Parents' help needed to prevent school rampage repeat (From Daily Echo)

Parents' help needed to prevent school rampage repeat

2:00pm Tuesday 21st October 2008 in News Photograph of the Author By Corey Stephenson, Senior News and Video Reporter

Oasis Academy: Mayfield

Oasis Academy: Mayfield

IT IS up to parents to stop a repeat of the ugly scenes when up to 150 children went on the rampage at a city school.

That is the message from the city's education chief after pupils at the Oasis Academy Mayfield caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage, smashing windows and wrecking televisions.

The damage happened after a protest by students about how the school was formed by merging Grove and Woolston Schools got out of hand.

Southampton’s Cabinet member for education Peter Baillie said parents who knew their children were planning to protest should tip off teachers to avoid more trouble at the academy, formed from a merger of Grove Park and Woolston schools.

Meanwhile, principal Ruth Johnson, who was unavailable to answer questions directly yesterday, issued a statement saying disruptive pupils had been punished.

She added that the support of parents was needed to end the problems that have blighted the school since it was founded in September.

As revealed in yesterday’s Daily Echo, witnesses told how windows were broken, televisions wrecked and ceiling tiles torn down when pupils on the upper school site in Woolston left on a trail of destruction.

Related links

Pupils go on rampage at city school

It is understood a number of pupils were immediately excluded from the school.

As previously reported, angry pupils have been protesting against the changes which resulted in two schools merging across two sites, with Years 7, 8 and 9 being taught at Grove Park and Years 10 and 11 at the Woolston site. Yesterday both parents and pupils spoke out, blaming the disruption on the unwanted merging of the schools and the lack of help from staff at the school.

As previously reported, angry pupils have been protesting against the changes which resulted in two schools merging across two sites, with Years 7, 8 and 9 being taught at Grove Park and Years 10 and 11 at the Woolston site.

Yesterday both parents and pupils spoke out, blaming the disruption on the unwanted merging of the schools and the lack of help from staff at the school.

Parent Martine Staples, from Weston, said she was so disappointed with the new school that she had taken her Year 8 daughter Stacey out and enrolled the 12-year-old at nearby Chamberlayne Park.

“I took action because she was getting bullied. I spoke to teachers but they just didn’t seem interested. “She had her best year academically at Woolston last year, but now she is just begging to leave and some of her friends have already made the move.”

Cllr Baillie said: “I would hope parents who may know their children are planning to disrupt learning for other pupils would contact the school and work with the teachers and staff.

“There is a small minority of ringleaders causing trouble and they have some hangers-on that should really not get involved.

The school has taken steps against some of these pupils and I believe the problems will stop very soon.

Mrs Johnson added: “The actions I took last week give out a strong message that we will not tolerate any disruption which could harm the education of the majority of students.”

Teaching unions have threatened to take industrial action if improvements are not made.

Previous trouble at the academy this term includes an allegation that a pupil threatened a teacher with a knife in a classroom last week. Police investigated the incident and said the pupil was reprimanded.

See today's Daily Echo for the full story

Comments(103)

AngrySotonResident says...
9:16am Tue 21 Oct 08

She added that the support of parents was needed to end the problems that have blighted the school since it was founded in September

No chance, a majority of parents and children protested about this acadamy coming to southampton and disrupting our childrens education.

Our protests although been fruitless were accurate and the children a falling behind rapidly.

I find it very odd that the head of the school was not available to answer questions. Is this because she knows deep down that this acadamy is going to be a failure for the future? I also understand from my daughter that a teacher is leaving the school this week due to the mismanagement and poor organisation of the school.

At the start of the year it was the year 7s that had all the resources available to them, WHY?
Because it is this year year 7s that will be the acadamies first GCSE students that have gone all the way through the school. They don't care about the students above the year 7s and this is going to reflect on the league tables next year.

My daughter was excelling in a majority of her lessons and she was achieving top marks during test. After starting in this new acadamy she comes home depressed and feels that the level of education currently being provided is substandard and very very poor.

As a parents point of view we would receive regular comments and newsletters on the progress and activities within the school. Since the opening of the acadamy we have recieved nothing apart from a letter to which the subject was about, yes the year 7s and their parent evening. Well I have news for you my daughter is in year 9.

We never wanted this merger in the first place and feel we have been let down by the local education authority.

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Forest Resident says...
9:18am Tue 21 Oct 08

Whilst questions MUST be asked of Ms Johnson and the management of Oasis Mayfield, it is indeed correct that any discipline issues with regards to childrens behaviour can only be addressed by parents and then reinforced by the school. Parents cannot expect schools to do the parenting for them, and if a child has been brought up to believe that rioting will bring about change, then the parenting of that child has clearly been inadequate in the first place.

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balanced view says...
9:20am Tue 21 Oct 08

Councillor Baillie should be supporting parents and pupils to demand changes that will allow teachers to teach and pupils to learn.
I agree that the disturbance sounded dangerous and many staff and pupils were frightened, but it is also obvious that many pupils are frustrated with Oasis, because they are not getting as good a deal as before, their exam grades are at risk and they feel they are not being listened to. Pupils say that they are not listened too or spoken too as concerned young adults. Do not blame the teachers, as by all accounts they just do not have the time to do anything more than be busy rushing from one classroom to another or from one school to another. Surely there is a School Council -if not, why not?
Someone is not listening!!

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crazyworld says...
9:27am Tue 21 Oct 08

As I said in the other thread, parents and the public sohuld be getting BEHIND the school. I understand people are upset & angry about the merger but it makes sense, for the education of our children, to move forward and work together.

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Tom Bargate says...
10:16am Tue 21 Oct 08

Why is Councillor Peter Baillie getting involved? It was his decision to give these schools to Oasis so that they could be run independently of the Council. He has no role to play here.

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goard says...
10:24am Tue 21 Oct 08

Whatever the reasons for merging two schools, hello there! has no one respect for merging two societies together. Yes, they are two separate societies. Children usually follow in their siblings footsteps and to break up this uniformity is tantamount to breaking the ties to communities. So what is the education authority trying to achieve? Most kids need an education to read and write. If they reach out to higher education, for goodness sake let teachers observe and report on this. We cannot all be college or university fodder - we, actually, would be proud to have our kids shine in plumbing than being forced into academic brilliance. That is where we, the U.K. want to be. Academedia will shine where ever it is possible. In the meanwhile, we have to have these 'want to be plumbers'. I go off at a tangent - but please bear with me - train our kids for 'proper jobs'. something we all want to turn to. Let the academics do their academic things!

goard

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localangrymum says...
10:36am Tue 21 Oct 08

I feel that we must stand up for our children. I have a pupil at this school(woolston site), and feel that the kids have been let down at every step of the way. Right from the mixing of the two schools to the basics of every day lessons. The kids are bound to be very angry with the way they are being dealt with, this is supposed to be their most important years, or so we have been told on numerous occasions, and have been promised loads only to be let down at every possible occasion, I can see why they are very angry. A typical week for some of the kids is - 1st find out if your WK1 or WK 2 timetable, and not on day 10(another ridiculous idea). Lessons!!! - Cooking - not allowed to actually cook until FEBRUARY!! (by then they'll be told that they have not all been as good as expected, so therfore won't actually cook!) - P.E. - a joke! Kids coming from the grove site had very good facilities, and now have more or less none ( when asked previously before the schools joint, we were told that this was not going to be a problem and that the pupils would be bused to the facilities, has this happened NO). Apx 30 kids at one time all have to share a gym with apx 6 gym pieces of equipment, or a table tennis table with no nets, great. On this so called 10th day pupils were asked to choose an activity that the would maybe like to participate in eg, Bowling, climbing etc, but now I have been told that this will probably not be happening because there are no city school buses, as the school was probably so disorganised that they hadn't booked early enough, so the only way to get the children to these activities was to use private coaches at a cost of £250 per coach, something the school is not prepared to do. Ok they might not have the money for this, I can understand that, but they have the money to have large (40") LCD TV's plugged in, but not working!! This is just a few examples of what are frustrating these kids, this is not a bunch of kids that have nothing to moan about, it just seems to be falling on deaf ears. As for the Principal, Ruth Johnson, you probably won't be able to get a comment from her, as she's too busy driving from one site to the other!!
sorry for the rant, but this is all happening to our children, and the don't even mix the kids from the old Woolston & Grove Schools, make sense to you?

I feel that we must stand up for our children. I have a pupil at this school(woolston site), and feel that the kids have been let down at every step of the way. Right from the mixing of the two schools to the basics of every day lessons. The kids are bound to be very angry with the way they are being dealt with, this is supposed to be their most important years, or so we have been told on numerous occasions, and have been promised loads only to be let down at every possible occasion, I can see why they are very angry. A typical week for some of the kids is - 1st find out if your WK1 or WK 2 timetable, and not on day 10(another ridiculous idea). Lessons!!! - Cooking - not allowed to actually cook until FEBRUARY!! (by then they'll be told that they have not all been as good as expected, so therfore won't actually cook!) - P.E. - a joke! Kids coming from the grove site had very good facilities, and now have more or less none ( when asked previously before the schools joint, we were told that this was not going to be a problem and that the pupils would be bused to the facilities, has this happened NO). Apx 30 kids at one time all have to share a gym with apx 6 gym pieces of equipment, or a table tennis table with no nets, great. On this so called 10th day pupils were asked to choose an activity that the would maybe like to participate in eg, Bowling, climbing etc, but now I have been told that this will probably not be happening because there are no city school buses, as the school was probably so disorganised that they hadn't booked early enough, so the only way to get the children to these activities was to use private coaches at a cost of £250 per coach, something the school is not prepared to do. Ok they might not have the money for this, I can understand that, but they have the money to have large (40") LCD TV's plugged in, but not working!! This is just a few examples of what are frustrating these kids, this is not a bunch of kids that have nothing to moan about, it just seems to be falling on deaf ears. As for the Principal, Ruth Johnson, you probably won't be able to get a comment from her, as she's too busy driving from one site to the other!! sorry for the rant, but this is all happening to our children, and the don't even mix the kids from the old Woolston & Grove Schools, make sense to you? localangrymum

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Mr E says...
10:43am Tue 21 Oct 08

It sounds like there is a lot more going on here than is being reported.

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sholingmum says...
11:19am Tue 21 Oct 08

I have been told by my child who is on the Woolston site that the protest was not about the two schools merging, but about the fact that no-one is listening to them. The students all seem to be getting on with each, just one or two niggles. Fights after school have been old grievances which have carried on from before the schools merged.

When is someone going to actually listen to what the students have to say, after all it is THEIR education that is being affected and THEIR GCSE grades that will suffer.

A lot of the disruption during lessons is due to students not having in-lesson support (I understand that all learning support assistants are at the Grove Park site).

I agree that all Mrs Johnson's attention seems to be geared towards the Year 7s because they are her "babies". Yet I attended a parents meeting just after she was appointed where she stated that the Year 11s would be her priority because the Academy would be judged on exam results in the short term, in other words next year when our kids get their results. She needs to get her priorities right; LISTEN to the students, not just randomly exclude - Oasis is supposed to be about INCLUSION! That stupid red "circle" that looks like an pre-school child has drawn is called the "circle of inclusion" would you believe. The kids are disrupting lessons, running amok, walking off site, being rude, etc deliberately to get themselves excluded so that they don't have to go to school.

And Mrs Johnson you need to listen to ALL the students not just the prefects YOU appointed. They are not a true representation of the school.

Surely Southampton City Council are still involved in the education of all children; why are they not investigating this further? Mr Chalk talking to the kids in assembly about a girl, a chicken and a goose? WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT? Even my child didn't know.

PLEASE WILL SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE DO SOMETHING - our kids will end up having to do an extra year at college to get their grades and this in the long term will be extra tax payers money needed by colleges.

I have been told by my child who is on the Woolston site that the protest was not about the two schools merging, but about the fact that no-one is listening to them. The students all seem to be getting on with each, just one or two niggles. Fights after school have been old grievances which have carried on from before the schools merged. When is someone going to actually listen to what the students have to say, after all it is THEIR education that is being affected and THEIR GCSE grades that will suffer. A lot of the disruption during lessons is due to students not having in-lesson support (I understand that all learning support assistants are at the Grove Park site). I agree that all Mrs Johnson's attention seems to be geared towards the Year 7s because they are her "babies". Yet I attended a parents meeting just after she was appointed where she stated that the Year 11s would be her priority because the Academy would be judged on exam results in the short term, in other words next year when our kids get their results. She needs to get her priorities right; LISTEN to the students, not just randomly exclude - Oasis is supposed to be about INCLUSION! That stupid red "circle" that looks like an pre-school child has drawn is called the "circle of inclusion" would you believe. The kids are disrupting lessons, running amok, walking off site, being rude, etc deliberately to get themselves excluded so that they don't have to go to school. And Mrs Johnson you need to listen to ALL the students not just the prefects YOU appointed. They are not a true representation of the school. Surely Southampton City Council are still involved in the education of all children; why are they not investigating this further? Mr Chalk talking to the kids in assembly about a girl, a chicken and a goose? WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT? Even my child didn't know. PLEASE WILL SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE DO SOMETHING - our kids will end up having to do an extra year at college to get their grades and this in the long term will be extra tax payers money needed by colleges. sholingmum

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NICK PAYNTER says...
11:24am Tue 21 Oct 08

MY SON HAS JUST BEEN EXPELLED FROM THE OASIS ACADEMY, ALTHOUGH HE HAS HAD THE BACKING FROM NUMEROUS TEACHERS SAYING HE WASN'T INVOLVED IN THE RIOT THAT TOOK PLACE AT WOOLSTON. HE HASN'T EVEN BEEN GIVING THE CHANCE TO HAVE HIS SAY ON THE MATTER. WE HAVE TRIED ON A FEW OCCASIONS TO CONTACT RUTH JOHNSON TO DISCUSS THIS BUT SHE IS ALWAYS UNAVAILABLE TO SPEAK TO US, ITS LIKE SHE IS THE MD OF ICI RATHER THAN A HEAD MISTRISS OF A SCHOOL, SURELY KIDS EDUCATION MUST COME FIRST, MY SON WAS DOING WELL IN LESSONS AT GROVE PARK AND NOW ALL THAT AND HIS FUTURE HAS BEEN PUT IN JEOPARDY BY A POWER CRAZY WOMEN. SHE NEEDS TO START LISTENING TO THE KIDS AND THEIR PARENTS. IF SHE ISN'T UP TO THE JOB SHE NEEDS TO GO AND LET SOMEBODY WHO IS CAPABLE, DO THE JOB, IE MR FREEMAN.
IF AT ANY POINT I THOUGHT MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN SMASHING UP THE SCHOOL, THE LEAST OF HIS PROBLEMS WOULD BE BEING EXPELLED.

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wizzle says...
11:30am Tue 21 Oct 08

Mr E wrote:
It sounds like there is a lot more going on here than is being reported.

Thers a whole lot more going on that hasnt been reported. But unless you are a parent of the school, no one knows. There are some very valid points made above, and its a crying shame that my son also has fallen behind dramatically due to lack of staffing and no facilities. False promises that have not been kept ect. When you go into the school, there are no signs of any work on display from the children, just large posters about the oasis academy and the changes it makes.
It was lovely walking round last year seeing all the work the kids had done....but now nothing!
Who is the school for anyway....the kids i thought!
The system is an absolute shambles, with so many children been affected and so many being so unhappy.
I know of one child who was suspended for something minor 3 weeks after the incident happened...Why?....b
ecause paperwork had to be filled out....the parents were not even aware that the child was in trouble. Its a total disgrace and needs to be sorted quickly.
We as parents should maybe somehow hold a meeting were the head and teachers can all attend and answer questions and the local media could be present also. I can see this being sorted out for a lomg long time.

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wizzle says...
11:34am Tue 21 Oct 08

Mr Freeman was always available and stood at the gates at the end of the day.
Ive never even seen Ruth Johnson!!!!!!

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year11parent says...
12:03pm Tue 21 Oct 08

At long last we are getting a chance to speak out!! Oasis you are not working .RUTH you are a waste of space within a school - you would make a good politician. I have worried over this merge since it started i even came to the meeting in march at eastpoint centre. (does anyone remember that!!)eager to have my questions answered- but mrs johnson would not even give anyone with a point the time of day , i have written to her i have emailed her and still no replies. My son is also failing at the woolston site so Mrs Johnson who knows what it is like to raise teenagers what is your answer now???? EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON , AT LEAST NOW THE REST OF SOUTHAMPTON CAN HEAR ABOUT THE MESS OF OUR CHILDRENS EDUCATION.

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D.a.v.e says...
12:18pm Tue 21 Oct 08

balanced view wrote:
Councillor Baillie should be supporting parents and pupils to demand changes that will allow teachers to teach and pupils to learn. I agree that the disturbance sounded dangerous and many staff and pupils were frightened, but it is also obvious that many pupils are frustrated with Oasis, because they are not getting as good a deal as before, their exam grades are at risk and they feel they are not being listened to. Pupils say that they are not listened too or spoken too as concerned young adults. Do not blame the teachers, as by all accounts they just do not have the time to do anything more than be busy rushing from one classroom to another or from one school to another. Surely there is a School Council -if not, why not? Someone is not listening!!

Whilst i agree with most of what you say, i would like to point out that the teachers are not being blamed here. The teachers fully sympathise and share with the pupils frustrations.
I also think that unless the echo are prepared to obtain factual comments from a spokesperson at the school instead of off the cuff remarks -they should step back from this, because this story is clearly bigger than they can handle.

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Condor Man says...
12:22pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Eric Freeman is a good man, I've worked for him and although we had our differences I respected him for his devotion to the school and the boys in his charge. Ruth Johnson's face fit with certain big wigs at the LEA and was supposed to be the shoe-in candidate for the job at Bellemoor before being rejected by the school on the retirement of the excellent Bob Paterson.

It seems to me that although Mrs Johnson ticks the boxes she lacks the personal skills to win over the parents.

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Zoeeee93 says...
12:23pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Mrs Johnson has expelled students for having there say. This isnt fair because they wasnt even involved in the riot.
She ruined Cantell school and now shes ruining my school.

Also, the parents are not going to stop us protesting or having our say. Our parents agree with us 100% and they are going to back us up all the way. Maybe they didnt agree with rioting or trashing the school but still, all parents, student and staff want change and they want it now.

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cherrypi says...
1:07pm Tue 21 Oct 08

We note that one parent has mentioned that one teacher has resigned, perhaps the Echo ought to find out how many staff have actually resigned - I thought it was nearer 15!

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Iain says...
1:14pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Automatic reaction is to condemn the pupils, but reading what peple have said has made me hold fire. Is it really that bad that you'll justify your kids vandalising things?

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cherrypi says...
1:21pm Tue 21 Oct 08

I agree Iain, there is never any justification for vandalism as it shows disregard for yourself as well as your surroundings. These students are obviously reaching a stage where their self esteem is so low that they are hitting out at the very people who should be helping them.

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goard says...
1:22pm Tue 21 Oct 08

This debate is so worthwhile - this is what parents need - a fair analysis on all sides, and it would appear the staff should be listened to and acted upon. Listen to the people who are teaching and not the Head who is put there to 'control'. A very unsatisfactory job because, whatever the Education Minister perceives, we want to go back to basics - yes basics. How can we emphisise - our, on the ground teachers, still know what is required and right. It's not the Head teachers fault - they are under the thumb of Education Ministers.

goard

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insider83 says...
1:43pm Tue 21 Oct 08

I am very close to a few people that have worked on the woolston school site for years and 'one teacher' quiting is just the tip of the iceberg! they school have ha so many resignations and staff walking out that if it continues the site may be forced to move, plus the fact that teachers are constantly having to rush from one site to the other to teach classes doesnt seem to be working either. the head of the woolston site CLOSED the lunch areas last week and refused to let the Children be served (kids have got to eat! that is not an apropriate punishment) !! Woolston wasn't a failing school before Oasis came along but it seems to be falling apart at the seems since the start of term.

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Mad Max says...
1:45pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Having read the articles and comments from yesterday and today it appears that the total blame for this shambles lays firmly at the feet of the Oasis directors and/or Ruth Johnson, the merger of the schools itself seems to have gone smoothly, with the odd fight (to be expected).... what I am wondering, how has the management team done over at the Oasis Acadamy Lordshill.... is the fault purely with the head teacher or the Oasis management??

and for the young adults at the school... good protest song for you, Pink Floyd "Another brick in the wall" a sit down demonstration in the hall will be more effective than running riot damaging YOUR school...

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mr.southampton says...
1:48pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Sounds like another privitisation success story!

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bitternedave says...
1:52pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Whilst I do not agree with the way some of the pupils went about making their view known, I fully understand why they felt like that. I am disappointed that the Head has not gone on public record and answered questions, she is ultimately in charge of the day to day running of the school and neds to have the trust of parents, staff and pupils if the school is going to move forward. It seems the merger of the two schools was pushed through without due preparation and thought. It means more than a change of sign and uniform. Where is Clive Webster? A poster in my daughter's school tells them to contact Clive. It seems he has gone to ground. What we have is a school with no local accountability.

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bitternedave says...
1:54pm Tue 21 Oct 08

With regard to the exclusion - there is a right to appeal to the Governing Body and then to an independent panel.

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Treas says...
1:55pm Tue 21 Oct 08

From the reports, it may be true that some pupils vandalised the fabric of their school. It is also true that some minor politicians through coercion vandalised a great education establishment, that used to be Woolston School. What is worse in your opinion?

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southy says...
2:02pm Tue 21 Oct 08

when kids are at school it the responsabilty of the school and not the parents for there safe and well being and schooling,if the school had it right in the first place this would not have happened,its seem there is a problem in most of the merger schools,it seems to me that those at the top cant handle the buck stops here,replace the cheifs at the top and work down wards

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gob smacked says...
2:05pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Woolston school was a nightmare before this happened, they didn't know their backside from their elbow. Comunication was terrible between teachers, and any help that was recommended from outside bodies was ignored. My child had a terrible time for over a year as he wasn't 'run of the mill', I'm not suprised its in the state it is now. I don't think it is right for the children to riot etc though, and I don't think it is exceptible for the parents to think it is right either! Perhaps if they taught self respect and respect for other people it might not be so bad. Threatning a teacher with a knife is terrible, I hope the parents didn't think this was justified!

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joannaRwoolston says...
2:11pm Tue 21 Oct 08

i am in yr 10 now,and i go too oasis academy.

ms.johnson you never listen to us pupils and we get so frustrated!!

we have so many points which could help but we just get ignored!

we are so fed up so we decided to cause a riot to show are frustration...it seemed at the time the only way to get your attention.

last year, my results were excellent.but since i have been attending this acedemy my results have dropped low due to lack of learning facilities!

i have not even been put into the right sets for my english maths and science which is appauling.

it is not the merge that has caused the problem, it is ms johnson.

oasis academy lords hill is fine? soo why isn't mayfield?

maybe it is because lords hill have a DECENT HEADTEACHER which can COTROL situations.

i am very upset as these next two years are very important but we are not one of ms.johnsons main priorities...

joanna.

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Treas says...
2:13pm Tue 21 Oct 08

gob smacked wrote:
Woolston school was a nightmare before this happened, they didn't know their backside from their elbow. Comunication was terrible between teachers, and any help that was recommended from outside bodies was ignored. My child had a terrible time for over a year as he wasn't 'run of the mill', I'm not suprised its in the state it is now. I don't think it is right for the children to riot etc though, and I don't think it is exceptible for the parents to think it is right either! Perhaps if they taught self respect and respect for other people it might not be so bad. Threatning a teacher with a knife is terrible, I hope the parents didn't think this was justified!

As an ex-pupil of Woolston School, I was very saddened to hear the story. The school was a great facility in the area and gave ordinary kids from ordinary homes the opportunity to better themselves. This is a trajedy. Can you imagine the public outcry if one of our great national public schools was dismantled and merged? Woolston School was a great school by any criterion.The viking longship crest should be reinstated on the wall, and the school should be given back its autonomy, as the majority of parents and pupils want.

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Em_Lou says...
2:15pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Im absolutely astonished at the total shambles that seems to have happened with this merger. I agree that parents should deal with any discipline that is required of pupils actions, but i wouldnt blame them in the slightest if they were proud of the fact that they actually stood up for they can obviously see is a problem. from what i can read from the comments is a more balanced veiw of this story, and i dont feel that the echo is reporting it correctly... i thought the media would jump on any excuse to point the finger of blame at authority?
its not the parents who need to stop this, its the senior management! if the previous head was so good, why exactly did he have to leave and be replaced by this monsterous woman? I will admit i havnt had expericence of either the school or the senior staff but im still in a state of disbelief.
Its clear theres more than meets the eye and something needs doing, and soon.

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vermin says...
2:18pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Don't anyone blame the school for the riotous behaviour. Kids have a right to a decent education but they don't have a right to do what they did. There has to be a better way than that to change things.

No one should have to go to anywhere under a threat of violence, be it teacher or pupils.

I am sorry to read about the examples of bullying.

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Jhon.sonater says...
2:23pm Tue 21 Oct 08

The Woolston site of Oasis Academy Mayfield did get vandalised on Thursday, and has been vandalised many times before this event with windows being smashed, display boards being ripped down, and much worse. Last Thursday it was done within a riot the staff have no control over the students and Mrs Jhonson's quote of it was dealt with quickly is untrue and damage is still outstanding from weeks ago E.G the ceiling is still down in the hall and the T.V not apparently working. The display boards around the school are a state and nobody within the school is happy i dread turning up every day since the form of Oasis and most importantly the learning is mimimal.

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Mad Max says...
2:26pm Tue 21 Oct 08

joannaRwoolston wrote:
i am in yr 10 now,and i go too oasis academy. ms.johnson you never listen to us pupils and we get so frustrated!! we have so many points which could help but we just get ignored! we are so fed up so we decided to cause a riot to show are frustration...it seemed at the time the only way to get your attention. last year, my results were excellent.but since i have been attending this acedemy my results have dropped low due to lack of learning facilities! i have not even been put into the right sets for my english maths and science which is appauling. it is not the merge that has caused the problem, it is ms johnson. oasis academy lords hill is fine? soo why isn't mayfield? maybe it is because lords hill have a DECENT HEADTEACHER which can COTROL situations. i am very upset as these next two years are very important but we are not one of ms.johnsons main priorities... joanna.

it's a shame that these kids have got to the stage where they feel rioting is the only course of action left open to them, unfortunately it just ends up making them look bad and the villains of the piece....

I have no links to this or any other school in Southampton anymore, but as I said earlier, if you are going to protest again, a whole school sit in is a far better option.... and to be honest, even the parents could come into the school and sit down outside the heads office until seen....

Peaceful protest is the key...

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mckingsy says...
2:31pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Oh Dear,
There is obvious a cover up somewhere and the weight of comments, and frustration would suggest the school and it's miss-management is at the root.

I think the comments about ex-teachers including a personal statement from one of these teachers
(Orry) perhaps reveals the true issue. All thosen slaging off the parents and blaming society should take off the blinkers and read. The truth would appear to be slightly more sinister....

I think the Parents of all the children at this "School" deserve an explanation from the Head Teacher (I'm not sure when teachers became management)

I believe that all citizens of this country have a right to trial/appeal - these exclusion were delivered a fait accompli end of story. What is Ruth hiding from?

The Echo need to stop reporting sound-bites and actually find out what happened here I for one want to know.

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concernedmum says...
2:43pm Tue 21 Oct 08

My main concern for my son who has entered year 11 is that the high standards he had at Grove have dropped in a matter of weeks. He is consistantly with unhappy teachers, there has been lost work, lack of facilities in important key stage lessons, oasis staff sending children home for not wearing black socks or totally black shoes and what about Ruth checking to see if they were wearing the free ONE white shirt! what is that all about? his english class have even been band from smiling in class by the deputy head. This is the most crucial year and the children are trying their best to reach the goals set by the previous school and get their GCSE's how will this happen with the farce of OASIS? My son was happy under Mr Freeman and his fine staff, they cared about the children and would do anything to help them no matter who they were. I am sure the same applied at Woolston. Will the school ensure the mitigating circumstances that our year 11 children have this year is taken into account next May/June when these poor children have to sit the exams having had such poor schooling? I don't agree with the damage caused but protesting peacefully as the grove site children did is their right and maybe it is time that the council and oasis did something about it. Our children should not be part of empire building, this is their future and it is sickening to think that our year 11 children will suffer. We have already lost a lot of good hard working dedicated teachers please do something now before the children have no one left apart from these Bible Dashing Empire Building dictators.

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Pi.Face says...
2:45pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Having taught at Grove Park last year I read of the lattest developments with great sadness but not surprise. I know for a fact that a large number of very good teachers have been completly demoralised by the lack of communication, organistaion and leadership shown by Oasis and Ruth Johnson over the last 18 shambolic unorganised months. Can I reassure both students and parents that the teachers do care about what is going on and are working as hard as they can everyday to provide the best education they can despite the interference from above.

i am surprised by some of the names of pupils excluded, mentioned my former colleague and mate Orry above. They are all hard working lads with great potential and I wish them all the best for the future.

As for the reported cancelled trips for coursework and lack of teaching staff mentioned. I know for a fact that there were at least 3 teachers who were willing to stay on but were told they were no longer required and interviews were arranged for some positions to be filled before being cancelled and candidates being told that the positions no longer existed or needed filling.

It is a real shame that the excellent, supportive atmosphere in the staff room that existed at Grove and created by Eric Freeman has been lost. Unfortunately it is now too late to turn the clock back and hopefully things will improve soon.

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baz1 says...
2:51pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Johnson's on a £100.000+ so she'll get a big fat pension linked to final pay.Most heads do a few years and then go for early retirement-and then do consultancy work if they're really greedy.It'a well used ploy in teaching-even better if you're useless-you get out earlier on a enhanced pension to get rid of you.
The kids are incidental-expel those who are "awkward" and let them bother someone else!EASY.
I speak from experience!!

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Orry-exgrove teacher says...
3:18pm Tue 21 Oct 08

STEVE CHALK WE HAVE GIVEN UP ON RUTH AS CLEARLY SHE IS UNFIT FOR PURPOSE AND TOO ARROGANT TO CARE BUT YOU PROMISED THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN. IF YOU ARE READING ANY OF THIS PLEASE ACT NOW. LAST YEAR YOU SATURATED OUR STAFF ROOM WITH RIDICULOUS POSTERS AND PICTURES OF YOURSELF BOVE THE WORDS SPEAK TO ME IM ALL EARS, WELL WE ARE SPEAKING TO YOU CLEARLY NOW, ARE YOU GOING TO LISTEN OR WAS THIS JSUT ANOTHER EGO TRIP TO GET YOUR PICTURE EVERYWHERE. YOU ARE TEARING APART A COMMUNITY AND DESTROYING THE POTENTIAL OF SOME OF THE FINEST PUPILS I HAVE KNOWN IN 10 YEARS OF TEACHING - EVER HEARD OF EVERY CHILD MATTERS. THE CONCENTRATION OF RESOURCES IN THE LOWER SCHOOL IS SUCH A BLATANTLY CYNICAL PLOY AS TO BE INSULTING TO THE PARENTS OF UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS. I KNOW THE VAST MAJORITY OF YEAR 11 GROVE PARENTS VERY WELL AND HAVE DEALT EXTENSIVELY WITH THEM FOR FOUR AND A HALF YEARS. THEY ARE DEDICATED CARING WONDERFUL PARENTS WHO ONLY ASK THAT THEIR SONS HARD WORK BE REWARDED AND POTENTIAL REALISED. AND FOR YOU TO PATRONISE THESE PUPILS WITH YOU RIDICULOUS STORIES AND FABLES (AS YOU DID TO THE STAFF OF WOOLSTON AND GROVE LAST YEAR AT PUBLIC MEETINGS WHILE THEY WERE FEARING FOR THEIR JOBS) SHOWS JUST HOW OUT OF TOUCH YOU ARE! MANY FANTASTIC STAFF HAVE ALREADY LEFT AND SOME WONDERFUL PUPILS BEEN EXCLUDED, HOWEVER MANY OF BOTH REMAIN THEIR DEDICATION FLYING IN THE FACE OF THE SHAMBLES GOING ON AROUND THEM. HOW DO YOU PLAN TO REWARD THEM? THIS IS IN DANGER OF BECOMING A NATIONAL DISGRACE....I AM SO ANGRY I FEEL LIKE LASHING OUT MYSELF SO GOD (YOU REMEMBER HIM!!??) ONLY KNOWS HOW THE PARENTS AND PUPILS FEEL! ERIC IF YOUR READING THIS OFFER YOUR SERVICES AS A CONSULTANT ON THE CONDITION THAT THEY DROP THE RELIGIOUS NONSENSE AND GET BACK TO EDUCATION. PLEASE STEVE DONT MAKE THESE PEOPLE GO THROUGH THIS ANY MORE, LISTEN TO THEM

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john do says...
3:42pm Tue 21 Oct 08

parents blaming staff is no help since the report yesterday many teachers are now leaving on Friday permanently and there will be no teachers to teach us.

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Pi.Face says...
3:48pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Having taught at Grove last year I can say with confidence that the teachers from there are some of the most hardworking, supportive and professional people I have had the pleasure to work with. The Woolston staff that I met at various (often unorganised and lacking any meaning) Oasis meetings were equaly comitted and dedicated. Having spoken to some of my former colleagues I know that they are demotivated and disillusioned with the whole oasis process over the last 18 months. Despite this they turn up everyday and attempt to provide the best education that they can in difficult circumstances. Can I urge all students and parents to support all teaching staff during this time.

Ruth Johnson can I urge you yet again just to listen, something that you have failed to do since getting the job in Jan. Listen to the advice previously offered by the former heads, to current staff, to the concerns of parents and most importantly the children, especially those with genuine concerns for their GCSEs. They have had enough of glib soundbites and being ignored and want to do how you are going to improve the situation, if you can before it is not to late for the upper school.

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john do says...
3:48pm Tue 21 Oct 08

from 2:20pm till 3:15pm i spent time in a meeting with Steve Chalk and Mrs. Hibbs(deputy principal). In this meeting we discussed many of the problems with the new academy and if u would like me to tell them something. please inform me, and i will bring it to Steve Chalks attention.

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southy says...
3:57pm Tue 21 Oct 08

john do wrote:
from 2:20pm till 3:15pm i spent time in a meeting with Steve Chalk and Mrs. Hibbs(deputy principal). In this meeting we discussed many of the problems with the new academy and if u would like me to tell them something. please inform me, and i will bring it to Steve Chalks attention.

yes tell them to get back to grass roots what happens in schools its down to the staff not the perents,remind her that the buck stops at her,and if not working then she has to contact higher up and tell them that there new system is not working and not to blame the parents or kids,if they dont know how to control then they should be replace

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TaT says...
4:38pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Dear Mr Webster, if you are reading this, and all the Oasis management.
Can us parents call for a meeting with you please. So we can try to recover our confidence in the academy again.
The silence form you all, apart from the odd one sentance quote is too worrying for words.
The Parents want this acadmey to work for the sake of our children's future.
That is all we want, it isnt a lot to ask for, surely ?

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wizzle says...
5:36pm Tue 21 Oct 08

bitternedave wrote:
With regard to the exclusion - there is a right to appeal to the Governing Body and then to an independent panel.

Thats if you can get hold of them as its out of govement hands and they are an organisation unto them selves. I have hit every brick wall possible. I have managed to speak to anne beavill, but so far this has fallen on deaf ears also. Its just a bloody shambles.

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Educator says...
5:58pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Yes parents do have the right to appeal to the Academy Council(Governing Body) but as the majority of people on this are employed by Oasis there will be little point.The previous Headteacher was not removed,he chose not to work for Oasis.Staff are desperate ,many are leaving now and at Christmas(teachers have to give a whole half-term's notice.)These are dedicated teachers who know the pupils well,the chaos will be even worse with yet more supply teachers

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john do says...
6:01pm Tue 21 Oct 08

TaT wrote:
Dear Mr Webster, if you are reading this, and all the Oasis management.
Can us parents call for a meeting with you please. So we can try to recover our confidence in the academy again.
The silence form you all, apart from the odd one sentance quote is too worrying for words.
The Parents want this acadmey to work for the sake of our children's future.
That is all we want, it isnt a lot to ask for, surely ?

parents call call for a meeting if there is enough parents calling for one. you should tell your children to email mrs. Johnson at school off of the school email account or write a letter and give it to your child and get them to give it into student services. but the best way to get the school attention is by repeated emails.the school normaly has so many messages they dont get to the right person

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john do says...
6:02pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Educator wrote:
Yes parents do have the right to appeal to the Academy Council(Governing Body) but as the majority of people on this are employed by Oasis there will be little point.The previous Headteacher was not removed,he chose not to work for Oasis.Staff are desperate ,many are leaving now and at Christmas(teachers have to give a whole half-term's notice.)These are dedicated teachers who know the pupils well,the chaos will be even worse with yet more supply teachers

yes your right 6 teachers are going and lots more are planning to go from the report yesterday

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ally_m says...
7:09pm Tue 21 Oct 08

I am a parent of a year 7 pupil and maybe my daughter is getting access to better facilities than other year groups, but she is learning nothing and is yet to bring home any home work. I have tried to contact mrs Johnson but she is always unavailible, I am curious to know what she actually does! Perhaps she spends her days on Facebook?

Clearly the majority of parents want answers so Mrs Johnson if you are reading this may I suggest you find some time in your busy schedule to pull your finger out and call a meeting to explain how you are going to sort out the chaotic mess that is your school.

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NICK PAYNTER says...
7:33pm Tue 21 Oct 08

SIX DAYS LATER, WE STILL HAVE NOT HAD NO CONTACT WITH RUTH JOHNSON, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES WE RING. AS A CONCERNED PARENT THIS CANNOT BE RIGHT. SHE NEEDS TO HAVE THE BALLS TO FACE THESE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY HER AND THE OASIS MANAGEMENT. RUTH JOHNSON AND THE MANAGEMENT PRETENDS TO BE RELIGIOUS BUT THEY ARE UNFORTUNATELY THE LEAST FORGIVING PEOPLE AROUND. GUILTY!!!!!!

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davesbabe says...
7:37pm Tue 21 Oct 08

my daughter is due to start at this school next september and i am very concerned about the state the school is in, i am a former sholing girls pupil myself and i had mrs johnson as a teacher for 3 years and she was the nastiest person ive ever met, she made you feel like an idiot and about a foot tall with the demeaning way she spoke to you, i have no choice but to send my daughter here as there is no school bus, she is too young to walk all that way and i dont drive(even if i could get her into tstc),i think she should be removed from her position and somebody more suitable who will listen should replace her, these poor kids are being let down and nobody is doing anything! its no wonder they rioted, i dont condone what they did but i can understand why, i think everyone should pull their kids out of school in a school strike until something gets done, maybe thats the only thing that would work seeing as nobody high up will do anything, i had a feeling something like this would happen because that woman is letting everyone down!

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john do says...
7:43pm Tue 21 Oct 08

NICK PAYNTER wrote:
SIX DAYS LATER, WE STILL HAVE NOT HAD NO CONTACT WITH RUTH JOHNSON, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES WE RING. AS A CONCERNED PARENT THIS CANNOT BE RIGHT. SHE NEEDS TO HAVE THE BALLS TO FACE THESE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY HER AND THE OASIS MANAGEMENT. RUTH JOHNSON AND THE MANAGEMENT PRETENDS TO BE RELIGIOUS BUT THEY ARE UNFORTUNATELY THE LEAST FORGIVING PEOPLE AROUND. GUILTY!!!!!!

the best thing to do is get your child to keep on sending emails to mrs.Johnson and get a teacher on your side once you have done that you should get a response from senior management. she dose not respond to countless phone calls i don't know why but i have had a meeting with Steve Chalk today and a phone call from senior management concerning an email i sent the princable. just keep on emailing her

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sebarcher says...
7:44pm Tue 21 Oct 08

I am a pupil at oasis academy in year 9. we had a similar protest at the grove park site, although less violent. The thing is that none of the pupils I have talked to are happy with the new school, some staff are also not happy with the changes like the having to catch the bus every other period, and if they miss it we are just left outside of class with nothing to do. And another thing, Oasis are trying so hard to deny that there are any problems with the school when the situation is really quite bad, I have not so far seen any steps being taken to improve. None of the teachers ever have time for us anymore, half of the students are out of control and although we tried getting these points across during our peacefull protest nothing has been done. the senior staff have too busy dealing with the "rowdy" kids and trying to give the school a good name, they have not had time for the important things that a school needs.

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Mad Max says...
7:48pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Having a look at the wonderful website for Oasis Academy Mayfield, I came across the questions and answers page where you can add your questions... go on... Lets fill it up....

http://www.oasisacad
emymayfield.org/ques
tions_and_answers

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hollywood gal says...
7:51pm Tue 21 Oct 08

As a parent of a past Woolston student who had nothing but support over his 5 years there, I would like to say this is not about individual grievences from the fornmer 2 schools.I have close friends whose children have attended both former schools.These children on the whole were sucessful in their own right.The problem lies not in the joining of the 2 schools but in the emotional and educational climate of Oasis Acadamy NOW.I am sure the teachers and staff are all doing their best in this shambles.I wonder why Southampton city council are seeming to do nothing.Is it because there was no money to carry on funding these 2 schools and that they seem to refuse to intervene.These children should not be denied access to an education.Ruth you are not wanted. The buck lies with you, so dig deep into your christian faith and go back to where you come from.... never come back to any of our city schools again

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melonjuice says...
8:01pm Tue 21 Oct 08

No matter what we do, mrs johnson & miss west tend not to listen to us. :(
I don't think that the parents can do much to prevent the riots, its the children's choice if they want to potentially put there education on the line. (:
We do understand that its hard for the teachers to stop the children from doing such things, but sometimes if they just try & be more in control this sort of thing will never happen.

Also i think there was nothing wrong with the two schools as there was. They should have kept them the same. (:

WOOLSTON WE LOVE YOU.

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NICK PAYNTER says...
8:01pm Tue 21 Oct 08

I have a lot of respect for teachers, they do a great job when left to do what they do best and enjoy, and that is teaching and interacting with the kids, not checking clothing and catching the bus from one school to another, its not a fashion contest, my son has had 6 different English teachers since September, with this being his final year does anybody, including the Ruth Johnson and management at Oasis or education authority in Hampshire think this is acceptable? PS get rid of Johnson and split her money between the teachers that are teaching and doing a good job!!!! dont quit.

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NICK PAYNTER says...
8:17pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Mrs Johnson added: “The actions I took last week give out a strong message that we will not tolerate any disruption which could harm my good name. This is almost an extract from the echo but doctored to be more accurate, anyway if the echo can print lies about the kids carrying bits of wood and smashing tv's, so can I.

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wizzle says...
8:27pm Tue 21 Oct 08

I suggest that we make a date and get all parents to stand outside the school gates of the grove site or woolston site and demand to get Ruth Johnson out to explain herself.
What does everyone else reakon.....questions need to be answered and moaning on here is not getting us any where!

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john do says...
8:37pm Tue 21 Oct 08

wizzle wrote:
I suggest that we make a date and get all parents to stand outside the school gates of the grove site or woolston site and demand to get Ruth Johnson out to explain herself.
What does everyone else reakon.....questions need to be answered and moaning on here is not getting us any where!

i would say hold a protest outside central hall St.Marys that is where the head of oasis Southampton is. its just a thought

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wizzle says...
8:39pm Tue 21 Oct 08

john do wrote:

wizzle wrote: I suggest that we make a date and get all parents to stand outside the school gates of the grove site or woolston site and demand to get Ruth Johnson out to explain herself. What does everyone else reakon.....questions need to be answered and moaning on here is not getting us any where!
i would say hold a protest outside central hall St.Marys that is where the head of oasis Southampton is. its just a thought

Thats great, dont know how to organise it, but if set a date on here and ruth reads it, then she has no excuse not to be there!!!!!
I will be there.....anyone else?

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Condor Man says...
8:45pm Tue 21 Oct 08

I was in favour of the Oasis schools as being a Christian I felt it was time for change away from the LEA which has failed generations of kids in Southampton.

What I don't like is the lack of accountability which is not unique to Oasis but all foundation schools like Upper Shirley High. It's government policy to devolve schools from LEA control, the Tories back it too. It will be interesting to see how selective foundation or academy schools become in the next few years. If you are a parent of a child with low attainment be wary.

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Condor Man says...
8:45pm Tue 21 Oct 08

I was in favour of the Oasis schools as being a Christian I felt it was time for change away from the LEA which has failed generations of kids in Southampton.

What I don't like is the lack of accountability which is not unique to Oasis but all foundation schools like Upper Shirley High. It's government policy to devolve schools from LEA control, the Tories back it too. It will be interesting to see how selective foundation or academy schools become in the next few years. If you are a parent of a child with low attainment be wary.

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asilryan says...
8:47pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Nearly all of yesterday's and today's comments are saying RUTH JOHNSON DOESN'T LISTEN. How about the Echo starts PRINTING some of these opinions. You are journalists, start searching for the truth.

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john do says...
8:48pm Tue 21 Oct 08

wizzle wrote:

john do wrote:

wizzle wrote: I suggest that we make a date and get all parents to stand outside the school gates of the grove site or woolston site and demand to get Ruth Johnson out to explain herself. What does everyone else reakon.....questions need to be answered and moaning on here is not getting us any where!
i would say hold a protest outside central hall St.Marys that is where the head of oasis Southampton is. its just a thought
Thats great, dont know how to organise it, but if set a date on here and ruth reads it, then she has no excuse not to be there!!!!!
I will be there.....anyone else?

well to do this protest it has to be organized, peaceful and highlighting to problems with the academy. and the appropriate people informed. all students , staff and parents must be informed after the data and time has been set and you must have the majority of the school on your side before you can take it any further. this protest should be a protest not a riot

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wizzle says...
8:50pm Tue 21 Oct 08

NICK PAYNTER wrote:
Mrs Johnson added: “The actions I took last week give out a strong message that we will not tolerate any disruption which could harm my good name. This is almost an extract from the echo but doctored to be more accurate, anyway if the echo can print lies about the kids carrying bits of wood and smashing tv's, so can I.

Ruth.....you have managed to harm your so called good name yourself!!!! read all the above and wonder why?

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john do says...
8:51pm Tue 21 Oct 08

asilryan wrote:
Nearly all of yesterday's and today's comments are saying RUTH JOHNSON DOESN'T LISTEN. How about the Echo starts PRINTING some of these opinions. You are journalists, start searching for the truth.

she only listens if you threaten to take legal advise. i did that and within that day i had a phone call say the problem that i brought to the schools attention will be sorted out promptly

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wizzle says...
8:52pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Jogn, have no intension of starting a riot, but so many parents on here need to speak and get answers. If it were policed and kept under control, i see no problems. maybe the echo could help with advertising?

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AngrySotonResident says...
9:05pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Can I also add that the oasis group are yet to finish a project. I think the echo need to route around the oasis website and seek league tables for the other sites up north

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john do says...
9:11pm Tue 21 Oct 08

you are right in saying that. last year was the first time they started opening academy's. the Enfieds near London where i believe the school may have more than year 7's in there not and the academy up north in Immingham and than started last yea and is fall this year. this September they opened the 2 academy's in Southampton and one in Bristol.

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mad mum says...
9:18pm Tue 21 Oct 08

WHAT NEXT..........Boys being expelled on the word of another student!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!! Expelling someone without ever meeting them, without speaking to people who know them,(without having the decency to speak to the parents herself), but more importantly without interviewing them or giving them the chance to defend themselves!!!!!

THE LESSON HERE..doesnt matter if youre innocent, youre going to get the blame anyway son.

COME OUT OF YOUR OFFICE MRS JOHNSON AND SEE THE DAMAGE YOU ARE DOING TO YOUNG PEOPLES LIVES!

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Change.Today says...
9:53pm Tue 21 Oct 08

I find it surprising that so many seemingly uneducated people are making grammatically incorrect comments on this sensationalised story. I also feel that parents who are unable to supply their names to comments made against a successful Head-Teacher who turned around Cantell School's results should be prepared to be identified, rather than issue cowardly, unfounded statements which merely display their ignorance.

Furthermore, I suggest that those making comments support their evidence with correct punctuation and spelling along with a rather more supportive stance of the education system. After all, the youth of today are the employees of tomorrow. If you want lower pensions, then carry on parenting the way you have been for the last 15 years.

You parents, teachers and students, young adults and children out there that think that rioting is a valid solution should ask yourselves where has it gotten you? I don't recall adults asking children to do the dirty work for them. You are a bunch of wasting cowards.

If you have a solution then why aren't you offering it? If you want change, why can't you see that is what is happening and embrace it? If you want to save a school from Special Measures, why are you not encouraging your sons and daughters to work hard in class for their grades instead of supporting them acting up at school? Why, parents, do you not take such an active role in your child's education instead of shouting at the Head, look at yourselves. You should not be so proud until your children have the results they deserve. Since when do you ask a baby what they want to eat? The response will surely be aimed at the things the child enjoys, rather than what is good for it. Of course, as a parenmt, you need to know the difference between right and wrong.

I challenge you, parents, prove that you know and heal this dreadful rift that you are causing. You harp on about the identity of the community. What are you demonstrating to your sons and daughters?

I challenge you, students, to find a better way to work together to make the future that we all must live in. The adults of today have made such a bad job, our only hope is you. Make the right choices because we didn't.

I challenge you, teachers, do your job. If you can no longer do that, then get out. But think of the impact of your long faces in the classroom. Think of the impact of a fun lesson. tink of how you will feel when your student achieve the grades. If you have given up, what will the students do? Lead by example and stop being such bad ones.

I chjallenge you, Southampton, that Change is Good. Change today because tomorrow may be too late.

I find it surprising that so many seemingly uneducated people are making grammatically incorrect comments on this sensationalised story. I also feel that parents who are unable to supply their names to comments made against a successful Head-Teacher who turned around Cantell School's results should be prepared to be identified, rather than issue cowardly, unfounded statements which merely display their ignorance. Furthermore, I suggest that those making comments support their evidence with correct punctuation and spelling along with a rather more supportive stance of the education system. After all, the youth of today are the employees of tomorrow. If you want lower pensions, then carry on parenting the way you have been for the last 15 years. You parents, teachers and students, young adults and children out there that think that rioting is a valid solution should ask yourselves where has it gotten you? I don't recall adults asking children to do the dirty work for them. You are a bunch of wasting cowards. If you have a solution then why aren't you offering it? If you want change, why can't you see that is what is happening and embrace it? If you want to save a school from Special Measures, why are you not encouraging your sons and daughters to work hard in class for their grades instead of supporting them acting up at school? Why, parents, do you not take such an active role in your child's education instead of shouting at the Head, look at yourselves. You should not be so proud until your children have the results they deserve. Since when do you ask a baby what they want to eat? The response will surely be aimed at the things the child enjoys, rather than what is good for it. Of course, as a parenmt, you need to know the difference between right and wrong. I challenge you, parents, prove that you know and heal this dreadful rift that you are causing. You harp on about the identity of the community. What are you demonstrating to your sons and daughters? I challenge you, students, to find a better way to work together to make the future that we all must live in. The adults of today have made such a bad job, our only hope is you. Make the right choices because we didn't. I challenge you, teachers, do your job. If you can no longer do that, then get out. But think of the impact of your long faces in the classroom. Think of the impact of a fun lesson. tink of how you will feel when your student achieve the grades. If you have given up, what will the students do? Lead by example and stop being such bad ones. I chjallenge you, Southampton, that Change is Good. Change today because tomorrow may be too late. Change.Today

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john do says...
10:09pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Change.Today wrote:
I find it surprising that so many seemingly uneducated people are making grammatically incorrect comments on this sensationalised story. I also feel that parents who are unable to supply their names to comments made against a successful Head-Teacher who turned around Cantell School's results should be prepared to be identified, rather than issue cowardly, unfounded statements which merely display their ignorance.

Furthermore, I suggest that those making comments support their evidence with correct punctuation and spelling along with a rather more supportive stance of the education system. After all, the youth of today are the employees of tomorrow. If you want lower pensions, then carry on parenting the way you have been for the last 15 years.

You parents, teachers and students, young adults and children out there that think that rioting is a valid solution should ask yourselves where has it gotten you? I don't recall adults asking children to do the dirty work for them. You are a bunch of wasting cowards.

If you have a solution then why aren't you offering it? If you want change, why can't you see that is what is happening and embrace it? If you want to save a school from Special Measures, why are you not encouraging your sons and daughters to work hard in class for their grades instead of supporting them acting up at school? Why, parents, do you not take such an active role in your child's education instead of shouting at the Head, look at yourselves. You should not be so proud until your children have the results they deserve. Since when do you ask a baby what they want to eat? The response will surely be aimed at the things the child enjoys, rather than what is good for it. Of course, as a parenmt, you need to know the difference between right and wrong.

I challenge you, parents, prove that you know and heal this dreadful rift that you are causing. You harp on about the identity of the community. What are you demonstrating to your sons and daughters?

I challenge you, students, to find a better way to work together to make the future that we all must live in. The adults of today have made such a bad job, our only hope is you. Make the right choices because we didn't.

I challenge you, teachers, do your job. If you can no longer do that, then get out. But think of the impact of your long faces in the classroom. Think of the impact of a fun lesson. tink of how you will feel when your student achieve the grades. If you have given up, what will the students do? Lead by example and stop being such bad ones.

I chjallenge you, Southampton, that Change is Good. Change today because tomorrow may be too late.

you say to people show your real name but you cant even do it so you are not setting a good exsample

[quote][p][bold]Change.Today[/bold] wrote: I find it surprising that so many seemingly uneducated people are making grammatically incorrect comments on this sensationalised story. I also feel that parents who are unable to supply their names to comments made against a successful Head-Teacher who turned around Cantell School's results should be prepared to be identified, rather than issue cowardly, unfounded statements which merely display their ignorance. Furthermore, I suggest that those making comments support their evidence with correct punctuation and spelling along with a rather more supportive stance of the education system. After all, the youth of today are the employees of tomorrow. If you want lower pensions, then carry on parenting the way you have been for the last 15 years. You parents, teachers and students, young adults and children out there that think that rioting is a valid solution should ask yourselves where has it gotten you? I don't recall adults asking children to do the dirty work for them. You are a bunch of wasting cowards. If you have a solution then why aren't you offering it? If you want change, why can't you see that is what is happening and embrace it? If you want to save a school from Special Measures, why are you not encouraging your sons and daughters to work hard in class for their grades instead of supporting them acting up at school? Why, parents, do you not take such an active role in your child's education instead of shouting at the Head, look at yourselves. You should not be so proud until your children have the results they deserve. Since when do you ask a baby what they want to eat? The response will surely be aimed at the things the child enjoys, rather than what is good for it. Of course, as a parenmt, you need to know the difference between right and wrong. I challenge you, parents, prove that you know and heal this dreadful rift that you are causing. You harp on about the identity of the community. What are you demonstrating to your sons and daughters? I challenge you, students, to find a better way to work together to make the future that we all must live in. The adults of today have made such a bad job, our only hope is you. Make the right choices because we didn't. I challenge you, teachers, do your job. If you can no longer do that, then get out. But think of the impact of your long faces in the classroom. Think of the impact of a fun lesson. tink of how you will feel when your student achieve the grades. If you have given up, what will the students do? Lead by example and stop being such bad ones. I chjallenge you, Southampton, that Change is Good. Change today because tomorrow may be too late. [/p][/quote]you say to people show your real name but you cant even do it so you are not setting a good exsample john do

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NICK PAYNTER says...
10:09pm Tue 21 Oct 08

As you can see I have put my name, and I am certainly not a coward, your name is? We would try to influence a change and resolve this matter if Mrs Johnson would be decent enough to return my calls. Is this not the root of the problem, would this not be what you would expect? (mr change.today)

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Vonnie says...
10:09pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Change.Today, Southampton

It sounds very much as if you are not a parent. Change is only good when it is for the better. It is pretty obvious to anyone reading this forum that it has not been for the better - for anyone, parents, pupils, or teachers.

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Max Holz says...
10:11pm Tue 21 Oct 08

I'm glad to see the spotlight being put on the headteacher, Ruth Johnson, and the whole Oasis regime which has been foisted on students, teachers and parents without our consent. As a parent, I have seen the ethos of Woolston School, with its emphasis on language-teaching, torn up in favour of the 'mission from God' of Oasis which appointed Ruth Johnson as head on the understanding she would be an 'instrument of God'(that's what it said in the job description - equal opportunities be damned!). I had an idea things would 'kick off', I just didn't expect it to happen this soon. Peter 'The Fop' Baillie must shoulder a considerable amount of the blame for this situation as it was his decision (based on sheer devilment, I shouldn't wonder)to hand over Woolston and the Grove to Oasis. One of the biggest problems is the triumphalist, arrogant attitude of Johnson herself, who has got many people's backs up - pupil, teacher and parent alike. As for the predictable chorus of 'children should be seen and not heard, hanging's too good for them, etc.' - you really don't know what's going on. What would they make of the situation in Greece at the moment, where hundreds of secondary schools are being occupied by their students, demanding a greater say?

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mad mum says...
10:21pm Tue 21 Oct 08

With you all the way Mr Paynter. Being honest,available and approachable may have helped this situation from the begining, but no, Mrs Johnson knows best! Shame not many people seems to agree

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Rob444 says...
10:24pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Change.Today wrote:
I find it surprising that so many seemingly uneducated people are making grammatically incorrect comments on this sensationalised story. I also feel that parents who are unable to supply their names to comments made against a successful Head-Teacher who turned around Cantell School's results should be prepared to be identified, rather than issue cowardly, unfounded statements which merely display their ignorance.

Furthermore, I suggest that those making comments support their evidence with correct punctuation and spelling along with a rather more supportive stance of the education system. After all, the youth of today are the employees of tomorrow. If you want lower pensions, then carry on parenting the way you have been for the last 15 years.

You parents, teachers and students, young adults and children out there that think that rioting is a valid solution should ask yourselves where has it gotten you? I don't recall adults asking children to do the dirty work for them. You are a bunch of wasting cowards.

If you have a solution then why aren't you offering it? If you want change, why can't you see that is what is happening and embrace it? If you want to save a school from Special Measures, why are you not encouraging your sons and daughters to work hard in class for their grades instead of supporting them acting up at school? Why, parents, do you not take such an active role in your child's education instead of shouting at the Head, look at yourselves. You should not be so proud until your children have the results they deserve. Since when do you ask a baby what they want to eat? The response will surely be aimed at the things the child enjoys, rather than what is good for it. Of course, as a parenmt, you need to know the difference between right and wrong.

I challenge you, parents, prove that you know and heal this dreadful rift that you are causing. You harp on about the identity of the community. What are you demonstrating to your sons and daughters?

I challenge you, students, to find a better way to work together to make the future that we all must live in. The adults of today have made such a bad job, our only hope is you. Make the right choices because we didn't.

I challenge you, teachers, do your job. If you can no longer do that, then get out. But think of the impact of your long faces in the classroom. Think of the impact of a fun lesson. tink of how you will feel when your student achieve the grades. If you have given up, what will the students do? Lead by example and stop being such bad ones.

I chjallenge you, Southampton, that Change is Good. Change today because tomorrow may be too late.

One can only assume that the identity of Change.Today is none other than Mr. Oasis himself.

Such pedantry is quite misguided:
Change is Good?

In some cases it is and in others it is definitely not. Change from the silly idea of creationism to Darwinism would clearly be a good idea to the vast majority of educated people, whereas the change to ramming any particular religious doctrine down the throats of children is a very bad idea.

Whatever does chjallenge mean? It isn't in my spell checker.

Please be advised that it is the sentiment expressed in these parents', students' teachers' etc. comments that is important, not the spelling/grammar. These people are writing what they feel in their hearts.

[quote][p][bold]Change.Today[/bold] wrote: I find it surprising that so many seemingly uneducated people are making grammatically incorrect comments on this sensationalised story. I also feel that parents who are unable to supply their names to comments made against a successful Head-Teacher who turned around Cantell School's results should be prepared to be identified, rather than issue cowardly, unfounded statements which merely display their ignorance. Furthermore, I suggest that those making comments support their evidence with correct punctuation and spelling along with a rather more supportive stance of the education system. After all, the youth of today are the employees of tomorrow. If you want lower pensions, then carry on parenting the way you have been for the last 15 years. You parents, teachers and students, young adults and children out there that think that rioting is a valid solution should ask yourselves where has it gotten you? I don't recall adults asking children to do the dirty work for them. You are a bunch of wasting cowards. If you have a solution then why aren't you offering it? If you want change, why can't you see that is what is happening and embrace it? If you want to save a school from Special Measures, why are you not encouraging your sons and daughters to work hard in class for their grades instead of supporting them acting up at school? Why, parents, do you not take such an active role in your child's education instead of shouting at the Head, look at yourselves. You should not be so proud until your children have the results they deserve. Since when do you ask a baby what they want to eat? The response will surely be aimed at the things the child enjoys, rather than what is good for it. Of course, as a parenmt, you need to know the difference between right and wrong. I challenge you, parents, prove that you know and heal this dreadful rift that you are causing. You harp on about the identity of the community. What are you demonstrating to your sons and daughters? I challenge you, students, to find a better way to work together to make the future that we all must live in. The adults of today have made such a bad job, our only hope is you. Make the right choices because we didn't. I challenge you, teachers, do your job. If you can no longer do that, then get out. But think of the impact of your long faces in the classroom. Think of the impact of a fun lesson. tink of how you will feel when your student achieve the grades. If you have given up, what will the students do? Lead by example and stop being such bad ones. I chjallenge you, Southampton, that Change is Good. Change today because tomorrow may be too late. [/p][/quote]One can only assume that the identity of Change.Today is none other than Mr. Oasis himself. Such pedantry is quite misguided: Change is Good? In some cases it is and in others it is definitely not. Change from the silly idea of creationism to Darwinism would clearly be a good idea to the vast majority of educated people, whereas the change to ramming any particular religious doctrine down the throats of children is a very bad idea. Whatever does chjallenge mean? It isn't in my spell checker. Please be advised that it is the sentiment expressed in these parents', students' teachers' etc. comments that is important, not the spelling/grammar. These people are writing what they feel in their hearts. Rob444

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saintblonde says...
10:25pm Tue 21 Oct 08

wizzle wrote:

NICK PAYNTER wrote: Mrs Johnson added: “The actions I took last week give out a strong message that we will not tolerate any disruption which could harm my good name. This is almost an extract from the echo but doctored to be more accurate, anyway if the echo can print lies about the kids carrying bits of wood and smashing tv's, so can I.
Ruth.....you have managed to harm your so called good name yourself!!!! read all the above and wonder why?

How arrogant of Ruth Johnson to worry about HER "good name". It must be mainly her fault as someone rightly pointed out the other Oasis Academy seems fine!?
This woman seems to be more worried about herself than the children she is being paid a great deal of money to educate. She doesn't appear to have had a great track record and should be made to explain this shambles. If she continues to ignore parents, staff and most importantly the children she should be sacked! Funny, I haven't recieved any more feeble letters from the school regarding the overall chaos!? Wonder why? I bet her and the wretched Ann Milton would get on great. She didn't listen either.

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NICK PAYNTER says...
10:29pm Tue 21 Oct 08

I did say that I doctored Mrs Johnson interview, if you read the front. Although this is my feelings if i had done the interview.

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Change.Today says...
10:47pm Tue 21 Oct 08

If Ruth Johnson was more worried about herself, then I'm sure she would have spent much more time on the phone to people like you rather than running the education of your children - what was her job again?

And please accept my apologies for the lack of a spellchecker - it's hard submitting an intelligent rant from a mobile phone.

Of course they are writing from their hearts, but shouldn't they really be writing from their heads? Emotions aside, and logic upfront?

And since Darwinism has been brought up, I contest either strand of belief, since they are both theories; believe the one that's been around a whole 120yrs why don't you. Is that because you're well informed that you descended from apes? Or perhaps you are waiting for confirmation of that.

Change is what parents and students want, and if change happens overnight, then it is difficult to take, however necessary it is.

What this school is offering is a chance for a new start for the identity-ravaged areas of Woolston where schools have beaten each other to a pulp before. If you are content with that, then why don't you say so and admit to your wish for confrontation, and don't leave it to the ignorance of students to preach your lack of wisdom.

Of course change is hard. We become used to routine, just like the students get used to bad teachers, and bad teachers get used to lack of parental support, and bad parents get asbos.

Sort it out Southampton - make a new start, and by the way, you don't have to be a Christian to understand that there are some of the beliefs that really do have modern applications - like respect for your elders. In such a multi-faith community, we really ought to pull together and notice our similarities, not our differences.

The other Oasis Academy is probably working because parents and teachers aren't ****, but being supportive. Where's the unity in Southampton? I guess it's reflected in the community, so well done, you should be oh so very proud.

Change Today because Tomorrow is Too Late

If Ruth Johnson was more worried about herself, then I'm sure she would have spent much more time on the phone to people like you rather than running the education of your children - what was her job again? And please accept my apologies for the lack of a spellchecker - it's hard submitting an intelligent rant from a mobile phone. Of course they are writing from their hearts, but shouldn't they really be writing from their heads? Emotions aside, and logic upfront? And since Darwinism has been brought up, I contest either strand of belief, since they are both theories; believe the one that's been around a whole 120yrs why don't you. Is that because you're well informed that you descended from apes? Or perhaps you are waiting for confirmation of that. Change is what parents and students want, and if change happens overnight, then it is difficult to take, however necessary it is. What this school is offering is a chance for a new start for the identity-ravaged areas of Woolston where schools have beaten each other to a pulp before. If you are content with that, then why don't you say so and admit to your wish for confrontation, and don't leave it to the ignorance of students to preach your lack of wisdom. Of course change is hard. We become used to routine, just like the students get used to bad teachers, and bad teachers get used to lack of parental support, and bad parents get asbos. Sort it out Southampton - make a new start, and by the way, you don't have to be a Christian to understand that there are some of the beliefs that really do have modern applications - like respect for your elders. In such a multi-faith community, we really ought to pull together and notice our similarities, not our differences. The other Oasis Academy is probably working because parents and teachers aren't ****, but being supportive. Where's the unity in Southampton? I guess it's reflected in the community, so well done, you should be oh so very proud. Change Today because Tomorrow is Too Late Change.Today

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Change.Today says...
11:00pm Tue 21 Oct 08

I find it interesting that you find it easier to blame this Ruth person than yourselves, but then again, I guess it's easier to blame someone else rather than your own inadequacy.

Teachers that are leaving are doing so because they cannot cope, and possibly never have been able to, with change, progress, or students. They are doing the Academy a service by doing so.

Parents, I urge you to pull together. This Academy has been in place for just over a month. Have you really given it a chance?

Perhaps you should be angry with the Government initiatives, not the people carrying it out. It's the same as you knowing the right way to raise your children; would it be right for anyone to tell YOU how to do it?

The 20 or so people commenting here should realise that there are thousands that are not. It's a matter of perspective, and maybe, just maybe, you have it wrong.

Miss Change Today,
and regret it tomorrow

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Orry-exgrove teacher says...
11:05pm Tue 21 Oct 08

sorry change today, didn't catch you name again....Mr Ruth Johnston was it....?

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Orry-exgrove teacher says...
11:08pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Funny how some peoplr despite overwheling evidence to the contrary will just believe whatever they want.....religious fundamentalism anyone!

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insider83 says...
11:08pm Tue 21 Oct 08

am still convinced that change.today is actually Ruth ( the head ) herself
if people want to do something more constructive then steve chalk ( CEO of oasis Community learing and Howard Green ( director of education for Oasis) should here ur (constructive)critis
isms they are both contactable by email it is just there names ( as above but with a . in between first and last name) @oasisuk.org happy emailing people, pupils email too! this is ur future.

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Rob444 says...
11:17pm Tue 21 Oct 08

So, no denial from Change.Today that he isn't Mr. Oasis, a.k.a. Rev. S. Chalk.

Why on earth is he using a nom-de-plume? I was under the impression that he had the courage of his convictions and courted publicity.

Oh well, that's creationists for you, making it up as they go along, interpreting old folk stories as though they were fact. Just sheep really, with no minds of their own.

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insider83 says...
11:21pm Tue 21 Oct 08

rob444 i dont really think that Mr Chalks choice of faith is the problem, being a Christian doesn't make someone bad at managing and organising... being a bad manager and organiser makes someone bad at managing and organising ! lol

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wilko says...
11:27pm Tue 21 Oct 08

I worked at Grove / Weston park for five years and was fortunate to have the opportunity to make my own decision as to whether or not I would stay there for this academic year, unlike the students who appear to be stuck in a school that is not delivering the standard of education that either of the predecessor schools delivered. The open evenings, literature and even the initial bid promised an exciting new school with everything that every pupil, parent and teacher would want - many of which were already in place. However Oasis appear to have had a policy of dismantling everything that was in place in either of the schools, and not replacing it, or replacing it with something of a lesser standard.

What Oasis seemed to spend the last year developing was the branding of the new school. Nothing at all to do with teaching and learning.

I can understand why the pupils and parents are frustrated because they have been let down, and the promises that have made have not been met. Individual needs of students appear to be being neglected, and students who I know would have made it through the school under the old management are now being permanently excluded.

With falling pupil numbers in the city it is obvious that change needed to be made, however if pupils are being let down then this change has clearly not been for the better.

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Rob444 says...
11:40pm Tue 21 Oct 08

insider83 wrote:
rob444 i dont really think that Mr Chalks choice of faith is the problem, being a Christian doesn't make someone bad at managing and organising... being a bad manager and organiser makes someone bad at managing and organising ! lol

I agree with your reasoning 100 percent.

I just happen to believe that brainwashing anyone, particularly children, is evil.

Teaching about various religions is fine, it is education, but needs to be done in an unbiased way. If parents choose to bring their children up in a particular faith then that's fine, bur schools (including academies) are not the place for such teachings.

Sunday schools and mosques etc. are the places for teaching Christianity, Islam, etc.

Apologies for causing any misunderstanding.

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sholingmum says...
11:44pm Tue 21 Oct 08

Maybe if Mrs Johnson spent some time in the classrooms she might get a better idea of what is going on. Mr Freeman (former Headteacher of Grove Park) not only taught a few lessons every week, he also carried out senior staff on call duties. By going into the classroom the boys saw a different side to him - as well as being a good disciplinarian,he showed he could go "back to basics". Maybe Mrs Johnson needs to do this.

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Vonnie says...
12:44am Wed 22 Oct 08

Mr Change Today is a real politician. An awful lot of words to say absolutely nothing.
Who says change is what parents and students want? Even if that were true, when change has happened, particularly without consent, and that change is not managed properly, as it obviously has not been in this particular case, then in no way can it be good or desirable.
Where is the unity in Southampton, he/she asks? You only have to read the comments on this forum and I think you will see unity.
I haven't seen one comment praising Ms Johnson as front of house manager (that is what she as Headmistress is,) or for Oasis itself for ignoring and not listening to parents and students; for pushing out expulsions without proper investigation; etc etc. If I treated my customers in such a high handed, arrogant, manner, I would very quickly have no business.
The school SHOULD be offering " a chance for a new start" but from what I have read it very obviously is not. That is just all so much treacly advertising puff.
"Logic up front" tells me that there is a obviously a problem with this amalgamated school and it won't go away just by ignoring it, and it won't be solved by individuals coming the high and mighty, patronising, Lord of the Manor, "we know what's best for you" attitude either.

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Random23 says...
7:45am Wed 22 Oct 08

It is unfair that us the pupils are having a christian ethos force fed to us. As Rob444 said, the place for teaching religion is in a place of worship, or even an R.E lesson!

Neither of the sets of pupils signed up to this christian ethos, because we signed up to woolston school and grove park, not oasis academy.

Alex W.

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NICK PAYNTER says...
8:26am Wed 22 Oct 08

In answer to change today, we were told, Mrs Johnson has never met my son, let alone taught him. None of the staff at the woolston or Grove site, at any time of the day know where she is, so what is her job, smart arse?

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AngrySotonResident says...
8:56am Wed 22 Oct 08

john do wrote:

Change.Today wrote: I find it surprising that so many seemingly uneducated people are making grammatically incorrect comments on this sensationalised story. I also feel that parents who are unable to supply their names to comments made against a successful Head-Teacher who turned around Cantell School's results should be prepared to be identified, rather than issue cowardly, unfounded statements which merely display their ignorance. Furthermore, I suggest that those making comments support their evidence with correct punctuation and spelling along with a rather more supportive stance of the education system. After all, the youth of today are the employees of tomorrow. If you want lower pensions, then carry on parenting the way you have been for the last 15 years. You parents, teachers and students, young adults and children out there that think that rioting is a valid solution should ask yourselves where has it gotten you? I don't recall adults asking children to do the dirty work for them. You are a bunch of wasting cowards. If you have a solution then why aren't you offering it? If you want change, why can't you see that is what is happening and embrace it? If you want to save a school from Special Measures, why are you not encouraging your sons and daughters to work hard in class for their grades instead of supporting them acting up at school? Why, parents, do you not take such an active role in your child's education instead of shouting at the Head, look at yourselves. You should not be so proud until your children have the results they deserve. Since when do you ask a baby what they want to eat? The response will surely be aimed at the things the child enjoys, rather than what is good for it. Of course, as a parenmt, you need to know the difference between right and wrong. I challenge you, parents, prove that you know and heal this dreadful rift that you are causing. You harp on about the identity of the community. What are you demonstrating to your sons and daughters? I challenge you, students, to find a better way to work together to make the future that we all must live in. The adults of today have made such a bad job, our only hope is you. Make the right choices because we didn't. I challenge you, teachers, do your job. If you can no longer do that, then get out. But think of the impact of your long faces in the classroom. Think of the impact of a fun lesson. tink of how you will feel when your student achieve the grades. If you have given up, what will the students do? Lead by example and stop being such bad ones. I chjallenge you, Southampton, that Change is Good. Change today because tomorrow may be too late.
you say to people show your real name but you cant even do it so you are not setting a good exsample

Boring!

I chanllenge you to hold a meeting, with you as chair and listen to the views of all the parents and students who were happy with two sites remaining without change and intervention of the Oasis acadamy.

A famous adage goes 'if it isn't broken then why fix it.' Well both schools were doing well without being interfered with by the education authority.

[quote][p][bold]john do[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Change.Today[/bold] wrote: I find it surprising that so many seemingly uneducated people are making grammatically incorrect comments on this sensationalised story. I also feel that parents who are unable to supply their names to comments made against a successful Head-Teacher who turned around Cantell School's results should be prepared to be identified, rather than issue cowardly, unfounded statements which merely display their ignorance. Furthermore, I suggest that those making comments support their evidence with correct punctuation and spelling along with a rather more supportive stance of the education system. After all, the youth of today are the employees of tomorrow. If you want lower pensions, then carry on parenting the way you have been for the last 15 years. You parents, teachers and students, young adults and children out there that think that rioting is a valid solution should ask yourselves where has it gotten you? I don't recall adults asking children to do the dirty work for them. You are a bunch of wasting cowards. If you have a solution then why aren't you offering it? If you want change, why can't you see that is what is happening and embrace it? If you want to save a school from Special Measures, why are you not encouraging your sons and daughters to work hard in class for their grades instead of supporting them acting up at school? Why, parents, do you not take such an active role in your child's education instead of shouting at the Head, look at yourselves. You should not be so proud until your children have the results they deserve. Since when do you ask a baby what they want to eat? The response will surely be aimed at the things the child enjoys, rather than what is good for it. Of course, as a parenmt, you need to know the difference between right and wrong. I challenge you, parents, prove that you know and heal this dreadful rift that you are causing. You harp on about the identity of the community. What are you demonstrating to your sons and daughters? I challenge you, students, to find a better way to work together to make the future that we all must live in. The adults of today have made such a bad job, our only hope is you. Make the right choices because we didn't. I challenge you, teachers, do your job. If you can no longer do that, then get out. But think of the impact of your long faces in the classroom. Think of the impact of a fun lesson. tink of how you will feel when your student achieve the grades. If you have given up, what will the students do? Lead by example and stop being such bad ones. I chjallenge you, Southampton, that Change is Good. Change today because tomorrow may be too late. [/p][/quote]you say to people show your real name but you cant even do it so you are not setting a good exsample[/p][/quote]Boring! I chanllenge you to hold a meeting, with you as chair and listen to the views of all the parents and students who were happy with two sites remaining without change and intervention of the Oasis acadamy. A famous adage goes 'if it isn't broken then why fix it.' Well both schools were doing well without being interfered with by the education authority. AngrySotonResident

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davesbabe says...
11:46am Wed 22 Oct 08

Change.Today wrote:
I find it surprising that so many seemingly uneducated people are making grammatically incorrect comments on this sensationalised story. I also feel that parents who are unable to supply their names to comments made against a successful Head-Teacher who turned around Cantell School's results should be prepared to be identified, rather than issue cowardly, unfounded statements which merely display their ignorance. Furthermore, I suggest that those making comments support their evidence with correct punctuation and spelling along with a rather more supportive stance of the education system. After all, the youth of today are the employees of tomorrow. If you want lower pensions, then carry on parenting the way you have been for the last 15 years. You parents, teachers and students, young adults and children out there that think that rioting is a valid solution should ask yourselves where has it gotten you? I don't recall adults asking children to do the dirty work for them. You are a bunch of wasting cowards. If you have a solution then why aren't you offering it? If you want change, why can't you see that is what is happening and embrace it? If you want to save a school from Special Measures, why are you not encouraging your sons and daughters to work hard in class for their grades instead of supporting them acting up at school? Why, parents, do you not take such an active role in your child's education instead of shouting at the Head, look at yourselves. You should not be so proud until your children have the results they deserve. Since when do you ask a baby what they want to eat? The response will surely be aimed at the things the child enjoys, rather than what is good for it. Of course, as a parenmt, you need to know the difference between right and wrong. I challenge you, parents, prove that you know and heal this dreadful rift that you are causing. You harp on about the identity of the community. What are you demonstrating to your sons and daughters? I challenge you, students, to find a better way to work together to make the future that we all must live in. The adults of today have made such a bad job, our only hope is you. Make the right choices because we didn't. I challenge you, teachers, do your job. If you can no longer do that, then get out. But think of the impact of your long faces in the classroom. Think of the impact of a fun lesson. tink of how you will feel when your student achieve the grades. If you have given up, what will the students do? Lead by example and stop being such bad ones. I chjallenge you, Southampton, that Change is Good. Change today because tomorrow may be too late.

you need to check your own punctuation and grammer mate, stop being ridiculous!!, it doesnt matter about all that, we are trying to get an education for our children!, the principal is crap and we want shot of her, simple!!

[quote][p][bold]Change.Today[/bold] wrote: I find it surprising that so many seemingly uneducated people are making grammatically incorrect comments on this sensationalised story. I also feel that parents who are unable to supply their names to comments made against a successful Head-Teacher who turned around Cantell School's results should be prepared to be identified, rather than issue cowardly, unfounded statements which merely display their ignorance. Furthermore, I suggest that those making comments support their evidence with correct punctuation and spelling along with a rather more supportive stance of the education system. After all, the youth of today are the employees of tomorrow. If you want lower pensions, then carry on parenting the way you have been for the last 15 years. You parents, teachers and students, young adults and children out there that think that rioting is a valid solution should ask yourselves where has it gotten you? I don't recall adults asking children to do the dirty work for them. You are a bunch of wasting cowards. If you have a solution then why aren't you offering it? If you want change, why can't you see that is what is happening and embrace it? If you want to save a school from Special Measures, why are you not encouraging your sons and daughters to work hard in class for their grades instead of supporting them acting up at school? Why, parents, do you not take such an active role in your child's education instead of shouting at the Head, look at yourselves. You should not be so proud until your children have the results they deserve. Since when do you ask a baby what they want to eat? The response will surely be aimed at the things the child enjoys, rather than what is good for it. Of course, as a parenmt, you need to know the difference between right and wrong. I challenge you, parents, prove that you know and heal this dreadful rift that you are causing. You harp on about the identity of the community. What are you demonstrating to your sons and daughters? I challenge you, students, to find a better way to work together to make the future that we all must live in. The adults of today have made such a bad job, our only hope is you. Make the right choices because we didn't. I challenge you, teachers, do your job. If you can no longer do that, then get out. But think of the impact of your long faces in the classroom. Think of the impact of a fun lesson. tink of how you will feel when your student achieve the grades. If you have given up, what will the students do? Lead by example and stop being such bad ones. I chjallenge you, Southampton, that Change is Good. Change today because tomorrow may be too late. [/p][/quote]you need to check your own punctuation and grammer mate, stop being ridiculous!!, it doesnt matter about all that, we are trying to get an education for our children!, the principal is crap and we want shot of her, simple!! davesbabe

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kein says...
4:03pm Wed 22 Oct 08

MRS. JOHNSONS EMAIL ADDRESS !!!!!!11
ruth.johnson@oasisma
yfield.org

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kein says...
4:09pm Wed 22 Oct 08

MRS.JOHNSONS EMAIL ADDRESS!!!!!!!!!!
Ruth.Johnson@oasisma
yfield.org

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Random23 says...
5:22pm Wed 22 Oct 08

Change today, I think you'll find that the majority, if not all, of the pupils, parents and staff have suggested ways to improve an awful situation. Thousands of people petitioned against the merging, and were they listened to? Pupils at the grove site held a peaceful protest on the field, which by the way we're not allowed on, and were they listened to?

No is the simple answer. None of our points have been listened to. Isn't the point of a school to help us learn? Not to send us underqualified supply teachers for many lessons. Not to banish us from the field and certainly not to make us squash through the smallest of doors just to get out!

Change today, I challenge you to try and get your voice heard by Oasis, and if you are infact Steve Chalk, listen to us, the pupils, staff and parents and change the shambles of Oasis academy mayfield for the better.

Alex W.

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Portswood Pete says...
7:19pm Wed 22 Oct 08

It's okay everybody, Oasis have it covered, the solution is to hire another 2 deputy principles, I kid you not, if you look at the website for the school you'll see that that brings the amount of deputies up to 14!!! Fantastic, talk about too many chiefs.

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wizard says...
7:39pm Wed 22 Oct 08

if your as worried about your kids future schooling as i am email me at
oasisacademyparents@

gmail.com
we can then organise all these views and decide what action to take

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Ex woolston student says...
10:44pm Fri 24 Oct 08

These parents are the same parents that had their child attend the previous grove or woolstion site. There were no issues with parenting before and i think that is sickening that some people have the nerve to insult familys they dont know, like they are some kind of expert!! unless you are super nanny your opinion is worthless!!!!!! why are you people judging parents you dont know? this shows the depth of your own STUPIDITY!! My sister was a part of the strike and we were not brought up like scum we have been given oportunities that most dont have. i have good GCSE's went onto college and gained 3 a levels, i was a previous head prefect,i now have a great full time job that i enjoy, so obviously me and my sister have "Unfit parents". The schools dont listen and they are trying to put the blame on parents when they should be supporting familys and trying to solve this issue. atleast the echo listen!!!!!!

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mmmmm says...
9:09am Sat 25 Oct 08

It's not Ruth Johnson's fault that she has been handed a school on a split site that decision was handed to her by the DFES, despite her pleas for portacabins on the GP site. Obviously the points raised in the last few days will reiterate her calls for alternative arrangements.

I was there last Thursday. The Echo has exaggerated the story in real tabloid style, something it has been criticised for quite heavily on these boards recently. There were no weapons, chunks of wood; I saw wires pulled from a plasma screen TV and two fire door hinges pulled down. Some paper was pulled down from display boards, but this has been going on for weeks by some individuals determined to cause unrest. What was inexcusable was a group of kids charging through a science prep room, surely they realise there are dangerous chemicals and glass in that area? There were about 40 kids involved, I saw 3 girls, the rest were boys. Not knowing names of some individuals as they are new to me, I cannot comment on whether or not the right kids have paid the price, ie been excluded.

There is absolutely no way Ruth Johnson was and I quote “Locked in the medical room” while it happened.

Yes, there are some teething problems, but the kids who want to be treated like adults could behave like adults and wait in an orderly fashion for their teachers to arrive, respect the environment and realise that we aren’t going to go back to the way it was, think ahead, and be positiv

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cross of woolston says...
10:44pm Sun 26 Oct 08

someone out there is trying to coordinate - join this site and let's try to do something in a sensible, articulate manner!!!!
http://oasisacademyp
arents.info/index.ph
p

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