Hammersmith Academy

anyone thinking of taking their children to this school should think hard, with no exam records, I would think hard as to their claim for being a good school, I see it as a brand new building with money flooding in from sponsors and not invested into employing good teachers. I don't believe the claimed "good status" reflects on the ability of these children! if you want to send your child to a school which has a brand new building and up-to-date computers, reasonably well dressed young teachers, by all means do...I will not send my child there! I have set my diary to see 2016 GCSE, I pray they prove me wrong!

Does anyone have any more views on this school one year on? I'm in K & C but looking at all schools within a couple of miles. Holland Park, Kensington Academy and Burlington danes are our closest though.

Went to the Open Evening last week & really impressed - the kids were amazing, and it was all about them. The building is fabulous, really enthusiastic staff & the headteacher spoke well - seems to have a complete focus on the priorities, but it was just the kids that blew me away - if DD can be like that in 12 months time, then definitely considering HA as a really valid alternative to Godolphin. Does anyone know whether I can do anything to help DD to practice for the entrance tests, or what sort of things they ask ?

DD went to an amazing induction day this week at Richmond Park academy in Sheen. They also did a day for Y4 kids who were all raving -DD very excited about joining. They had a good ofsted suggest you take a look. The head seems very good

Well it just got Good with Outstanding features with Ofsted, and I know Ofsted has got much tougher.

Can you actually find another school which has space and isn't worse?

I sent my daughter to Hammersmith Academy as I was very impressed with the open day. But I am very disappointed with the academy mainly because of the high turn over of staff which is now leading to very poor behaviour. My daughter has now had seven maths teachers since September meaning on average they stay for just over a month before departing. My daughter complains that maths lessons are very noisy and full of disruption. Similarly, she has had a number of science and French/Spanish teachers. I am now looking to pull my daughter out of the academy because I fear that the situation will only get worse. When I meet with other parents, they share similar views. Also my daughter says the academy seems to spend a lot of effort in ensuring that the students are dressed smartly but there's a number children who seem to disrupt lessons without being dealt with properly. Overall, very disappointing.

I am thinking of Hammersmith Academy for my severely dyslexic son. He doesn't have any other difficulties other than dyslexia - a very happy outgoing child in general. If you have a dyslexic child attending Hammersmith Academy, can you please share your experiences with me?

All the lessons are 90 minutes. I quite liked that aspect - less rushing from one thing to another, time to finish an activity not cut short by the bell...

I wasn't able to find out if they stream classes or particular subjects, and if so when and how. The system at some of the other schools I've visited has shocked me, so am curious about how they plan to do it at the Hammersmith Academy.

Burlington Danes for example, lists every student in the entire year, ranked individually in points, and puts the list up in the corridoor for everyone to see - complete with bright red highlighting for those at the bottom of the list. They gain and lose points constantly, every single lesson I think!

I went this morning and thought the building was impressive - who would have though such a large sports hall was in there? The outside space was ok with the limited number of children there at the moment, but will be a little cramped when it's full unless they are very clever with the timing of breaks. I'm finding it difficult to imagine what strapping 15 year-old boys do at breaktime, though, as I'm only used to a 10 year-old who likes nothing better than
playing football. The 2 boys showing us around mentioned detentions a number of times - I guess the discipline policy must be making an impact! The headmaster's speech was full of slides and waffle, but no information about sports (I gather they go to Ravenscourt Park sometimes, which isn't great) or setting. I was completely confused about lesson length - if they are 90 mins then that's too long for an academic subject. The teachers seemed nice.

I liked the talk at the WLFS but I really wish there was a building to see - who knows what the facilities are going to be?

Nice to hear someone else's view educatedrita. I think you had the same guide as us - she said she spent every break in the library! It was late and dark when we arrived but I did wonder where the playground was...

In the head's speech he seemed keen to mention that children had got in from outside the priority area, so you never know.

We went last night and I have a mixed set of views. I was greatly impressed by the building and its facilities as well as the staff and pupils that we met. On the other hand - and as I kept reminding my dd - it is important not to to be completely swayed by the building and kit, as it doesn't necessarily make a great school.

I wasn't sure whether there was enough outdoor space. Our tour guide told us that she went to the library at lunch time. I was also a bit worried about the length of the lessons (90 minutes). This is great for some subjects but could a nightmare if a child was bored.

I thought that the Head's speech was OK - not hugely inspiring - and I wasn't that interested in hearing about the school in Sandwell.

We are going to apply for three state schools and don't live in H&F, so probably wouldn't get HA. I know that they did take some pupils from outside this year, but haven't been able to find out how many. My dd wants to put HA as choice 2 - I would have probably said 3 but can live with this!

Did anyone go to the Hammersmith Academy open evening today? Any thoughts? The building was spacious and cheery and the kids seemed happy, but the head's speech was dire. His vision seems to be secondary school as a 5 year back to work course organised by the job centre.

My husband mentioned what was said about vocational subjects.
My son is very sporty but also very much into his maths, English, Geography etc. He doesn't like art or things like that.

However my next child who is in yr3 at the moment is the opposite. She isn't as bright as my son & is behind most of her peers. She love to dance, play the recorder (rather badly lol but enjoys it none the less), sewing, art etc..... so i can see how the WLFS would probably not be a school suitable for my daughter.
It would seem that somewhere like Phoenix would suit her better.

My head is spinning, you lovely ladies have given me lots to think about.

xpost sinclair, definitely looking down on certain subjects.

and will they ever stop harping on about the Latin

Did you see the library educatedrita?! Plenty of shelf space at least...

The focus on academic rather than vocational I don't think I have a problem with, as other schools in the area do the reverse and that would be a far more annoying scenario. Very snobby attitude though, especially the way he put it.

Interesting, opinion if really divided on the curriculum at WLFS isn't it? My son liked the sound of what was said - he heard 'sport' rather than 'Latin' of course - but the lack of vocational subjects and the sense that they were ever so slightly looking down on that area of the curriculum I found quite narrow minded. If you visit Phoenix you will see brilliantly equipped kitchen and sewing rooms, and for many children like my DD who would aspire to work in a professional kitchen someday that would be outstanding provision. My mum taught DS for years and i work in that area so i am slightly biased.

B Danes people are starting to talk about again, i assume they have posted a good set of 16+ results?? no idea re admissions area tho.

Just catching up with this thread after work.

I went to the London Free School the other evening with the idea that it would definitely be a school that we would put down as an option. I listened to the Head's speech and then Toby Young and my heart began to sink. The problem for me is that not every child will thrive against the background of such a a narrow curriculum and I think that there is a place for vocational subjects, if they are taught properly. I obviously knew about the range of subjects which they intend to offer before my visit, but the talks (and the ideas behind it) began to worry me. For example, the Head specifically said something to the effect that they wouldn't offer subjects like 'Travel and Tourism'. Actually, some relatives of ours, who were not at all academic, are both developing very good careers from doing this subject and are gainfully employed. I know plenty of arts graduates who are really struggling and are applying for jobs in admin!

Even after the talks, I was possibly prepared to consider the school if my dd liked it. The problem was that all the rooms seemed really bare and (other than some of the children we met), we just didn't find what we saw particularly inspiring. Of course- and as someone said to me, you could argue that the school hasn't been opened long and wouldn't have much to show. I then remembered that way back in my career, I was involved in setting up a new local authority school and we put a lot of thought into this very problem - and did manage to put on an open evening that held the interest of parents and children.

I haven't heard much about Burlington Danes but I've read that it is better than Henry Compton & i believe Hurlingham & Chelsea in the English & Maths.
My son is good at Maths & got 5C in Maths last year so i want him to go to a school where he'll be pushed with his maths as he really enjoys maths.
It's hard to get information from people about schools other than the ones the kids all tend to go to around here which is Henry Compton, H&C, Fulham Cross and Lady Margarets. All the schools have the - straight line distance thing which worries me as the schools i would prefer are further away from us than the 2 schools i don't like.

I can see that from W14, Chelsea Academy would be out of the running.

Holland Park is such a large school, there are bound to be some awful kids - and it is the awful ones that the public notice. It does, however do pretty well at GCSE, including in the English Bacc. Although it gives preference to children attending primary school in K & C, it might be worth checking if they do take any children from W14 which is pretty close, after all.

Would another possibility be Burlington Danes in the north of H & F?

We're in W14.
My husband and his family are of the mindset that no matter what school a child goes to that if they are good they will still do well.
Whilst i agree with that to some extent..... I'd rather my son go to a decent school and not somewhere like Henry Compton where he could possibly be dragged down by the kids who are badly behaved & not interested in working.

Think I'm going to have more grey hair by the end of this lol.

It really depends what you are looking for doesn't it - Holland Park is very sought after from this end of borough (W12) as we are so close, but they only accept from RBKC so virtually impossible to get in.

For Rita in terms of HA, it is too early for me to make any objective comments as it is our first experience of secondary generally and also as they are a new school I think they are finding their feet with communication etc too. The initial impression is strict (detentions already) but not uncaring, in terms of my DD she has had excellent support from day 1 and before, and the staff I have met have been enthusiastic and impressive. There seems to be masses of homework but that may be standard Y7 and of course there is no PTA or parent governors yet so no channels of communication there either. Time will tell so not much help for you guys this year and like you I feel we did all make a massive leap of faith, Academy and Free School parents alike when we opted for it

We've looked at Ashcroft but they said from the intake this year the furthest away a child lives in 1.5 miles......and we live 2.8 miles. It's only 3 stops on the tube & my son really like it there. Also when my sons school at a meeting with the parents the teacher talking said that in the 10 years he's been at the school they've never had a child accepted into Ashcroft.

The teacher also said that Chelsea Academy will only be taking kids from k&c and said not to even bother applying to a place there because we won't get a place.

I looked at Holland park school but all i keep hearing are negative comments. My mum works near there & all i hear from her are bad things and her friend who's a PCSO also said the kids are awful & I've heard a lot of comments about bullying. My son is intelligent and quiet & i worry about him going to a school with a reputation like that.

The local school is just the pits, typical that i live closest to the worst school in the borough.

Have you looked at Ashcroft or Elliot in Putney as additional, fairly accessible, options? If you live on the eastern edge of Fulham you might have a chance with Chelsea Academy which although CofE, only reserves 50% of places for church applicants. Also in K&C is Holland Park which you would have a reasonable chance of getting into.

Sorry toutlemonde but the last part of your post made me laugh.
Are you a resident of h&f too or out of the borough?
I agree our choices are dire & i'm stressed out about getting my son into a decent school.

I was not impressed by free school last night either - head seemed to have nothing to say apart from 'girls and boys you must be good' (patronising pompous...). It all felt like a show and that everyone was playacting at running a school. Annoying the way they barely acknowledged that as the school had only been open a couple of weeks, and a lot of that taken up with trips and press stuff, they needed to do the open day a little differently.

They made all the poor kids who had stayed around as tour guides stand in the pissing rain to wait for parents to show around - bad impression.

They also didn't manage to organise a microphone for the head's speech even though they had the same problem at the open day last week and plenty of time to resolve it - shambles.

Having said all that, and despite the fact that sending a child of mine to this tory wet dream school makes me want to vomit through my eyes, I will probably still put down as one of the six - choices are all dire.