CAMPAIGNING parents have obtained secret reports detailing the shocking conditions at a Greater Manchester school.
The documents reveal that Harrop Fold High in Little Hulton had out of control pupils, "alarmingly poor" teaching standards and rat-infested buildings which were dangerous and filthy.
Attained under Freedom of Information laws, the report describes the school as "intimidating and unsafe".
The headteacher resigned in April last year. A `super head', Antony Edkins, was appointed in September and the Salford school has since shown huge signs of improvement with truancy levels down and an upturn in pupils' behaviour.
But parents have been shocked by the content of the confidential reports, written by education watchdogs during follow-up visits after the damning 2003 inspection which had put the school on `special measures'.
The inspectors carried out six checks and noted the catalogue of problems in reports not intended to be seen by parents. But mum Shirley Jones demanded to see the findings and when school bosses refused to hand them over she turned to the new Freedom of Information Act.
Mrs Jones, who is the leader of a parents' group, has now called for a public inquiry into the mismanagement of the school.
The group is consulting lawyers about taking legal action against the school and local education authority for allegedly failing to provide their children with a good education.
Behaviour
Problems emerged just 18 months after opening, following a controversial merger.
The routine Ofsted inspection also revealed:
In one 20-minute period 19 pupils were sent out of lessons to stand in the corridor because of bad behaviour.
Many fire doors had missing windows because of vandalism
Smoking among pupils was common at break times.
The school at one stage had 18 supply teachers because of long-term absenteeism by staff.
Pupils in one technology lesson had totally lost interest with five of them making catapults to fire paper and metal pins across the room. Their behaviour went unchallenged by either the teacher or the teaching assistant.
At one stage, information was withheld from governors who were unaware the school was heading for a '500,000 budget shortfall.
Twenty nine out of 48 lessons were checked unsatisfactory. The situation at Key Stage 3 level was "dire" with only a fifth of lessons satisfactory.
In April, the situation appeared to hit rock bottom with one report saying: "Weak leadership and management have failed to improve behaviour and the quality of teaching. Instead both have deteriorated to alarmingly poor levels.
"In many of the unsatisfactory and poor lessons discipline had broken down and little or no learning took place. To cope, teachers set low-level tasks or ignored unacceptable behaviour."
After the report, head teacher Vicki Devonport, resigned. She was brought in to revive the school, which soon hit trouble with the controversial merger of Joseph Eastham High and Little Hulton Community High in September 2001.
Mrs Jones, who campaigned for improvements at the school with fellow parent Mary Tate, said: "The LEA and the previous management of the school cannot be allowed to get away with what they have done to our children. I just don't know how they can sleep at night, knowing what they have done. It is time the parents knew the truth, and these reports show the truth.
"I asked Ofsted for the reports last year and was told I could not have them as it would affect the candour and frankness of comments they make in them. I asked the school and was told by the head in November there was no case law which allowed him to show them to me.
"I got in touch with the Campaign for Freedom of Information, who advised me.
Disastrous
"We feel parents have a right to know what their children have been subjected to since the disastrous amalgamation. We are horrified by what these reports contain. For many children any improvements that may be made are too late."
Coun Keith Mann, Salford's education spokesman, said: "We are absolutely committed to making Harrop Fold an excellent school.
"The problems have been well documented. A string of measures have now been put in place and considerable change has already been achieved."
Shadow education secretary Mark Hoban has placed written questions in the House of Commons about the school.
He asked education minister and Bolton MP Ruth Kelly to make a statement on the future of the school, its financial position and when a replacement school is due to be built.
A new school building was due to be ready by 2007 on the playing fields of the existing Hilton Lane site, under a Private Finance Initiative project. But it is behind schedule.
A spokeswoman for Ofsted said any parent who wished to obtain similar monitoring reports on schools in the future would have to make an application under the Freedom Of Information Act.
She said: "These reports are usually only for the head teacher and the Secretary of State so they can see what progress is being made."
Comments
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This just reflects the standard of leadership and management at Salford City Council as a whole.
Sorry Paul but that's a cop-out to just blame the council. I know a teacher who works there and to say I wouldn't work there for a gold clock would be putting it mildly. The problems are many fold & complex but one of the major problems relating to discipline is a complete lack of parents supporting the teachers which in turn causes teachers to eventually give up bothering. In the majority of cases where a teacher disciplines a child you can bet your life the next minute they find themselves being verbally abused and threatened by an arrogant
parent. My own child goes to school and cannot understand it when she gets in trouble from me if she has been in trouble with teacher - she says I should be like the rest of the parents and be down the school raising hell if the teachers dare to tell a kid off. It is precisely this appalling attitude that is directly contributing to discipline problems in all our schools.
Comments in M.E.N. highlight difficulties all round. The merger of the two schools was a disaster waiting to happen - so Salford Council is culpable in some ways. Hindsight points to disastrous past senior management appointments. But agree with Jackie that many parents must accept blame for allowing their offspring to ruin a school, to demoralise and to drive out dedicated staff. Would suggest that present headteacher has an uphill struggle to get things right so best wishes to him and any survivors from the past school regimes for doing what they know is best for their school community. Who says that teaching is an easy option?
Parents at this school do support their children, they do care and try to help teachers. The school needs real funding, real investment not headlines in newspapers telling the whole of Greater Manchester how badly its doing.
when it was in the pipe lines that these two schools were merging i were dead against it was on the action group went to all the meetings but made no different . at the end of the day harrop fold school is not the only school in the country with problems but at least they are doing something about it my daughter goes to harrop and is in all the top classes the merger as not affected her education
Am I alone in asking why these so called dedicated parents who will go to so much trouble to gain documents allow their precious charges to stay at a school that is so bad? There are many other schools in the location so why have they not used some of their energy in moving their children? Surely they are as much to blame as anyone for ruining their childrens education.
I admire Shirley Jones and Mary Tate's persistence in obtaining such embarrassing information about the school. Having a number of friends that have recently worked or still work at Harrop Fold I am saddened to know that this is only the tip of the iceberg. It's no surprise to most people that most of the problems sprung from the amalgamation. Salford LEA and the management of the school at the time of the amalgamation have to share the blame for the sudden downward spiral of the schools performance. I praise the efforts of the current leadership of the school as he has obviously made good in-roads in turning the school around. I only hope he gets the full support he needs from all his staff as well as Salford LEA.
the woman who is making this story against the school has a daughter who still attends harrop fold high school, if the problem is this bad then she would have changed her daughters school by now. the school isn't that bad as it is made out to be, these problems are in the past and have been dealt with since the arrival of the new head teacher Mr Edkins.
I have daughter currently in year 10 at Harrop Fold, who, in the main is very happy with the way the school is progressing. She tells me that there is hardly any disruption from pupils in class, bad behaviour is not tolerated, most of her work is interesting and stimulating, and she feels that the school is a much nicer place to be since Mr Edkins joined the school.
Sadly, splashing headlines across local papers, claiming that pupils are 'out of control', and teaching is 'alarmingly poor' does not encourage any self worth for either pupils or teachers. Negativity breeds negativity.
Sensationalism such as this has driven large numbers of parents to re-locate or avoid Harrop Fold, this in turn reduces the funding available to the school, making it more difficult to balance the budget at the end of the year. Something has to give....
Why can't we (including the parents action group) channel our energies into supporting the school? Why can we not read about the good things that happen on a daily basis in the school?
The more the school is forced to defend itself against sensationalism so it follows it is less able to focus on its priorities.... OUR CHILDREN.
I really do struggle to understand just what ego trip Shirley Jones and Mary Tate are on, presumably, getting themselves into the paper and being a local 'celeb' is more important than actually doing something useful that would really help the school and our children.
The people to blame for the state of affairs that happened THREE years ago were Salford LEA. They were told at the time of the merger that their plans were hastily put together and not thought through properly but they didn't listen. Other options were not looked at, the parents and staff were not consulted properly they just bulldozed it through. And now they have to live with it. Well no, actually they don't have to live with it. It is the teachers and the students who have to live with it. The staff and students at Harrop Fold are working all the hours possible to put the school back on the right track. And they are succeeding. I have friends and relatives who work at the school and I know how hard they are working. It is disgraceful that the school is now being pulled down because one publicity seeking parent cannot support them but is more willing to kick them in the teeth.
I am disgusted to hear yet again that mrs Jones is causing more trouble. Since merging with Joseph Easthams 4 years ago she has been stiring trouble. If she is so concerned about our school, (yes our school as every other pupil in Harrop Fold will back me up) then why is her daughter still attending? She is the reason why people think Manchester is so rough, she is an embarrasment to us all and she needs to stop making alligations she can not back up. I am in yr 11 now and will soon be leaving. I don't want to leave as i enjoy it so much, especially with all the rats and the broken windows and the non- existent teachers. I would like to just say that the school can not be doing so bad as i am predicted 5 A-C grades and 3 A* grades, as are alot of students. If mrs Jones would like to critisize My school again, i suggest she thinks this time before embarrasing herself by opening that foul mouth of hers. finally Mr Edkins is the BEST thing to happen to our school for a long time, he has made school enjoyable and respectful again, yes he is a 'superhaed' because he has done amazing things for us in his short time at Harrop Fold. If reporters want to print this rubbish, then i suggest they come into school and witness the 'disgraceful' behaviour for themselves, then they can retract the nonsense they have published and show mrs Jones for what she is.
Thank you
The Harrop Fold Parents Action Group would like to reply to the individuals who obviously have not checked the facts before making ill informed comments. We can show them the absolute proof that we now have, that even the 'powers that be' cannot deny. It is not our group of parents that are saying all these things about the school; it is the likes of Ofsted and the DfES in these official reports and letters. These will never be available generally to parents. All we are guilty of us is raising genuine concerns and of instigating much needed support and improvement at the school for the benefit of all pupils, parents and teachers.
These are official documents that the 'powers that be' including the school have refused to show parents and now we know why. They tell the true state of the school and are horrific to read. As parents we send our child to school expecting they will receive the standard of education they are entitled to, in an environment that is safe and clean. None of that has been the case. However, as parents of current pupils at the school we would rather know the full truth than continue to listen to the lies and failed promises that we have since the school amalgamated in 2001. Sadly our children are 'stuck' there because there is nowhere else for them to go. Many parents have tried desperately to get their children out to other schools but have been unable to.
Those responsible for allowing this to happen and for allowing it to continue despite the many warnings from Ofsted should be held accountable for what they have done to our children. They should be ashamed. It has to stop now before hundreds more are affected
It is thanks to the H.F.P.A.G and our constant campaigning since the school went into special measures in July '03 that the school is now beginning to get the help it deserves and that includes Mr Edkins to Head the school. We have to hope that he can turn this school around. This would have happened a lot sooner and less children would have been affected had we have had more support. It is our group who wrote to Charles Clarke MP then Education Secretary and asked him to intervene. We received a rare and personal reply (dated 27/11/03) stating he too was greatly concerned. He appointed a Government Official to look into the concerns raised. He sent an email dated 15/4/04 stating 'Your great concerns about the school are fully justified'. A letter from Gtr. Manchester Police dated 8/4/04 backs up our concerns about pupil safety.
The school has had millions of pounds of public money but we still have a failed school in special measures and not the 'school of excellence' we were 'promised'. The Ofsted reports state the school now has a 'projected budget deficit of half a million pounds'. Where has all that public money gone? The new school 'promised' for Sept. 2007 will not be ready and no date is given. The merger should never have gone ahead but no one listened when those who objected predicted this would happen. Our children have paid the price with their education.
No child, parent or teacher (past or present) should have to go through what those at Harrop Fold School have. Ofsted state that few children have received the education to which they are entitled. For lessons to be learnt we need a public inquiry and have asked for this. Mark Hoban MP Shadow Education Minister has tabled questions to be asked in Parliament. We urge all parents to read the reports, which we will show them. Don't take our word for it. Read the facts for yourselves. Don't your children at least deserve that?
Mrs Shirley Jones - Chair of the Harrop Fold Parents Action Group
So Ms Jones has reports that are now 3 years old. So what? And it's her group that forced a change?!!? If so celebrate the success stop harping on about the past. The story she has to tell is so past it's sell by date - chanel your energy into something more positive.
how dare u slag off my school by trying to make yourself look really good saying that ofstead have agreed, no they have not we are making improvement and there is nothing wrong with it. your probably only sticking up for foul mouthed mrs jones because shes a relative or friend but she is PATHETIC!!! with capital letters. why she wants to moan ill never know. can someone please tell her that she needs to sort her own life out before trying to destroy ours. i hope Mrs jones you have read this because you will known that every school has its problems but harrop fold is perfectly fine. you thought it was fine to send your daughter there so whats so wrong with it. how can documents say what a school is like unless they are from the people who are at the school, ie teachers, pupils, dinner ladies. they cant and you know they cant so stop showing yourself up AGAIN and start behaving like a 60year old that you are.
thank you.
Ms Jones the past is the past the future is the future your writing about the school when if you consist to write these comments the school will be shut down and you will ruin all chances for the children at that school. As you said your self all your comments are about the school emalgimating and i know as a student that the school had their off days but now Mr Edkins has took over the school is more on track than it has ever been before the staff and pupils are furious with what you are writing and why cant you come and see for your self stop reporting bad comments about the school and come and see the progress the school and the students are making. Come on its a new year a fresh start so why dont you look for yourself.
can i just say that i think mrs jones is being terribly SAD and PATHETIC and needs to GET A LIFE. how can you say many parents have tried desperatley to take their children out of harrop fold? if they were so concerned they would not have took no for an answer, or they would nopt allow them to go to school. BUT, as there is many students still at school i think it cant be that bad, do you? Mrs jones is the reason why our school has not progressed as quickly as it could, because everytime the school improves she finds something else to moan about and makes us all feel really bad. she would not like it if someone did it to her, so why do it to us. she you was slagging the school off and it's pupils so mrs jones your calling your own daughter. i can assure you that you have just opened a can of worms for yourself and my school because now you are going to have alot of angry pup[ils, and parents annoyed at you and im affrain no one will take you seriously. they will see you for what you are, a greedy, attention seeking fool. i just hope everyone else see's what she is before she ruins the school. thank you very much for your time
The parents of harrop fold school pupils have never spent a day in are school and i can say it is a good school. I enjoy going to school and are head teacher is the best he listons to your problems and sorts them out . Like i am in the school council and me and other disscus what we can spend on the school . If you have any idears what will make the school better email me HARROP FOLD school is the best !
I THINK MY SCHOOL IS VERY GOOD EVER SINCE MR EDKINS AND OTHER TEACHERS CAM NEVER SLAG MY SCHOOL OFF
I THINK MY SCHOOL IS VERY GOOD EVER SINCE MR EDKINS CAME TO THE SCHOOL IT HAS MADE TEACHING SO MUCH FUN ALL MY LESSONS ARE RELLY EASY I CAN LEARN MORE IT HAS REALLY CHANGED I LOVE IT XXX thankyou mr edkins for your help it has made educatin funxx
Harrop Fold is a really good school now Mr A Edkins has come. BUT no perent or inspector can criticize us because they dont even come this school and they dont know what it is like. I never used to get on with the head (Mr Edkins) and i dont know if he liked me or not but we never gave up on eachother .Ur rather with us or against us .P.S OUR SCHOOL IS THE BEST ! ! ! !
I THINK SCHOOL IS REALLY GOOD KNOW MR EDKINS HAS COME HE HAS MADE SCHOOL ENJOYABLE AND FUN SO ID LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO MR EDKINS AND ALL THE OTHER SENIOR MANAGMENT AND TEACHERS THANK YOU SIR
WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A BIG SHOUT OUT TO MR A EDKINS , MR A POVEY BECAUSE THEY HELP US OUT AND MADE SCHOOL REALLY ENJOYABLE AND A SAFE PLACE TO BE WHEN OTHER TEACHERS WAS NOT THERE TO HELP US MR EDKINS AND MR POVEY WERE SO THANK YOU BOTH
i agree with the other pupils i feel that the school is better and parents do not know what is it like now . it may have been bad and pupils doing wrong things but now it's safer so dont diss my skool and i think the teaching is good
Harrop Fold is a great school so dont slag our school off . our school is da best since mr edkins and other senior managment came such as mr povey. they have made our school grat and a fun place to be. mr edkins is mint he help us if we have any promblems mr povey deals with behaviour and he is doin a great job i look up to him and respect him the most he has help me in every way possible cause im was one of the pupils who brought the school down but mr povey soughted me out because i respect him and look up to him and he deals with me if i get into any trouble thank you mr povey and mr edkins mr povey uyour the best . HARROP FOLD IS THE BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!
i think harrop fold has improved since mr edkins arrived. He is a great headteacher and made the school a better place. He has brought loads of new teachers for example mr povey who is one of the senior managements and is a great teacher!!! I would disagree with anybody who slags the school off as i think it is a different place to last year. I enjoy going to school now and think it is well better!! Mr Povey is fit aswell he's gorgeous and robyn hamilton thinks so aswell ha ha robyn!!! so's alex in the l.s.b Taylorxxxxxxx Harrop fold is the best!!!