tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post3591387786073879553..comments2023-10-16T08:37:22.742+00:00Comments on An incredulous eye on the isles: Castlebay schoolElectricCrofterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495260997875836669noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-41961414084195026472010-08-08T13:48:37.315+00:002010-08-08T13:48:37.315+00:00Its not disturbing, its disgusting and shames the ...Its not disturbing, its disgusting and shames the whole islands.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-38787155998198196222010-08-08T10:55:45.559+00:002010-08-08T10:55:45.559+00:0010:28 If right, then those results are highly dist...10:28 If right, then those results are highly disturbing and the school has, well, failed.<br /><br />Are there any links to any online official resources that give these results?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-8025843773116787272010-08-06T22:28:59.713+00:002010-08-06T22:28:59.713+00:00Castlebay school
12 sit English Higher
10 fail
2 ...Castlebay school<br /><br />12 sit English Higher<br />10 fail<br />2 pass<br /><br />Education the CNES way<br /><br />LIFE CHANGINGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-1785243369978721562010-05-03T23:50:17.108+00:002010-05-03T23:50:17.108+00:00Does the CNeS know that our head teacher was AWOL ...Does the CNeS know that our head teacher was AWOL in Oban at the dancing competition until tomorrow.<br />Pity castlebay school was not a dancing school, if it was all pupils would have top marks. I see there is stil RETIRED primary teachers going in there, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GOVERNMENT POLICY REGARDING PROBATIONER TEACHERS GETTING FIRST SHOUT, CNeS must have lost that piece of legislation. Me thinks its time to get the lawyers in and sort this mess onca and for all, as for the last blogger 12.17 I think it high hopes. Would be nice though it were true!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW COUNCILLORS AND ELECTED MEMBERS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-82206217653090076512010-05-01T12:17:33.479+00:002010-05-01T12:17:33.479+00:00Hurray !!! We've actually got the CNeS on the ...Hurray !!! We've actually got the CNeS on the run. I think they have finally realised that they have messed up with Castlebay school. I think the next few weeks are going to be very interesting. Look out for resignations or payoffs!!!!!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-71931836126319613702010-04-24T22:40:55.249+00:002010-04-24T22:40:55.249+00:00having just read the WHFP today, i'm saddened ...having just read the WHFP today, i'm saddened and angered to see that yet again our councillors seem to pretending that castlebay school has very few problems. <br />If these so called representatives actually took an interest then maybe they would take the education committee on a field trip to Barra and ask those who have flagged up the issues, what they are and think about resolving them.<br />Just seems like the same old players, stuck in their same old ways. what a poor lot they are in sandwick road.<br />SHAMEFUL BUNCH OF USELESS GOOD FOR NOTHINGS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-7441782302377419452010-04-21T22:36:22.792+00:002010-04-21T22:36:22.792+00:00With all the comment on this blog, why have'nt...With all the comment on this blog, why have'nt the Council done anything yet to help? I believe Mr chishom has cancelled his trip to Barra yet AGAIN, wonder why? This problem is far bigger than the local management can deal with or sort out,it far beyond thier capabilities, Surely their job is to teach the kids not solve the problems caused by the council and councillors. Why are'nt they getting support from CNeS. This just proves that the CNeS are incompetent and do not care about Barra kids, all they are interested are shutting schools. WATCH OUT EOLIGARRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Calum Crofternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-8430544621792495682010-04-14T20:59:05.797+00:002010-04-14T20:59:05.797+00:00Blogger @ 1.01 the only thing being undermined tha...Blogger @ 1.01 the only thing being undermined that really counts is the ongoing failed education of children year after year after year.<br /><br />No professional educator and no-one with the best interests of children at heart could reasonably object to external expert advice on how to turn around a situation of crisis in a school – for that is what it is. That expert advice is not available locally and too many failed years have passed letting down children to continue to gamble with their education.<br /><br />Staff within the school who have the interests of children’s education and who are achieving at the required level obviously have nothing to fear from outside expertise. Those who perhaps are not achieving can only benefit from external expert advice and guidance. Thus, the school wins, the teachers win, the school’s management win, the community wins and crucially, fundamentally the children win. No-one loses; it is a significant no-brainer!<br /><br />The point you make about CNES is rather confused, when the reality is rather simple: at a senior managerial level they are inept and disinterested in matters that affect Barra. Close examination of how they have all but ignored the problems in the school at officer and member level evidences this. <br /><br />Please try and remember it’s the children’s education that matters first, second and last.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-84712123614332780412010-04-14T07:32:31.328+00:002010-04-14T07:32:31.328+00:00To 1.01pm, this is and has never been a witch hunt...To 1.01pm, this is and has never been a witch hunt or 'whispering campaign' as you suggest; it has on the other hand been about the abject failure of CNES to deal with issues as they developed within the school. To suggest otherwise is to attempt to deflect and personalise the whole issue. Let me say that again: the issue is with CNES!<br /><br />My children have been to several other schools in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland so I have some understanding of how things happen elsewhere. Therefore when I see how little useful and meaningful support Castlebay school have received from CNES it leaves me to question the competence of CNES to deal with Education.<br /><br />As for the concern being as issue with a small minority of parents, I suggest you spend some time talking to them, I certainly have and those that show an interest have expressed their horror at the level of education. This from a school that has a pupil teacher ratio similar to a fee paying school! One of my children having sat a particular exam came home saying that the questions in one section meant nothing to her. On going through her work it was discovered that the teacher had 'missed' this section of the curriculum! That is, in my opinion professional incompetence. In any other profession questions would be asked and an attempt would be made to deal with the issue. In this case the school and CNES denied it could possibly happen. If you do not want to see a problem, you don't and this is why the school is now in the mess its in.<br /> <br />Just a final thought; if the PC had not started to make a fuss where do you think the school would be at the next HMIe visit? Might I suggest, pretty well where it has been for the last few years and politics aside that is unfair on the children.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-40934020820676092942010-04-13T13:01:30.040+00:002010-04-13T13:01:30.040+00:00to 8.58 & Calum Crofter 11.10,
Do you both rea...to 8.58 & Calum Crofter 11.10,<br />Do you both really condone undermining the entire Castlebay School Management team BEFORE they have a fair crack at the whip? Lets just remember for a second that there is not just the 1 person running the School. I seem to recall that there was only positive vibes when it was announced that S.Foreman was to be the deputy head, and I did not hear any negative rumblings when C. Henderson was drafted onto the management team either so why is it now that they should all be told to take a back seat while CNeS rustle up a superteacher that is going to come in and magically sort everything out at the school within 12 months! Cant you see that the suggestion of external help is driven by people who dislike A MacLean so much that they (and sadly you) are ignoring the abilities and damaging the morale I might add, of the other staff in management. <br />I hate the situation at the school. I too have kids there and I dont want them to suffer educationally however, I am also a realist. I have had plenty of experience in dealings with CNeS and in every other walk of life they are slow to react and will consider every conceivable option before committing to anything. More often than not they do exactly the opposite to what you want them to do because, and only because, you (or the school in this instance) are a very small minority and it would not benefit the community as a whole (their community is the entire Western Isles population) to invest so much time and effort into you when more impact per pound spent can be achieved elsewhere. I suspect they will ride out this situation and quieten the PC every so often by throwing them a bone by giving them a bit of attention now and then but behind the scenes I suspect that they are working with the present management to try and get some positive things happening. This is happening but so many parants dont appear to acknowledge anything positive because it flies in the face of their determination to get A. MacLean out. We should be supporting the current management team not knocking it. Here is a headline to be proud of..."Local teacher steps up to save local kids future education"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-56639760265602312072010-04-11T23:10:33.340+00:002010-04-11T23:10:33.340+00:00Reply to 8.58. This is what we've been telling...Reply to 8.58. This is what we've been telling the CNEs, it will not take much to turn the school around. bring in an independent (NOT FROM CNEs)someone who will sort the place out, our kids are too precious to ignore or let down, they deserve the same education as anybody else. I look forward to the good headlines. CASTLEBAY COMMUNITY SCHOOL, PROBLEM SOLVED. hows that for a headline. come on CNEs you can do it, don't let us down again.Calum crofternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-60215114867928298712010-04-09T20:58:23.074+00:002010-04-09T20:58:23.074+00:00Judy Rapoport,
Thank you so very much for your rea...Judy Rapoport,<br />Thank you so very much for your reasonable, considered and knowledgeable contribution. As a parent who is not on the parent council, has no local allegiances and is led blindly by no one, I currently fear greatly for my children's future education on Barra. The stark evidence is there for everyone to see in the repeated HMIe reports and, locally, from ongoing information flowing from the school<br />To those who have no agenda other the actual education of children on Barra and a desire to see some of the loveliest, brightest children you could imagine being treated equally and respectfully regardless of their abilities and being given every opportunity to achieve all that they can, it has been obvious for some time that CNES do not have the expertise, perspective or desire to turn the school around. <br />There is a simple non-controversial and proven solution: bring in outside education management expertise and give Barra children, parents, teachers and the whole community the school they all deserve.<br />Imagine the easily achievable headline: “Remarkable turnaround in less than a year: Barra school excels in all areas”.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-64287916364026485862010-04-08T22:13:09.795+00:002010-04-08T22:13:09.795+00:00Reply to 12.45
correct me if i'm wrong but I d...Reply to 12.45<br />correct me if i'm wrong but I did'nt see any parents or kids being blamed in the HMIe report. The parents are'nt teaching the kids, but maybe they should, they might get a decent education!, like Mr Low. What a fool he was'nt!!!!!!!!!!.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-35222163058407713372010-04-08T09:20:10.130+00:002010-04-08T09:20:10.130+00:00Here was me thinking that most of the people on Ba...Here was me thinking that most of the people on Barra were called McNeill and not anonymous.Scottnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-84516706562976582962010-04-07T16:52:00.811+00:002010-04-07T16:52:00.811+00:00As a retired teacher with 25 years experience in s...As a retired teacher with 25 years experience in senior posts I have followed this blog with interest, some sadness, some dismay and some disgust. However the vitriolic, vindictive anonymous contribution of 3.45 p.m. has made me submit an entry in my own name. I have no axe to grind: I have no children in the school; I do not know any of the teachers professionally, and only socially in passing. But I do have experience of small secondary schools, and of working in a school with a serious management problem. I will also own up to having coached two bright young people about five years ago who wished to improve their grades in one of the most essential exams, and was horrified that even two weeks before the exam they had not yet completed the syllabus. Why?<br /><br />Small schools in isolated locations present their own problems. No doubt so does teaching and living in the same small community. But we are not talking about an inner city school with large classes of poorly motivated pupils.<br /><br />In-service training is invaluable, both in-house to look at issues within the school, but also, subject based training. To get away from one’s own school, and meet up with other teachers with the same specialist subject is energising, and teachers can return to their school with renewed vigour. No doubt getting away from Barra for training must be much more difficult than less isolated areas.<br /><br />Having been a teacher/governor for many years and sat on many interview panels, I have found the interview process for head teacher of the all-age Castlebay School incomprehensible. I realise that education north and south of the border are run independently and some procedures will not be the same. However I was used to headship interviews where the governing body interviewed the first ‘short list’ of candidates and shortened the list; then heads of the various education departments and the chair of governors interviewed the revised list at County Hall. I understand the interview panel for the most recent appointment of head teacher at Castlebay School consisted of four councillors, two parent council members and one education office official in an advisory capacity. Is this normal Scotland wide practice, or Western Isles practice, or just good enough for Barra? Then the head teacher appointed had neither secondary school training nor experience. Is this normal practice in Scotland or normal for the Western Isles or just good enough for Barra? Again I have no axe to grind: I just do not understand the logic. <br /><br />Isn’t it clear that parents and pupils have valid concerns about the education being provided? Does anybody really think that given time, the problems will be resolved in-house? And how long must the current pupils wait? Are ‘We’re not the worst school in the islands’ or ‘ Do our results compare to the national average?’ appropriate yardsticks to measure achievement? Is that all ‘anonymous 3.45 p.m.’ expects the pupils to achieve? Is that good enough for Barra’s children? Isn’t it reasonable to expect results from the Barra schools to be above the national average?<br /><br />Congratulations to the parents who have got the problems into the national arena. Nobody gets that involved for fun or devilment, but out of real concern for their children’s future and long term, the island’s future. It’s sad that they had to go to these lengths to be heard.<br /><br />My mother had to go away from Barra to boarding school in 1932 to continue her secondary education. Is this what Barra’s young people are going have to do again?<br /><br />Will the articles in the press stop teachers from applying for posts in Castlebay? I doubt it. With some imaginative, aggressive and prominent advertising of posts nationally, hopefully vacant posts will be quickly filled.<br /><br />Let’s hope rapid and sustained positive intervention from an outside source can restore the morale of all involved and that something good for the pupils, teachers, parents and the whole community comes out this mess. <br /><br />And what is it to do with me? Shouldn’t education concern everybody in a community?Judy Rapoportnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-40622958014644659652010-04-07T09:09:02.187+00:002010-04-07T09:09:02.187+00:00It is pointless everyone slagging off the parents ...It is pointless everyone slagging off the parents and children in Castlebay school or whisperers if there are such people, in my view all who have real concerns have been very vocal, and quite rightly so. The problems have not been highlighted or caused by the parents or children. The HMIe team have highlighted the faults that have been discovered so far, and that is their job. End of story!!!!!Captain Sensiblenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-54640484754474817092010-04-07T01:50:01.337+00:002010-04-07T01:50:01.337+00:001150pm,
I can only reiterate that your first parag...1150pm,<br />I can only reiterate that your first paragraph is written as it is because the Parent Council told you it is that way, unless you are 1 of the whisperers. <br />As for any connection to the HM? well i am not family and nor do i consider her a friend (very clever of you to try to distance her from the community by suggesting that only family or friends would support her) but i do respect her for having the "balls" to try and correct years of damage previously done and even more credit must go to her for being thick skinned enough to put up with what you and your colleagues throw at her. Incidentally, Since when did you or anyone else on the PC become qualified to question her credentials? Next you will be suggesting that doctors, nurses, police, firemen, army and civil servants need to convince a biased community based interview panel of their abilities prior to their employ. Ridiculous.<br /><br />Nice touch to finish on you political stance though! Ms Grant would be proud! I like the way you left the reader with your true reason for replying. Since when has labour been spelt C H R I S T I A N? <br /><br />1245pm<br />Thank you. <br /><br />745pm<br />Attack! Attack! Attack! Insult me all you want but here is hoping that you made sure there was plenty of room at Lioniclete because that is where you and your handlers are are taking us. <br /><br />I am a parent and I believe that Castlebay School has a very good chance of turning round the years of damage done to it. Furthermore, I am prepared to give the present management time to do just that. I am sensible enough to know that some of the inherent problems that the new HM inherited simply cannot be erased in a day or even a month and that I, as a parent MUST trust that the current staff at the school want the best for our children. Do the HMIe in their last report condemn the school or do they suggest it is moving in the right direction compared to the first report a few years ago? You need to read the whole report to get that and to me it reads that it is, not what your beloved<br />PC tell you, which is concocted from abstract extracts they dug out. <br /><br />Finally I need to finish with Annonymous 1030pm who I will refer to as confusious.<br />He say...<br />there are 3 kinds of people.....<br /><br />those that make things happen.<br />those that watch things happen.<br />those that dont know whats happening.<br /><br />1.WELL! yes those that make things happen are truly working their little socks off to generate as much negativity as possible.<br /><br />2.Everyone likes to watch a good scandal!<br /><br />3. This PC DONT know what is happening as they are blinded by the venom of their personal grudges. Lioniclete, here we come!<br /><br />I was told to not bury my head like an osterich and smell the coffee! Seems to me that me and 1245 are having a cup whilst looking at a multitude of headless backsides pointing at the sky.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-75462813615108379982010-04-06T22:12:54.981+00:002010-04-06T22:12:54.981+00:00"Western Isles Young Persons' Joint Liais..."Western Isles Young Persons' Joint Liaison Committee" (JLC)<br /><br />On the theme of involving children and young people in the islands (and especially Barra) in constructive dialogue with the Comhairle about contemporary matters and issues of concern (eg Castlebay School), I suggest this item be placed on the JLC Agenda for their next meeting. More info on this newly formed liaison group:<br /><br />"A new era in young people’s participation in the democratic process is underway with the first ever meeting of the Western Isles Young Persons’ Joint Liaison Committee. The Committee agreed that Catriona Stewart would be Chairman and James Buckley would be Vice-Chair. The Young Persons’ Joint Liaison Committee has sixteen members (eight young people and eight elected Members of the Comhairle). <br /> <br />The establishment of the JLC is seen by the Comhairle as a first step to more meaningful engagement with Young People to inform Comhairle decision making and policy making.<br /> <br />The Committee’s remit is to act as a forum to undertake consultations with and ascertain the views of young people in na h-Eileanan an Iar; to present proposals for the development of initiatives of interest to young people in na h-Eileanan an Iar for consideration by the Comhairle; and to consider and to make recommendations on matters relating to the funding of such initiatives, the encouragement of participation, the training of youth leaders, outdoor education and community education in na h-Eileanan an Iar.<br /> <br />The two representatives from Barra were Bonnie MacNeil and Simon Muir. The next meeting is due to be held in Uist after Easter.<br /><br />May I suggest that the YP from Castlebay School who have been using this blog to register their strong protest (responsibly, in my view), should ensure that the two Barra YP's reps on this newly-formed JLC are properly briefed before the next meeting, being held in the Uists.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-50101266686477725862010-04-06T19:54:47.885+00:002010-04-06T19:54:47.885+00:00Reply to 3.45
WHAT PLANET ARE YOU ON. If you don&#...Reply to 3.45<br />WHAT PLANET ARE YOU ON. If you don't think there is a problem with Castlebay school them you are an ostrich, go and bury your head in the sand, as for the 2 barra men in politics what have they done for the island??? Bugger all!!!! thats what. They are to blame for the mess up there, they put someone who has'nt got a clue in chage of the school, think its time you went to live on Mars and take CNES with you>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-5369055934590427972010-04-06T12:45:00.746+00:002010-04-06T12:45:00.746+00:003.45
You are not alone in the wilderness. Take co...3.45<br /><br />You are not alone in the wilderness. Take comfort from those that have seen a vocal and abusive minority of parents claiming to represent the community but are for perfectly legitimate reasons not prepared to put their head above the parapet.<br /><br />It is all too easy to blame the council, teaching staff, and politicians without looking too closely at the track record of behavior of some of the parents and pupils.<br /><br />In many respects the issues with the school reflect the way in which a vocal minority can skew the perception which non islanders may have of any local organisation if it were subjected to the same level of biased scrutiny.<br /><br />The school, and the community, has many strengths and will no doubt weather the current furore; lets learn from the past and not live in it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-32636465788843970652010-04-05T23:50:40.341+00:002010-04-05T23:50:40.341+00:00REPLY to 3.45
As a parent I have not, nor will I e...REPLY to 3.45<br />As a parent I have not, nor will I ever be a member of the Parent Council as it is just not my thing, but I do respect and support the effort they are doing to improve Castlebay school, god bless them. The place is an absolute shambles and so is the Education department in Stornoway.<br />I can only summise that you are either a very good friend of the HM or family and obviously have no children in secondary. The thing is, she is not the only problem, wake up and smell the coffee. You are such an ostrich, there must be a sandpit close to your house so why not go and do what ostriches do best. I have already commented on this blog and will continue to do so until castlebay School gets sorted out(think I'll be here for a while). I think you are bewildered about the so called 4 whisperers?. I know for a fact of at least 12 parents that have commented on this blog and off their own backs,not prompted or listened to anyone else, but by the fact that their kids have been let down by castlebay school and CNES. I think you should go and bark up onother tree, cause you are definately barking up the wrong one here. By the way the elected members will definately NOT be elected in the next election, SNP what a joke.(by the way I was a staunch SNP all my life but no more) I will vote for Christian party this year and watch the result.Angry Barra Parentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-3916083200031798742010-04-05T22:49:59.214+00:002010-04-05T22:49:59.214+00:001202am.
Why on earth would I come along to these p...1202am.<br />Why on earth would I come along to these parent council meetings when they are clearly all about personal attacks? I do not wish to act in such a way nor do I want to be represented in such a way. You must be on the parent council as your reaction was to protect it and then suggest I am an idiot. I should not have expected anything else really.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-34677617150939607132010-04-05T18:03:20.392+00:002010-04-05T18:03:20.392+00:00I am a parent in Castlebay scool and over the past...I am a parent in Castlebay scool and over the past few days have been heartened to hear of the progress made with the director of education. <br />Unfortunately, I was disappointed when I saw negative comments back on this wonderful blog today.<br />I find it really upsetting that people think that parents care more about politics than children and have to hazard a guess that this said individual is not a parent.<br />As for the last comment why do you not just name the alleged 4th whisperer as you seem to know an awful lot more than a mere, concernerned parent as myself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-11683426193132815482010-04-05T14:24:28.367+00:002010-04-05T14:24:28.367+00:00to 3.42,
Thankfully someone speaking out at last b...to 3.42,<br />Thankfully someone speaking out at last but there is only the 3 whisperers and 1 of them has a long CV of closing schools and anythings else she touches.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-38316219841222901232010-04-05T00:02:28.688+00:002010-04-05T00:02:28.688+00:003.45pm???
I am not sure if you are a parent or not...3.45pm???<br />I am not sure if you are a parent or not but I AM a parent and feel more than qualified to speak out (for the first time) to support my children and the Parent Council of Castlebay school. Not only are the Parent Council doing a great job and highlighting the problems of Castlebay school (all for nothing - no big fat pay Cheque!!) but they are supporting the majority of the parents. Where are the parents who are supporting the council? Where are the elected councilor or MP of Barra? Do not insult me by making sweeping statements about what is happening in Castlebay school when you are clearly not coming to any of the meeting - that just makes you look stupid!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com