My school is terrible! What should I do?

Question

I go to secondary school and I'm in year 10, a vital year - Ist year for my GCSE'S, but my school is falling to pieces! We've recently got a new headteacher for the new school year and it doesn't seem like he is doing anything!
Our old head teacher was ok, and quite strict and generally used to be interested in students' achievements. He also patrolled around the school area in the morning's to deter people from vandalising/smoking, which I found was very good of him. Our new one doesn't do any of that - not only do people smoke around the school area, but also within school and one even in a classroom - but in the end she did get expelled for that!
My classes are also awful - I have no english or maths teacher because they are both ill - and it sounds fairly long term. My science teacher is jamaican and she doesn't know how to control the class. Our old headteacher needed to recruit new teachers - so he went to Jaimaica to do this - which I don't believe is right.

Not only is he taking them from their home, but this also deprives children over their from education. Also it must be strange for them to work in totally different environment that their used to - so they don't seem to be able to adapt. It's not that their not nice, but they don't understand the system.
We get endless substitutes for these subjects and these in my mind are the most important. I'm a hardworking student and don't believe I deserve this.
I'm also ashamed to say which school I'm from, because we have a bad reputation in the area and I'm sure most of you know my school, as it has been in the news recently - you know the boy who smashed the window and put it on youtube?
What should I do? I don't want to move schools - as I'm quite shy and feel that I wouldn't be able to adapt to a new environment and make new friends, but I am planning to leave after year 11 and go to a new college. What should I do in this time?

Answer 1

You go to school to get a good education, this school isn't providing that for you. You do sound mature and obviously are keen to do well. You can talk to people about having things changed but to be honest sweetie, you are one of very few who will give a stuff, and by the time things are changed to a point where you're learning is to the standard it ought to be, you will be long gone, and without the education that you deserve. Changing school doe seem like a sensible choice given the circumstances. Don't worry too much about making friends, the great thing about GCSE's is that you've picked your own subjects, meaning you will end up with people who have similar intrests as you. And despite that, you can keep in touch with all your friends of course but the important thing is that you get the best education possible. In 10 years time when you're in a job you love, you'll thank yourself for putting your schooling first.
All the luck, you have a hard few years to go, as you've figured already I'm sure.

Answer 2

I cannot really recommend anything, as you will just be fighting against the authority which you can never win. The only thing to do is use your resources to pass your exams and improove your results, such as using local libraries and many study sites on the internet, wikipedia seems to offer a wealth of information.

Stay away from the shi*theads who will just end up on the dole or in dead-end jobs. Your question is well written and better than many that are posted by adults, so I'm sure you have the talent to get through this.

Answer 3

Your question shows that you are an eloquent and mature student and it would be such a waste if your school failed you now. You won't be able to do anything on your own so maybe you should be making bigger waves - contact the press - John Clare at the Telegraph or the Times Educational supplement or even the Department for Education, Ofsted inspectors.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck with it

Answer 4

School is one of those horrible places that nobody likes, and to be honest what happens in school isn't important for the rest of your life. I know that everyone is always banging on at you saying how important school is but honestly, you won't even remember most of it later!
Just go to college, get some qulifications, then you can go to uni if you like, and you're sorted. When I was at school I used to just remind myself that this isn't my real life, that when I'm older I'll be doing so much more important things, and I'll have forgotton all about it.

Answer 5

Get your parents and your friend's parents to write to your local authorities. You could also raise awareness by writing to a local newspaper, or starting a blog following the school's progress. Just do anything to raise awareness, then you can get something done about it.
If it's any consolation, you'll get priority over students with the same grades from private schools when you apply for university.

Answer 6

The quick fix which carries an element of risk is to change schools. Even if your existing school changed course tomorrow, it could take two years+ to turn it around - time you cannot afford to lose.

Answer 7

Your only recourse, I'm affraid is to change schools. This is not an easy thing to do, butit sounds like your school is close to, if not already being on a list for closure or restructuring.

Answer 8

ok, i thought that my school was awful until i heard that!! but why don't you move school and do you GCSEs there, because you will be able to do most, if not all of the GCSEs that you are currently studying.

Answer 9

You state that you are quet and shy !
I see the opposite to be the case.
If you have so much gusto, you should not have a school problem !
Bob.

Answer 10

Welcome to the Tony Blair world,,do you feel he and his government have failed you?
You sound like you have a sensible head on your shoulders,,we become a politician and change what's happening to this country before we have no country left