Forum Topic

ArkActonAcademy - optimism for the future

Five years ago we chose Acton High for our daughter's secondary education because we felt the school focused on developing all of its pupils in all directions. There was a sense that every child mattered; no hopeless cases, no child overlooked because they were doing 'okay' and no student held back due to the needs of others. It's an ambitious aim, not always achievable, and doesn't guarantee table-topping GCSE results, but the ethos appealed to us greatly and has, on many occasions, been successfully implemented. So, last year our second daughter followed the first into the school. It's no secret that the school has suffered several knocks over the past year, largely down to certain individuals who are no longer present, and in some ways lost its way. Throughout this time, however, Acton High was been kept afloat by a group of outstanding teachers (not least our current Head, Ms Stewart) who remained committed to the welfare of the children and, in often challenging conditions, went above and beyond the call of duty to help our children achieve all they possibly can. Thankfully many of these superb teachers have remained in place during the transition into Ark Acton Academy. Now we have a new management in place, committed to bringing much-needed stability and calm to the school, I am hugely optimistic that this, married with Acton's great teachers and attitude of tolerance and inclusivity,  can offer a truly outstanding education for our children.Parent of Yr 8 & Yr 11 students

Louise Murray ● 2751d7 Comments

As a teacher who have taught there on a sipply basis and also parent of a past student, I felt that the school have had a bad reputations, various factions and leaderships in the past 15 years or so. Overall I felt that most of the staff are doing their very best for the good of the students under extreme conditions and difficult circumstances. It was a Very good local comprehensive high school in the past and since various changes to the school system by various Central Government and Civil Service tinkering. It got lost in the maze of the various Educational reforms and reincarnations.At a long period of time various "left wings" views parties hijacked the school and steer their own agenda on to the table, which deeply disrupted the excellent work and efforts of the staff and school greatly. Thus ignoring and distracted the purpose of why we are all involved in Education. - IMHO - I thought we are here to teach/educate the next generation and help them to succeed.(IMHO) - I resent the idea of the "Academisation" of any school, for the sake of profits over benefits to the students . It is effectively a kind of franchising system of schools. Any clear directions of travel and way ahead is better than the same olde, same olde.Wait and see, give it a chance. Let the staff do their work and continue with their excellent hard work and efforts.Leave any politics and personal "agenda" aside.The future of the students are MORE important!Remember what we are supposed to be in the Education profession for...The Students.At the same time parental supports and partnership working are equally important factor in the success of any school.

Jim Wong ● 2743d