Pupils told "don't come back"

6:00pm Saturday 9th February 2013 in News By Peter Truman

A controversial head has been  accused of “wiping his hands” of  underperforming A-level students after  25 were told to leave midway through  their courses.
 

The pupils at Portslade Aldridge Community Academy’s sixth form have been  told they will not be welcomed back to  complete their courses in September.
 

Instead bosses said they would find  them places at other colleges in the city where they would be “better served”.
 

The academy, which is currently being led by interim headmaster James Fox, denied the move was designed to improve its exam results, instead insisting it would help struggling teenagers.
 

It said the academy regularly conducted reviews and that this one, which was requested by governors to take place after Christmas, was not linked to Mr Fox’s appointment.
 

But one mum accused the academy of dumping underperforming students instead of trying to help them.
 

Elizabeth West’s 17-year-old daughter, Tilly, is one of those who has been told not to come back next year.
 

The Hove mother said: “They are meant to support her. They are blowing hot air and wielding a hatchet.”
 

Mrs West said her daughter, who is currently studying A-levels in art, sport science and social care, was also due to resit her English and maths GCSEs but will now not be able to.
 

A spokesman for the academy said: “We have conducted a review of our sixth form students’progress to ensure that all of them were in a position to achieve employment after training, an apprenticeship, college or university at the end of their studies.
 

“In a number of cases members of staff met students and their parents yesterday to tell them that in order for them to be successful following completion of their courses this year they would be better served following courses next year that are available at other colleges in the city, but which the academy itself could not offer.”
 

The decision coincides with the appointment of controversial headmaster Mr Fox, who was behind more than 25 suspensions in the first week of this term.

 

Comments(37)

brightonearly says...
6:38pm Sat 9 Feb 13

Once again...the Argus gets so many facts wrong. Unfortunately, there are people out there who are gullible enough to believe everything that is printed. Mr Editor....try reporting on the good things that have happened at PACA as they far out weigh any negative points. Not that you have reported the 'negative' points accurately!! Don't suppose we will get to see many of the positive points in the Argus, will we?!

Report this post »

Fight_Back says...
6:58pm Sat 9 Feb 13

This is exactly how Aldridge ran Capita - now he's running schools. Ask his ex-employees about his attitude and that of his managers. Slash, burn and get rid of the weak !

Report this post »

george smith says...
7:03pm Sat 9 Feb 13

Fight_Back wrote:
This is exactly how Aldridge ran Capita - now he's running schools. Ask his ex-employees about his attitude and that of his managers. Slash, burn and get rid of the weak !
He has got rid of the last head and the kids, at this rate there will not be much left

Report this post »

Somethingsarejustwrong says...
7:21pm Sat 9 Feb 13

Fight_Back wrote:
This is exactly how Aldridge ran Capita - now he's running schools. Ask his ex-employees about his attitude and that of his managers. Slash, burn and get rid of the weak !
Perfect strategy, which should be replicated across all tax funded institutions. Value for money is what we should strive for!

Report this post »

mimseycal says...
7:40pm Sat 9 Feb 13

The future of education in this country.
We had 200 primary school academies in November 2012 and Cameron wanted another 400.
They'll be rooting for academy nurseries next ...

Report this post »

superlative says...
8:08pm Sat 9 Feb 13

This doesn't sound any different to when I was at college - if students weren't putting the work in, they were asked to leave. That's the nature of colleges as opposed to school.

Report this post »

risingphoenix says...
8:30pm Sat 9 Feb 13

Sounds like Fox is heading for another bout of 'gardening leave'...

Report this post »

Oooh err says...
9:24pm Sat 9 Feb 13

Is anyone really surprised by this?

Report this post »

chrisso says...
9:25pm Sat 9 Feb 13

Sounds like an out of control maverick in charge - I believe there is now no-one from the LEA on the board of governors, which should be quite a concern for parents.

Report this post »

mandi26 says...
11:00pm Sat 9 Feb 13

Wish we knew all the facts here, I persuming they are judging these young people after only one complete term??? Maybe he s got other plans for the new buildings ???
Sounds like the present year 11s and their parents have a lot of power in their choices for the next school year. Get those applications in for the other great sixth forms and colleges in the city quick guys.

Report this post »

Dave from Woolwich says...
7:39am Sun 10 Feb 13

Why was a pupil who was having to retake Maths and English GCSEs being allowed to take A Levels?

Report this post »

chilliman says...
8:27am Sun 10 Feb 13

Dave from Woolwich wrote:
Why was a pupil who was having to retake Maths and English GCSEs being allowed to take A Levels?
This was one of my first thoughts.

Four A-levels in what may be "soft" subjects or not. I would expect English and Maths GCSEs to be part of the basic needs for a child to progress to A-level.

There is far too much expectation of further education and of getting a degree, as an entitlement or right, whether or not it's any use for future careers.

Report this post »

Anna Phylactic says...
8:43am Sun 10 Feb 13

Dave from Woolwich wrote:
Why was a pupil who was having to retake Maths and English GCSEs being allowed to take A Levels?
Yep, crazy.

Sounds like the head has asked people to leave that shouldn't have been there in the first place. Nothing wrong with that.

Report this post »

mimseycal says...
9:08am Sun 10 Feb 13

There are any number of reasons for resitting GCSEs. It needn't necessarily mean the first time you failed. You may just want to get a better pass.

Report this post »

mr busy says...
9:15am Sun 10 Feb 13

Although there aren't that many facts here, unfortunately it is much easier to improve page pass rates by getting rid of those that need support than by actually resourcing support and thereby improving the opportunities for the learners. Is the Governing body making comment on how this is affecting the community?

Report this post »

mr busy says...
9:17am Sun 10 Feb 13

Apologies, should have read "percentage pass rates". **** spell check.

Report this post »

Dave At Home says...
9:48am Sun 10 Feb 13

From what I understand, James Fox is fully behind the sixth form students and wants them all to improve, he does not want any of them to be kicked out but wants them to receive extra learning to improve their results, this bout of selection is being implemented by Honor Wilson-Fletcher and the rest of the Governors at PACA. Seems like Aldridge is going back on his words about giving the NEET's in the area the education they deserve. I really hope B&HCC are really proud of what they have done to the local community.

Report this post »

Old Ladys Gin says...
10:24am Sun 10 Feb 13

Life is competitive and if these pupils aren't succeeding or not pulling their weight then why not get rid of them.
Schools exist to educate they are not support mechanisms for those who won't work.

Report this post »

Mr Walloff Domburg says...
10:27am Sun 10 Feb 13

6th formers are there out of choice, it is not compulsory education,

Ergo, if they are not giving it their all, so they should be kicked out.

This will ensure that those who stay will be free of distraction and slackers and hence perform better.

These kids are afterall our future doctors, dentists, teachers, lawyers, military leaders etc and other jobs which need degrees.

I fully support the head in this, He is brave and forward thinking.

Report this post »

mimseycal says...
10:31am Sun 10 Feb 13

The Aldridge Foundation ... motto "Harnessing Entrepreneurship for Social Change"

Report this post »

jackdaniels46 says...
11:17am Sun 10 Feb 13

Students who have taken exams already have the choice of a re-sit if they want to improve their grades - My year 11 daughter achieved A's but wants A*s hence is re-sitting in June.There is nothing wrong with students wanting to improve. As for asking students to leave, I think that is quite harsh after only 1/3 of the school term - maybe at the end of the year but making the decision in December would seem to be a bit hasty - from everything said about this School since Mr Fox took over it would appear that they are only interested in the best of the best which is a pity - this is a local college for local students and should remain that way - give students a fair crack of the whip before writing them off.

Report this post »

whereisthe...? says...
1:17pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Woah! Sounds like this forum is chock full of bitter, angry mothers today!!


Nothing wrong with what this guy did. Your children are not ALL precious little gems. About time some of you faced reality - your type of selfish, infantile behaviour, that you've passed on to your children, will no longer be tolerated by society.


There is nothing wrong with what this school is doing. Schools are there to TEACH NOT SUPPORT your little darlings.


YOU are responsible for everything else - discipline, support, making sure they eat and dress appropriately.


But too many cant even do that, can you? Sending teenage girls off to school in SNOW in TIGHTS and no skirts / onesies!!


Society will not put up with your psycho behaviour anymore. Things have gone too far, and now people are beginning to finally speak up.

Report this post »

Mr Walloff Domburg says...
1:47pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Well said above.

When you see all these parents smoking outside school and swearing like Irish Navvies, hardly surprising the kids grow up rude and thick.

Report this post »

davyboy says...
1:53pm Sun 10 Feb 13

if the kids are under-performing, then this is justified. they will be holding back the ones who are working well. 6th form students are all there voluntarily, and should be working to their best ability, but i have met/heard many who think it is just a 2-year doss about, to save getting a job!

Report this post »

edgladding says...
2:06pm Sun 10 Feb 13

So due to bad or non existent advice these kids will have wasted a year. Any motivation they might have had will vanish. Where will they be parked for the next sixth months? It is likely they will receive the minimum attention during the this time.Playing carelessly with kids lives at this crucial juncture in their lives is inexcusable but is the consequence of the current education regime. Re moving democratic L.g. control prevents parents from even havng the little control they used to have.

Report this post »

Dave At Home says...
2:08pm Sun 10 Feb 13

I'm surprised how many keyboard warriors have no connection with the school and therefore have no knowledge of what is going on there, making such comments.

As I said before - James Fox is fully behind the sixth form students and wants them all to improve, he does not want any of them to be kicked out but wants them to receive extra learning to improve their results, this bout of selection is being implemented by Honor Wilson-Fletcher and the rest of the Governors at PACA. Even the local councillors are up in arms at the way local students are being treated and the parents are being excluded from any meetings with the teachers/ governors in site. Maybe Mike Weatherly might have more success with his soon to be intervention how how these London outsiders are running a local school for local children.

And we wait for PACA to close the sports centre and public library in the coming year too, I wonder if the parents will be to blame for that too.

Report this post »

mr busy says...
7:44pm Sun 10 Feb 13

There it is then, lobby the Governors. Contrary to the above nonsense quoting "schools are there to teach not support", schools are there to do both and more.

Report this post »

henryman says...
9:56pm Sun 10 Feb 13

What is it with the Head's obsession with the number 25 ... 25 exclusions. 25 sixth formers asked to leave. What's next - 25 teachers sacked probably.

Report this post »

Aldridge Foundation says...
12:04pm Mon 11 Feb 13

It may interest readers to see the full statement that was given to the Argus on Thursday afternoon, not all of which is reproduced within the story.

"We have conducted a review of our 6th Form students’ progress to ensure that all of them were in a position to achieve a job with training, an apprenticeship, a college or university place at the end of their studies. In a number of cases members of staff met with students and their parents yesterday to tell them that in order for them to be successful following completion of their courses this year at PACA they would be better served following courses next year that are available at other colleges in the City, but which the Academy itself could not offer.

Under initiatives such as the Connected Schools 6th Forms scheme in the City, sixth form colleges do co-operate to offer students access to the widest range of subjects because any one college cannot provide every level and type of course in one place. PACA also has arrangements with City College and Plumpton College.

The students involved were told that next week they would be contacted by the Academy’s Vice Principal for Information, Advice and Guidance (Careers) who would ensure that they all gained access to an appropriate set of courses at one of the local colleges next year. The students were also assured that they would be fully supported this year to enable them to complete their Level2 or AS courses.

For clarification, no student is being asked to leave before the end of the academic year, or without an alternative place to study next academic year having been arranged."

The terms "don't come back" and "underachieving students" were added as headlines by the paper. They are not quotes that we have given to the newspaper.

To answer a reader's question in this thread, Brighton & Hove City Council, as the LEA, are Co-Sponsor of the Academy and are represented on the Board of Governors.

Report this post »

Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit says...
12:31pm Mon 11 Feb 13

mimseycal wrote:
There are any number of reasons for resitting GCSEs. It needn't necessarily mean the first time you failed. You may just want to get a better pass.
Even so you're asking a pupil who clearly struggles with exams to start studying for three A levels whilst at the same time still studying English and Maths for her resits. Or in other words one of the least-able students has one of the heavier workloads!

There is a lot wrong with education in this country, I'm not sure what side of the fence I'm on in this particular dispute - but if a headteacher has just saved some kids from following an unsuitable future that could see them in a few years' time with £27,000 of debt and a 'Me Too' degree then maybe he isn't the ogre some think.

Report this post »

mimseycal says...
1:54pm Mon 11 Feb 13

There is a lot wrong with education in this country. I agree with you there. But these children are a product of this messed up and messed about with education system.

Though I appreciate what you say with regards to saving some kids from following an unsuitable future that could see them in a few years' time with £27,000 of debt and a 'Me Too' degree, I am having great difficulty in seeing that as the primary motive behind the decision.

To me it smacks of we are an academy. We need good stats. These kids are likely to pull down our stats. Lets get rid before it is too late.

Report this post »

risingphoenix says...
2:08pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Aldridge Foundation wrote:
It may interest readers to see the full statement that was given to the Argus on Thursday afternoon, not all of which is reproduced within the story.

"We have conducted a review of our 6th Form students’ progress to ensure that all of them were in a position to achieve a job with training, an apprenticeship, a college or university place at the end of their studies. In a number of cases members of staff met with students and their parents yesterday to tell them that in order for them to be successful following completion of their courses this year at PACA they would be better served following courses next year that are available at other colleges in the City, but which the Academy itself could not offer.

Under initiatives such as the Connected Schools 6th Forms scheme in the City, sixth form colleges do co-operate to offer students access to the widest range of subjects because any one college cannot provide every level and type of course in one place. PACA also has arrangements with City College and Plumpton College.

The students involved were told that next week they would be contacted by the Academy’s Vice Principal for Information, Advice and Guidance (Careers) who would ensure that they all gained access to an appropriate set of courses at one of the local colleges next year. The students were also assured that they would be fully supported this year to enable them to complete their Level2 or AS courses.

For clarification, no student is being asked to leave before the end of the academic year, or without an alternative place to study next academic year having been arranged."

The terms "don't come back" and "underachieving students" were added as headlines by the paper. They are not quotes that we have given to the newspaper.

To answer a reader's question in this thread, Brighton & Hove City Council, as the LEA, are Co-Sponsor of the Academy and are represented on the Board of Governors.
Nice try...lol

Report this post »

melee says...
11:56pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Unfortunately some of the pupils are doing retakes because they have already been let down by the underperforming school. Those that have given the new regime the benefit of the doubt instead of going to other colleges are now having it thrown back in their faces, as far as I can see.

Report this post »

hubby says...
8:07pm Tue 12 Feb 13

I have just been given the headship of a school and college in Spain.
I am going to study what Fox has done................
and do the opposite.

Report this post »

ethel80 says...
12:14am Fri 15 Feb 13

Seems if we are to believe that this man wants what is best for the students then there needs to be drastic improvements to the sixth form if he needs to send to send 25 students to different colleges better equipped to help them. So he suspends 25 + of his compulsory students, gets rid of 25 of his voluntary students. Sounds like he either has a serious problem with educating his students or too much "power" for a man with very little. A sad man indeed. Here hoping this school gets some help very quickly, and people's fear of this man's bully boy tactics don't get in the way of making sure the children's education isn't interfered with.

Report this post »

ethel80 says...
12:17am Fri 15 Feb 13

Oh and if some of these students are offered Plumpton College as an alternative, take it! an excellent college that strives to help it's students achieve the very best.

Report this post »

Dave At Home says...
12:29am Fri 15 Feb 13

... and what about the 3 "local" students who had their £2000 to pay for their trip to Costa Rica but were told they could go for some "unknown reason" but the German exchange student is allowed to go? so much for improving "local" students. And the trip has been put off for a few months because one of the teachers is having a hip replacement, the school and its ethics are totally shameful. This school needs a serious looking into by a totally independent party and no cover ups... but then we are talking about a masterful PR money driven machine at work here. Bring on the new local free school, it will have more backing from the locals than PACA could ever imagine.

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree