I'VE not long left Hadden Park High school after some very successful GCSE results – eight GCSEs A*-B and 2 BTecs – to progress on to Bilborough College where I am currently studying A-levels in biology, chemistry, maths and geography.
I'd had a good day at college the other day and then I came home to read the newspaper and nearly choked on my cup of tea when I read that Hadden Park had been branded "inadequate" by Ofsted inspectors. I felt compelled to contact the Nottingham Post and express my views on this extremely unfair predicament.
Their judgment on Hadden Park is simply degrading. During my time at Hadden Park I have never seen any racism take place, undoubtedly I have seen bullying, but name a school where bullying does not take place.
As for reading that Ofsted had blamed the teaching for the lack of progress by pupils. Well, I owe my success to the members of staff at Hadden Park, namely Mr Craig Dean (geography), Mr Elliot Smith – who marked around 30 essays of mine in total that I wrote in preparation for my English literature exam, Patrick Flory (science), Mrs Booth (science) and Mr Hall (history).
The truth is that I was surrounded by such a wealth of experienced and educated teachers that I received all the help I needed to be a success.
Not only that, but many teachers at Hadden Park are inspirational, this is why I think Ofsted's report is unfair.
The head teacher, Gareth Owen, has run a marathon as well as many other teachers, such as assistant head Craig Dean and Head of PE Gareth Cutts.
This inspired me to run the Ikano Robin Hood half marathon in aid of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation ( as I am type 1 diabetic) in 1hr 44mins. I now aim to do the London 2014 Marathon, just like them.
Moreover, Hadden Park has always been a school that faced stereotypical criticism, and at a time when the members of staff there are doing all they can year on year to improve the Key Stage 4 results to compete with the national average, I feel the outcome of this report has done more damage than good.
Students of Hadden Park should be proud like I was to be surrounded by high quality teaching and I will always recommend the school when I get to the top of my profession (I want to be a GP) using the skills I learnt there.
I feel the outcome of the Ofsted report has increased the idea that it is not a good school, but I aim to change that idea because I know from experience it is simply not true.
It is true the school needs to improve, but I blame this on the lack of funding that the school receives and other external factors, and feel that the teaching is definitely not to blame.
I feel quite mad just reading the report, so I can't imagine how the members of staff must feel!
My family and friends also express very similar views to me which is why I thought I'd write to the Post.
My sister will attend Hadden Park next year after moving up from Brocklewood. It is the kids who will suffer, by believing that the school they attend is of low quality. This will just decrease the confidence of the students and allow them to feel that they can't make something of themselves.
I have complete confidence along with my family that she will be a success at Hadden Park, surrounded by not just educated teachers but inspirational teachers, which is why we have chosen for her to go there.
