Latymer Upper-drug issues?

OP, I don't know about this school, but my dd school has th odd 6th former who drinks, takes drugs etc.
They have zero tolerance to drugs and those identified are expelled, not even suspended.
Depending on the individual circumstances of drinking it is either suspension or expulsion.
There can be drugs in any school, imo it's how the school handle the situation and their policies.

stateschoolparent I share your concern for the children in question and I happen to know a few of the families. It's dreadful for them. But I was told the smoking happened inside the school. The fact that it's legal in the US means very little, it's legal to marry a 13 year old in Yemen. What matters is that possession is illegal here and a 13 year old knows that. If they don't, then the parents have not had the many important talks we had with DS before he started secondary school. Yes, teenagers can be impulsive, foolish and risk takers, but if the school has to treat them as such thus giving a second chance for most infringements, where do you draw the line? I would expect the same action the school has taken in this case to be taken in a case of continuous bullying, sexting, harassment, etc.

choselatymer- I agree that no-one seems to know what happened. I was told by a Latymer parent that it was off the premises. This may not be true although I would be surprised if there was anywhere on the Latymer site 7 pupils could safely smoke cannabis. As for the school's action making other children 'think twice', I doubt it will make any difference in the long run. Indeed a quick google search shows 6 Latymer pupils "disciplined' for smoking cannabis in 2005, 4 pupils expelled for ecstasy in 2006 and 4 expelled for cocaine in 2010. Cannabis is now even legal in some US states and IMO a 13/14 year old is too young to be expelled for it without a second chance. Teenagers' brains are wired to be impulsive/take foolish risks and they need help overcoming the lure of drugs . A final warning/drugs testing regime would IMO clearly be more likely to achieve that than expulsion, and avoid damaging the education of seven kids with potentially great academic futures. I don't see how the school can help the families "navigate the situation" -its a bit late for that.

I would be VERY surprised if a school expelled a bunch of students for smoking cannabis out of school. Surely that would require drugs education & possibly testing.

In school however, definitely should be expelled.

stateschoolparent as I understand, the smoking happened in the premises. It is inadmissible. The school's swift action means other children will think twice before doing the same. It has sent a clear message. The school is helping the families to navigate the situation. The school conducted interviews and neither you nor me know what those interviews revealed in terms of it being a repeated offence or some of those children dealing or profiting from it. We just don't know. The children knew what they were doing and if it was my child I would be taking responsibility for his/her behaviour.

The Sunday Times reported that Latymer has expelled or "forced out" seven year 9 pupils (so seven 13-14 year olds) for cannabis. I presume they were smoking it off the school premises and I am slightly shocked that people are " delighted by the school's swift and firm approach to situation". What if it was their son or daughter who was "forced out" and where are they supposed to go in the middle of the school year? To damage the academic careers of seven bright young people who were only 13/14 seems to me wholly disproportionate to the alleged offence.
Indeed The Sunday Times quotes Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council, as saying some schools have more lenient policies."In some schools, if a pupil is found to be in possession of a soft drug they might be given a second chance — but would be put on a regime of drugs testing,” he said. Surely a second chance coupled with a final warning/drugs testing would have been more appropriate here, particularly for a school which is supposed to be progressive?

Foxes do LU do drug awareness earlier than year 10. You seem to be implying that is so. I only ask because I have DC at London indies and they do drug awareness only in / from Year 10 but OP implied some issues with 13 year olds ( so year 8 or 9) so presumably they might not have had that programme unless LU do earlier. I don't think that affects your decision OP at all, the right fit is the most important thing ( and DD had offer for and seriously considered LU ie I would have been happy for her to go there, but for other reasons she chose elsewhere ). I'm just interested that's all. The other LU parents on this thread seem happy the issue is dealt with .

BTW princessllama, my DD is fairly geeky too and has fitted right in! The school really encourages students to think independently and pursue their own interests, however esoteric they may be!

My DD is at LU and in the same year group as the students involved, although not in the same friendship groups. As a previous poster has said, every school will have some kind of issue like this at some point. LU's school rules are very clear about a zero-tolerance policy towards any kind of drugs and the school provides regular drug awareness sessions for students and parents. I think it's incredibly sad for all concerned when something like this happens in a school and you can bet that the head will have lost sleep over this, but the school has acted swiftly and communicated very clearly with the parents of the whole year group about this. It's a fantastic school and this issue hasn't made me feel any differently about it at all; my DD loves the school and is thriving there

Drugs are an 'issue' at every secondary school in the country, tbh .At least this school has been seen to be dealing with it.

I'm pretty sure that every school has this crop up at some point. I have no knowledge of LU but I think all independents are acutely aware ensuring parents informed on anything to do with the drug misuse. And thats starts from educating the parents in what to look out for, down to tackling individual pupils. I don't think any school can pretend it's never happened at their school and it shouldn't put you off if its the right school for your child. It will happen at all schools despite the best efforts of staff and parents.

Also, have heard about this via friends, who were delighted by school's swift and firm approach to situation. Drugs are an issue at all London schools - outside London too. My friends love the school, I wouldn't let this put you off, quite the opposite.

I understand from a friend who is a current LU parent that there has been a recent situation involving a small number of students, which has been dealt with firmly and on a zero-tolerance basis. Friend (whose DD was not involved) remains very happy with the school, and if anything reassured by the firm approach to this incident and good open communication between school and parents about it.