pupils who misbehave, but this is the case for any school. This is also the minority, Vale does many positive things but good news is no news. Who wants to read about teachers working hard and well behaved students? no one does. The telegraph has given you exactly what you want, drama and negativity. I think this story is awful and completely untrue, not a single teacher knew about the 'striking threats' untill this story was published and to blame our knew head teacher is a complete joke. Mrs Torpey has entered the role of our head teacher at a very difficult time and her job involves alot of hard work. There seems to be countless comments from adults calling us 'lazy' and that we do not care about education, but it was adult news reporters outside our school this lunch time inapropiatley trying to get footage of students. You all seem to have such an intelligant input of how our school should be run, how about this proposal. Stop distracting from our education with false headlines and newsreporters, and leave our school in peace!

Mmmm, If only you were correct in your comment that no teachers knew about this. One presumes you interviewed each & every one personally? Unfortunately, it does appear that there is some truth in this sad story (the fact that your Head is "treating concerns seriously" would appear to back this up). I note that it was an adult news reporter outside your school..one would have hoped it was an adult, mind you! The LT is a pile of cack (we all know that)...yet I'm struggling to find countless comments accusing the pupils of being 'lazy' etc. VALE is an excellent school..but simply mirrors society as a whole. No one is knocking you or the other decent pupils...the one's that deserve a slating are too dense to understand or couldn't give a toss. Let's see if this is all a big joke when they leave Vale with zero qualifications...

if only YOUR comment was true! The school has pupils leaving with A* and A's! Personally, i achieved an A in GCSE history in year 10, so i will be leaving with qualifications!

I'm discussing those who are creating problems..not the one's who aren't. Unless, of course, you are suggesting that being disruptive in class etc merits praise. "No one is knocking you or the other decent pupils...the one's that deserve a slating are too dense to understand or couldn't give a toss. Let's see if this is all a big joke when they leave Vale with zero qualifications..."

HUGH!! oh my dear god trying to be claver isnt becoming of you. Why do you feel the need to reply to every students comment? im speaking a hell of alot more snese than you are, of course the news reporters are adults, but my point is that its adults like you that are distrupting our education

The very fact that you have to type that you are making sense, just goes to show that you just aren't. Still, you continue to deceive yourself... As for adults like me...perhaps you should open your little eyes? & note that the school has my total support...and any pupil who plays by the rules. it's the naughty kiddywinkies that are disrupting your education...saps like me just pay for it.

karltop wrote:

AyeshaK wrote:

karltop wrote:

HCrossley wrote:

karltop wrote:

LouisPD wrote:

karltop wrote: I like the way that pupils from Darwen Vale, come on here to defend their school, insisting that they are getting a "great education". Unfortunately, none of them appear to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly.. The same goes for the trainee teacher further up. Are all the teachers at this school so poorly educated? If so, why are they "teaching"?

Yet again people generalize, read what I said before.

Yes. Read what i said, too. If i am generalising it is only because of what is being put in front of me. Based on the comments posted on this story by pupils, none of them seem "to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly..". Whether you like it or not, it's a fact!

If you looked back on most of the comments displayed by students of Darwen Vale High School, I think you will find that most have been able to 'construct a sentence properly'! Stop criticising people's comments! It's not helping!

I have looked at all of their comments and been appalled by their standard of English. Shocking.

You'll find that if you read my comments not "all" of us have appalling standards of English.

You're not a student at "Vale", so stop trying to pretend to be one. You're not fooling anybody.

AyeshaK wrote:

karltop wrote:

AyeshaK wrote:

karltop wrote:

HCrossley wrote:

karltop wrote:

LouisPD wrote:

karltop wrote: I like the way that pupils from Darwen Vale, come on here to defend their school, insisting that they are getting a "great education". Unfortunately, none of them appear to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly.. The same goes for the trainee teacher further up. Are all the teachers at this school so poorly educated? If so, why are they "teaching"?

Yet again people generalize, read what I said before.

Yes. Read what i said, too. If i am generalising it is only because of what is being put in front of me. Based on the comments posted on this story by pupils, none of them seem "to be able to spell, punctuate, or even construct a sentence properly..". Whether you like it or not, it's a fact!

If you looked back on most of the comments displayed by students of Darwen Vale High School, I think you will find that most have been able to 'construct a sentence properly'! Stop criticising people's comments! It's not helping!

I have looked at all of their comments and been appalled by their standard of English. Shocking.

You'll find that if you read my comments not "all" of us have appalling standards of English.

You're not a student at "Vale", so stop trying to pretend to be one. You're not fooling anybody.

I think you'll find that I am. Surely if I don't seem like a student that proves that not all of us are illiterate as you are trying to imply. As far as pretending to be a student, i'm not sure I know anyone who would do that. Unless they were attempting to get involved in the action which does not concern them, much like yourself?

luchumphreys wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

luchumphreys wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

pupil33 wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

luchumphreys wrote: I am a student at this school and in my opinion this news story is a desperate attempt to boost newspaper sales. No Vale is not out of contorl in any shape, way, or form. Yes there are pupils who misbehave, but this is the case for any school. This is also the minority, Vale does many positive things but good news is no news. Who wants to read about teachers working hard and well behaved students? no one does. The telegraph has given you exactly what you want, drama and negativity. I think this story is awful and completely untrue, not a single teacher knew about the 'striking threats' untill this story was published and to blame our knew head teacher is a complete joke. Mrs Torpey has entered the role of our head teacher at a very difficult time and her job involves alot of hard work. There seems to be countless comments from adults calling us 'lazy' and that we do not care about education, but it was adult news reporters outside our school this lunch time inapropiatley trying to get footage of students. You all seem to have such an intelligant input of how our school should be run, how about this proposal. Stop distracting from our education with false headlines and newsreporters, and leave our school in peace!

Mmmm, If only you were correct in your comment that no teachers knew about this. One presumes you interviewed each & every one personally? Unfortunately, it does appear that there is some truth in this sad story (the fact that your Head is "treating concerns seriously" would appear to back this up). I note that it was an adult news reporter outside your school..one would have hoped it was an adult, mind you! The LT is a pile of cack (we all know that)...yet I'm struggling to find countless comments accusing the pupils of being 'lazy' etc. VALE is an excellent school..but simply mirrors society as a whole. No one is knocking you or the other decent pupils...the one's that deserve a slating are too dense to understand or couldn't give a toss. Let's see if this is all a big joke when they leave Vale with zero qualifications...

if only YOUR comment was true! The school has pupils leaving with A* and A's! Personally, i achieved an A in GCSE history in year 10, so i will be leaving with qualifications!

I'm discussing those who are creating problems..not the one's who aren't. Unless, of course, you are suggesting that being disruptive in class etc merits praise. "No one is knocking you or the other decent pupils...the one's that deserve a slating are too dense to understand or couldn't give a toss. Let's see if this is all a big joke when they leave Vale with zero qualifications..."

HUGH!! oh my dear god trying to be claver isnt becoming of you. Why do you feel the need to reply to every students comment? im speaking a hell of alot more snese than you are, of course the news reporters are adults, but my point is that its adults like you that are distrupting our education

The very fact that you have to type that you are making sense, just goes to show that you just aren't. Still, you continue to deceive yourself... As for adults like me...perhaps you should open your little eyes? & note that the school has my total support...and any pupil who plays by the rules. it's the naughty kiddywinkies that are disrupting your education...saps like me just pay for it.

do not try and patronise me. 'little eyes' ? im a year eleven pupil, standing at over 6 foot so do not speak to me as if i am some child. It seems that i am making sense seeing as alot of people agree with what i am saying. you ignored what i was trying to say, this article is a lie, and the reporters turning up at school was completely unacceptable. why dont you pay attention to what people are saying instead of wasting your time thinking of something clever and sarcastic to say back?

*Curtis_Dickov* wrote:
Having worked under the incumbent head at a previous school, I have to say, I am not surprised in the slightest at today's news Her leadership and interpersonal skills are non-existent. Add to this the fact that she seems to have more faces than Janus and you have a recipe for disaster. The financial mismanagement at her previous school has left many teachers there facing redundancy, and behaviour has improved markedly since the introduction of a new associate head who exudes presence and authority, two things she does not. For all you out there slating the staff for their actions, let me say this: teachers never WANT to strike - it is always seen as a last resort, as we have the well-being of the students as our primary concern. This fact leads me to believe that goings-on at the school have become intolerable, and the lack of effective leadership has left the staff at the end of their tether. Good luck to all staff at Darwen Vale - and may you win the fight to improve the climate for learning by standing up for the RHINO (realy-here-in-name- only) children of the school through your actions, be it by striking or not.

Teacher7452 wrote:
Thank you for making that easy for me, your most recent comment "Your huge height is irrelevant... though appears to be indirectly proportional to your IQ, though not the chip on your shoulder"

You claim to be an adult but have spent large chunks of your day "working at home" arguing with minors.

"I will repeat..you are a child...act like one..as you are no where near an adult.
Now..go to bed..."

Is this really the response of an educated adult Hugh?

Farewell Hugh and good night, take care of your foot, it has engaged in much tapping today.

Hugh Jardon wrote:

luchumphreys wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

luchumphreys wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

pupil33 wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

luchumphreys wrote: I am a student at this school and in my opinion this news story is a desperate attempt to boost newspaper sales. No Vale is not out of contorl in any shape, way, or form. Yes there are pupils who misbehave, but this is the case for any school. This is also the minority, Vale does many positive things but good news is no news. Who wants to read about teachers working hard and well behaved students? no one does. The telegraph has given you exactly what you want, drama and negativity. I think this story is awful and completely untrue, not a single teacher knew about the 'striking threats' untill this story was published and to blame our knew head teacher is a complete joke. Mrs Torpey has entered the role of our head teacher at a very difficult time and her job involves alot of hard work. There seems to be countless comments from adults calling us 'lazy' and that we do not care about education, but it was adult news reporters outside our school this lunch time inapropiatley trying to get footage of students. You all seem to have such an intelligant input of how our school should be run, how about this proposal. Stop distracting from our education with false headlines and newsreporters, and leave our school in peace!

Mmmm, If only you were correct in your comment that no teachers knew about this. One presumes you interviewed each & every one personally? Unfortunately, it does appear that there is some truth in this sad story (the fact that your Head is "treating concerns seriously" would appear to back this up). I note that it was an adult news reporter outside your school..one would have hoped it was an adult, mind you! The LT is a pile of cack (we all know that)...yet I'm struggling to find countless comments accusing the pupils of being 'lazy' etc. VALE is an excellent school..but simply mirrors society as a whole. No one is knocking you or the other decent pupils...the one's that deserve a slating are too dense to understand or couldn't give a toss. Let's see if this is all a big joke when they leave Vale with zero qualifications...

if only YOUR comment was true! The school has pupils leaving with A* and A's! Personally, i achieved an A in GCSE history in year 10, so i will be leaving with qualifications!

I'm discussing those who are creating problems..not the one's who aren't. Unless, of course, you are suggesting that being disruptive in class etc merits praise. "No one is knocking you or the other decent pupils...the one's that deserve a slating are too dense to understand or couldn't give a toss. Let's see if this is all a big joke when they leave Vale with zero qualifications..."

HUGH!! oh my dear god trying to be claver isnt becoming of you. Why do you feel the need to reply to every students comment? im speaking a hell of alot more snese than you are, of course the news reporters are adults, but my point is that its adults like you that are distrupting our education

The very fact that you have to type that you are making sense, just goes to show that you just aren't. Still, you continue to deceive yourself... As for adults like me...perhaps you should open your little eyes? & note that the school has my total support...and any pupil who plays by the rules. it's the naughty kiddywinkies that are disrupting your education...saps like me just pay for it.

do not try and patronise me. 'little eyes' ? im a year eleven pupil, standing at over 6 foot so do not speak to me as if i am some child. It seems that i am making sense seeing as alot of people agree with what i am saying. you ignored what i was trying to say, this article is a lie, and the reporters turning up at school was completely unacceptable. why dont you pay attention to what people are saying instead of wasting your time thinking of something clever and sarcastic to say back?

Legally & emotionally you are a child, You are still at secondary school. Your huge height is irrelevant... though appears to be indirectly proportional to your IQ, though not the chip on your shoulder. Are you trying to suggest that the LT have made up this story? It may be an idea to contact the editor of this rag & explain your grievance with them. I will repeat..you are a child...act like one..as you are no where near an adult. Now..go to bed...

Jack10 wrote:
As a year eleven pupil at Darwen Vale I can't seem to get my head around this whole situation. Its a fact, There are people at our school who do misbehave, are abusive to teachers but isn't this common at any school? Being a senior member of the school's prefect team, I do see kids who behave in an inappropriate manor but this is definitely a small minority of the pupils. I have been at this school now for five years and never have a seen a problem as ridiculous as this? I am 2 months away from taking my GCSE exams enabling me to have a decent future. I'm sure Plenty of year elevens will agree with me, this is a very important time for us and the last thing we want is to be disrupted of our education with silly reports suggesting we are not a very good school. Year 11 entered this school with the best results seen and hopefully we would like to leave with the best results to. I speak for the majority of the pupils at Darwen Vale should we really have pathetic news stories written in the papers about us? Camera crew's at the school gates? Disrupting our education? If the pupils are really that 'outrageous' why would we have a good Ofsted report?

Straighttalker007 wrote:
Interesting to see Hugh Jardon trying to take the moral high ground here, it would seem that Hugh and Teacher7452 would make a lovely couple.

Entertaining as it is to read all these comments a round of applause must go to AyeshaK for outshining all the adults in this discussion with her well worded, level headed comments.

You are a credit to your school.

luchumphreys wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

luchumphreys wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

luchumphreys wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

pupil33 wrote:

Hugh Jardon wrote:

luchumphreys wrote: I am a student at this school and in my opinion this news story is a desperate attempt to boost newspaper sales. No Vale is not out of contorl in any shape, way, or form. Yes there are pupils who misbehave, but this is the case for any school. This is also the minority, Vale does many positive things but good news is no news. Who wants to read about teachers working hard and well behaved students? no one does. The telegraph has given you exactly what you want, drama and negativity. I think this story is awful and completely untrue, not a single teacher knew about the 'striking threats' untill this story was published and to blame our knew head teacher is a complete joke. Mrs Torpey has entered the role of our head teacher at a very difficult time and her job involves alot of hard work. There seems to be countless comments from adults calling us 'lazy' and that we do not care about education, but it was adult news reporters outside our school this lunch time inapropiatley trying to get footage of students. You all seem to have such an intelligant input of how our school should be run, how about this proposal. Stop distracting from our education with false headlines and newsreporters, and leave our school in peace!

Mmmm, If only you were correct in your comment that no teachers knew about this. One presumes you interviewed each & every one personally? Unfortunately, it does appear that there is some truth in this sad story (the fact that your Head is "treating concerns seriously" would appear to back this up). I note that it was an adult news reporter outside your school..one would have hoped it was an adult, mind you! The LT is a pile of cack (we all know that)...yet I'm struggling to find countless comments accusing the pupils of being 'lazy' etc. VALE is an excellent school..but simply mirrors society as a whole. No one is knocking you or the other decent pupils...the one's that deserve a slating are too dense to understand or couldn't give a toss. Let's see if this is all a big joke when they leave Vale with zero qualifications...

if only YOUR comment was true! The school has pupils leaving with A* and A's! Personally, i achieved an A in GCSE history in year 10, so i will be leaving with qualifications!

I'm discussing those who are creating problems..not the one's who aren't. Unless, of course, you are suggesting that being disruptive in class etc merits praise. "No one is knocking you or the other decent pupils...the one's that deserve a slating are too dense to understand or couldn't give a toss. Let's see if this is all a big joke when they leave Vale with zero qualifications..."

HUGH!! oh my dear god trying to be claver isnt becoming of you. Why do you feel the need to reply to every students comment? im speaking a hell of alot more snese than you are, of course the news reporters are adults, but my point is that its adults like you that are distrupting our education

The very fact that you have to type that you are making sense, just goes to show that you just aren't. Still, you continue to deceive yourself... As for adults like me...perhaps you should open your little eyes? & note that the school has my total support...and any pupil who plays by the rules. it's the naughty kiddywinkies that are disrupting your education...saps like me just pay for it.

do not try and patronise me. 'little eyes' ? im a year eleven pupil, standing at over 6 foot so do not speak to me as if i am some child. It seems that i am making sense seeing as alot of people agree with what i am saying. you ignored what i was trying to say, this article is a lie, and the reporters turning up at school was completely unacceptable. why dont you pay attention to what people are saying instead of wasting your time thinking of something clever and sarcastic to say back?

Legally & emotionally you are a child, You are still at secondary school. Your huge height is irrelevant... though appears to be indirectly proportional to your IQ, though not the chip on your shoulder. Are you trying to suggest that the LT have made up this story? It may be an idea to contact the editor of this rag & explain your grievance with them. I will repeat..you are a child...act like one..as you are no where near an adult. Now..go to bed...

seeing as my IQ is 122 ill ignore you pathetic and immature comment. emotionally im a child? well what are you then? your meant to be adult so start acting like one! if im such a child, then try and set me a good example, if your speaking to such a 'child' in that way how am i meant to grow up with respect for others? So instead of telling young adults to act like children, find something positive to contribute to the community instead of boring us with your tedious, rude and pointless comments. It seems instead of telling others how to act why dont you focus on learning some manners? come back when you have, thanks.

teachit wrote:

chappyhappyness wrote:
I think it would take more than a handful of pupils to bring the situation to the current point. i think the school should be put in special measures immediately .

Are you a teacher? This situation has been going on for many years and is getting worse! Do you have to put up with verbal and physical abuse on a daily basis at work? Teachers are getting worn down by the situation and have to do something. The school(or any school) doesn't need to go into special measures, the government and management need to intervene and stop it!! Parents also have a resposibility to acknowledge the behaviour of their child! more severe discipline needs to be brought in a schools need to stop this 'all inclusive' policy. It's not fair on the teachers and on the pupils who want to learn and be successful!

Phuck Mei Banjina wrote:
It all boils down to the quality of Teachers.

Teacher10 wrote:
I notice Mrs Torpey likes to "take all allegations seriously". This sounds fine at first, after all, nobody wants to see children hurt.

But lets look at that statement another way: What she is actually saying here is that she is prepared to believe anything a kid says, no matter how rediculous the claim may be. This attitude does NOT benefit the children at all. It does the exact opposite.

I remember a story from my childhood about the "boy who cried wolf". It was a great story and it taught children NOT to make false allegations. The story benefitted EVERYONE, adults and children alike. The message was plain and simple: BE HONEST or your dishonesty will backfire.

Children of today have been brought up with quite a different moral: where there's blame, there's a claim.

There's also a claim if you rebadge your childs's misbehaviour as a "disorder" or a "sindrome". Lots of money to be had there.

I thought the BBC did a good job tonight: some pupils said they enjoyed school, others said they didn't. This is quite simple to explain:

The pupils who enjoy Darwen Vale are the same pupils who get their mobile phones handed back to them by management the moment they are confiscated by teachers. They love Darwen Vale because when they are reported by teachers, the reports are ignored by managers. They think Darwen Vale is the bees knees because their "seclusion unit" punishment is no punishment at all. They adore Darwen Vale because the moment they are penalised by teachers, the decision is quickly overuled by seniour leaders. In short, the kids can do as they please, no wonder they love it.

The pupils who hate Darwen Vale are the ones whos lives are a complete misery because of bullies. These bullies are reported by teachers but their reports are ignored by seniour leaders. They also hate Darwen Vale because their headteacher suspends their favourite teachers. They loath Darwen Vale because their lessons are consequently covered by unfamiliar supply teachers. These kids probably dont benefit either from over-cautious, stressed-out teachers, worried sick about putting one foot wrong.

dvhspupil wrote:

Teacher10 wrote: I notice Mrs Torpey likes to "take all allegations seriously". This sounds fine at first, after all, nobody wants to see children hurt. But lets look at that statement another way: What she is actually saying here is that she is prepared to believe anything a kid says, no matter how rediculous the claim may be. This attitude does NOT benefit the children at all. It does the exact opposite. I remember a story from my childhood about the "boy who cried wolf". It was a great story and it taught children NOT to make false allegations. The story benefitted EVERYONE, adults and children alike. The message was plain and simple: BE HONEST or your dishonesty will backfire. Children of today have been brought up with quite a different moral: where there's blame, there's a claim. There's also a claim if you rebadge your childs's misbehaviour as a "disorder" or a "sindrome". Lots of money to be had there. I thought the BBC did a good job tonight: some pupils said they enjoyed school, others said they didn't. This is quite simple to explain: The pupils who enjoy Darwen Vale are the same pupils who get their mobile phones handed back to them by management the moment they are confiscated by teachers. They love Darwen Vale because when they are reported by teachers, the reports are ignored by managers. They think Darwen Vale is the bees knees because their "seclusion unit" punishment is no punishment at all. They adore Darwen Vale because the moment they are penalised by teachers, the decision is quickly overuled by seniour leaders. In short, the kids can do as they please, no wonder they love it. The pupils who hate Darwen Vale are the ones whos lives are a complete misery because of bullies. These bullies are reported by teachers but their reports are ignored by seniour leaders. They also hate Darwen Vale because their headteacher suspends their favourite teachers. They loath Darwen Vale because their lessons are consequently covered by unfamiliar supply teachers. These kids probably dont benefit either from over-cautious, stressed-out teachers, worried sick about putting one foot wrong.

We love Darwen Vale because we feel we are respected and are taught to the highest standard, and in some cases, beyond that. I love Darwen Vale because the teachers are supportive; I got a D on my english test once, and instead of shouting at me for not doing good enough, my teacher told me the sort of things that I could improve on, and by the end of the month, I was up to a B. That's why I love Vale.

AnthonyUK wrote:
In my day as a kid in the 70s and 80s(before the dogooders outlawed physical punishment of children in schools),you DID as you were told,NO talking in class,NO disrespect to your elders,and any bad behaviour got you sent to the head's room for the cane,and if your parents found out that you misbehaved at school,you also got a smack at home which drummed it double into you that you couldnt get away with bad behaviour at school. Today punishments for bad behaviour at school are a joke,teachers have feeble powers to punish bad kids and sanctions are useless,the pc dogooders for kids rights have seen to that.

Straighttalker007 wrote:

Phuck Mei Banjina wrote:
It all boils down to the quality of Teachers.

Sounds like a headteacher talking, the place blame is always put is "the quality of teaching"

It is a team effort at every level and this is but one part of it.

It is far more complex than just the quality of the teaching!

ste.g wrote:

Straighttalker007 wrote:

Phuck Mei Banjina wrote: It all boils down to the quality of Teachers.

Sounds like a headteacher talking, the place blame is always put is "the quality of teaching" It is a team effort at every level and this is but one part of it. It is far more complex than just the quality of the teaching!

it seems to me its down to bad management put diciplinary procedures in place and stick to them.make no exceptions for misbehaving,foul language,assault or uniform policy.the pupils and parents will soon cotton on and adhere.once boundries are in place and everyone knows they havn"t to be crossed in any circumstances i wouldnt be surprised to see a big improvement all round.

MJT wrote:
It's about time some teachers stood up to the system en masse. What they have to put up with is absolutely ridiculous. If I walked into work and started swearing and pushing people around, you could guarantee that I'd lose my job immediately, and I'd be escorted off the premises, by the police if necessary. This is because society recognised the rights of my colleagues not to have to put up with behaviour like this. Teachers, it seems, lose those rights when they join the profession, and many of them have to put up with this inhumane abuse on a daily basis. Some parents whinge about teachers' lack of ability to control their classes, but let's not forget that some parents can't control their teenaged kids. Now imagine trying to control about 20 of them. For the authorities to then expect teachers to use "strategies" to "manage" the behaviour in the classroom without knowing what a teacher has to put up with is totally ridiculous.

teachit wrote:

*Curtis_Dickov* wrote: Having worked under the incumbent head at a previous school, I have to say, I am not surprised in the slightest at today's news Her leadership and interpersonal skills are non-existent. Add to this the fact that she seems to have more faces than Janus and you have a recipe for disaster. The financial mismanagement at her previous school has left many teachers there facing redundancy, and behaviour has improved markedly since the introduction of a new associate head who exudes presence and authority, two things she does not. For all you out there slating the staff for their actions, let me say this: teachers never WANT to strike - it is always seen as a last resort, as we have the well-being of the students as our primary concern. This fact leads me to believe that goings-on at the school have become intolerable, and the lack of effective leadership has left the staff at the end of their tether. Good luck to all staff at Darwen Vale - and may you win the fight to improve the climate for learning by standing up for the RHINO (realy-here-in-name- only) children of the school through your actions, be it by striking or not.

Couldn't agree more!!!! Staff DON'T want to strike, but what choice are we left with? Hopefully this will not be the only school in the area that does this!! Heads and ELT are paid an enormous amount of money and for what? Not for listening to THEIR staff!!! Other schools and Academies in the area also have employers that have no interpersonal skills either!!!! are they 'fit for purpose?'

OBT2 wrote:
As much as people do not want to hear this, i'm going to say it anyway. This is the state of our education system at the current time. Also, as much as it pains me to say, it is not a problem that is just part of our secondary schools either. This kind of thing happens in our primary schools. In recent months I have been left with a lovely purple bruise on my arm after being punched by a young child in a fit of rage. I can completely sympathise with the teachers in this case as the children they teach are much older than primary age, and if any carry out their threats, can cause much more damage.
The reason this is so outrageous is because the staff have chosen to consult their unions and have also chosen to take action against anything that happens, because they are fed up of the lack of support they get. There are staff at schools all over the country that go through this on a daily basis and they are either talked out of saying something or just too afraid of the repercussions as a result.
If anything is going on it's because of the poor role models they have around them, but predominently at home. These children may be surrounded by violence, drink, drugs or all of these and they come to school with the weight of the world on their shoulders so what have they go to lose? Also I imagine that these children are low achievers too, children who are frustrated that they can't achieve what their peers do, frustration that people will think they're thick or stupid. The only way they can deal with this is to behave (in most cases) inappropriately.

It's society that is creating the children of today. We should all take responsibility for their actions, but their parents should take more.

Phuck Mei Banjina wrote:
It all boils down to the quality of Teachers.

Graham Hartley wrote:
OB2 - "If a child from A (not any in particular) high school came up to you, stuck two fingers up in front of your face and then proceeded to spit in it, what would you do? How would you deal with it? I would be interested to know."

One could stick two fingers up in front of the child's face (sticking two fingers up behind a face is not easily imagined) then spit in the face.

If it seems likely that the encounter will be repeated, be prepared by carrying with you a water pistol charged with bleach, ammonia (880 if available) or any other of several such dangerous fluids. When taunted, attempt to elicit an invitation to squirt the child: it will be assumed that the 'water' pistol contains water. Then squirt. It will prove useful to have a practiced aim. More than forty years ago this ploy saved me from a beating, though at the expense of relatively minor fuss.

teachit wrote:

ste.g wrote:

Straighttalker007 wrote:

Phuck Mei Banjina wrote: It all boils down to the quality of Teachers.

Sounds like a headteacher talking, the place blame is always put is "the quality of teaching" It is a team effort at every level and this is but one part of it. It is far more complex than just the quality of the teaching!

it seems to me its down to bad management put diciplinary procedures in place and stick to them.make no exceptions for misbehaving,foul language,assault or uniform policy.the pupils and parents will soon cotton on and adhere.once boundries are in place and everyone knows they havn"t to be crossed in any circumstances i wouldnt be surprised to see a big improvement all round.

This situation has nothing to do with the quality of teachers! We work very hard to teach our children, but, when you are trying to follow discipline procedures and you don't get the full backing of the senior management and parents what are we supposed to do?! These policies need to be toughened up! AND FOLLOWED!
I presume (PMB) by your comment you are not a classroom teacher? otherwise you would understand what we have to put up with on a DAILY basis.

valebums` wrote:
I think that this is pathetic, what kind of people think that having camera's outside our school recording pupils WITHOUT their permition is going to make the pupils behave in a better manner? The more, "attention seeking" of student's did put a show on for the cameras, acting inappropriately; but this is exactly what the media wanted. This behavior would have happened at any school. Darwen vale is one of the most improved schools over the past four years in the borough. We as a school do alot of good things for our community, raising money for charitys and other events! As they say in the media, a good story never sells. They like to victimise demographics to get their money, unknowing its putting our school and our education in jeopardy! It's pathetic & selfish.

Teacher10 wrote:

valebums` wrote:
I think that this is pathetic, what kind of people think that having camera's outside our school recording pupils WITHOUT their permition is going to make the pupils behave in a better manner? The more, "attention seeking" of student's did put a show on for the cameras, acting inappropriately; but this is exactly what the media wanted. This behavior would have happened at any school. Darwen vale is one of the most improved schools over the past four years in the borough. We as a school do alot of good things for our community, raising money for charitys and other events! As they say in the media, a good story never sells. They like to victimise demographics to get their money, unknowing its putting our school and our education in jeopardy! It's pathetic & selfish.

given the authors choice of user name, the comments are not in the least bit surprising!

Teacher10 wrote:
It looks like the strike is going to go ahead. No progress whatsoever has been made through discussions. Those teachers have no choice!

avinalaf wrote:
Just a general observation, but it appears that many of the students from DVHS posting here seem to have missed the point.

And by point, I mean full stop.

Not to mention any number of spelling mistakes and use of street and txt spk (sic)

Please children....

If you're going to play with the grown ups, learn to play by their rules! Now put your iphone down and listen to your English teacher.

Graham Hartley wrote:
lovesschool - '...you cannot compare a public school with a private school.'

I can: comparisons are not forbidden. Your teachers at Darwen Vale should have instilled that.

FattMone wrote:
what has anyone achieved from this?

Mary Queen of Spots wrote:
Can we make it to 300 comments?