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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Any current Maida Vale School parents?

55 replies

stclair · 12/02/2023 08:21

Dd has been offered a place to start year 7. I loved the environment and the feel of the school but would LOVE some feedback on how it is going there. I understand a new headteacher will be starting later in the year?

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Happydays7 · 06/12/2023 15:16

I don’t understand why you feel the need to vent on here instead of directly with the school. I have recently had to spend A LOT of time in the school as I was organising an event for them. And what I experienced and saw with my own eyes what the total opposite of what you are saying.
The kitchens are spotless ( I know pupils aren’t mad on the food), the staff cooking it are lovely and very strict on health and safety. They catered for 80 parents and staff and we only got positive feedback about the quality of their meal.
As for a zoo … I saw enthusiastic children, really happy going about their day. So for any parents reading the negative comments I will reiterate what I said before is that my son is still really happy, the new head is fab and sure there are things that could be improved but isnt that with every school x

yummymummy1235 · 06/12/2023 11:09

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AmericaninLondon12 · 29/11/2023 10:46

Glad to hear you are having a positive experience - my boy is too.

roses2 · 29/11/2023 10:01

@yummymummy1235 you have used the term "My girls tell me" so I am assuming you have 2x girls there (at least). If the school is such a shambles, why do you pay £40k/year to keep them there instead of pulling them out?

yummymummy1235 · 29/11/2023 09:26

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mNMarlise76 · 29/11/2023 07:42

My kid has since started at MVS and is very happy. The teaching is good. He has not had any need for learning support so can’t comment.

notmorezoom · 29/11/2023 07:01

mNMarlise76 · 16/05/2023 07:25

I am a bit shocked after reading this. I have just accepted a place for my child. The concern about the uniform I understand. But teaching being poor is really not how it should be. Is there anyone who can counterbalance these stories with something positive? The head of English who interviewed my child seemed great.
also extra costs for learning support and for lunches is pretty standard in Independant schools, all the 5 schools I have dealt with for my kids have that.
Hoping for some positive comments as I have had a sleepless night after reading these.

Both my kids get their learning support needs met for nothing extra at their private schools

mNMarlise76 · 29/11/2023 06:58

I reported one post that was a complete Mumbo jumbo of words and used offensive language. MN replied to me saying it was a recurring troll 🤷‍♀️

CurlsnSunshinetime4tea · 28/11/2023 21:29

@Gettincoldouthere the posts were nonsensical, beyond weird a mix of sexual connotations and violence aimed at mn in general not secondary schools.

Gettincoldouthere · 28/11/2023 09:23

Hmmm lots of deleted posts. MN has a habit of censoring school posts - negative posts are important to give parents a fuller picture (as long as not defamatory).

youngpussybacon · 28/11/2023 09:15

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brucewayne2345 · 28/11/2023 09:00

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Gettincoldouthere · 28/11/2023 07:36

@dominantsinglemother89 reference to the holocaust is totally inappropriate. I’m sure you wouldn’t want your child gassed or butchered to death. I digress…

Are you suggesting kids take knives in to the school? Ask the school if they have cctv footage.

Coronateachingagain · 27/11/2023 23:08

You serious or just paraphrasing your name?

dominantsinglemother89 · 27/11/2023 22:56

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theultinatesperm · 27/11/2023 12:09

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theultinatesperm · 27/11/2023 12:03

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theultinatesperm · 27/11/2023 12:02

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theultinatesperm · 27/11/2023 11:57

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AmericaninLondon12 · 26/11/2023 18:22

I have my son at MVS and this does not ring true. The children are generally well behaved and I have certainly never heard it called a zoo. The food leaves something to be desired - but the head is excellent as are the facilities - so we’re happy.

MarchingFrogs · 26/11/2023 10:20

roses2 · 25/11/2023 10:18

Somehow I doubt that is true. Why would you keep your child in such a school at £20k+/year?

Disclaimer: I have zero knowledge of this school and for all I know, it may genuinely be a cross between St Trinians and Alcatraz. But the comment about a pupil reporting 'constant mold' (sic) and hair in the food did remind me of the - fortunately minor - fire nearly 5 decades ago, which caused one of our school's residential buildings to be evacuated in the middle of the night. And the description of the event sent to her parents by one of my friends, ...as we stood shivering in our dressing gowns, watching as our beloved S.Mary's was razed to the ground...

mNMarlise76 · 25/11/2023 18:47

Absolute nonsense. It is a growing school, and will be fabulous in the next few years. Definitely not a prison. Yes the food could be better but not terrible.

roses2 · 25/11/2023 10:18

Somehow I doubt that is true. Why would you keep your child in such a school at £20k+/year?

yummymummy1235 · 24/11/2023 19:22

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RedCarBlueCar123 · 15/09/2023 16:18

Year7mom · 23/07/2023 09:44

My son’s just completed year 7 and going into year 8 in September.
Need a school with smaller class sizes and attentive teachers. Ideally no more than 12/15 children to a class.
He’d get totally swallowed up in regular sized main stream.
I may visit the Portland school as it’s on a direct bus route - with a bus lane most of the journey which would be ideal. Really need to incorporate independent travel for him.
Only problem with the Portland school is the play space is in Regent’s Park that they state they use daily for play time.. - how often will they REALLY get there?.
sacrifices will have to be made for sure, just trying to minimise the loss.
Any suggestions on schools within a reasonable travel distance (45 mins) to Kensal rise NW10, would be gratefully appreciated.

I, too, would love to hear from other local parents with suggestions for other secondary schools. We have decided MVS is not for our daughter, and so are currently exploring other options.