Mount House, Hadley Wood

There is some violence and name calling. Perhaps not ‘extreme’ compared to other schools, more unresolved by the leadership and the small size of the school makes it impossible to avoid bullies

It’s so small that they can’t afford to expel anyone.

Although as I have previously stated, pastoral care at the school is pretty much non-existent, I think what you say about disruption only happens in bottom sets - at leats in my daughter's year. Top sets standards are quite high and kids are aiming for 9s. Also, high-functioning SEN kids in my daughter's year are doing very well and are mostly in top sets. The school also has some very good teachers.

It could all be entirely year group dependent though.

The bullying is extreme and the academic standards are very low. There is a huge amount of classroom disruption. It’s not a place to send an able child with autism.

Sad to hear it hasn’t improved with a new head, although I always thought that place needed more than a new head

The school’s limited pastoral provision, combined with a rigid and institutionalised structure, results in students’ emotional and welfare needs being overlooked, with systems and discipline taking precedence over genuine care and support.
Misuse of authority often appears not as open hostility but as quiet rigidity and in this case is reflected in a defensive leadership , unresolved bullying, poor facilities, declining academic outcomes and a focus on control over student wellbeing, contributing to a large growing number of families choosing to leave the school.

Misuse of authority often appears not as open hostility, but as quiet rigidity where inflexibility, defensiveness and control replaced by listening, leaving parents feeling unheard and systems prioritised over children.
Beware there is bullying in the school it’s been going on for years !!

I don't think it's claustrophobic as it doesn't have many pupils so it's not overcrowded. It's actually never been an issue for my daughter and there are many places to hang out at lunch. I think they have different lunchtime clubs if you don't want to be outside. They use sports fields outside the school for PE and the big lawn just outside the school (by the woods).

The new Head is the former Deputy Head who only took over in the summer holidays when Mrs Richardson left (I think to go abroad so no dramatic reason for leaving). It's hard to say if he will make any drastic changes, as the kids have only been back at school two days under his leadership. My daughter said he tries to be very present and involved in everything. He was a decent Deputy Head, so I think he will be fine and he's very approachable.

Things have settled down for my daughter after a crappy start to last year. She seems to enjoy school again and so far the GCSE teachers in all her subjects have been good - no major complaints to be honest, but of course it's only the start to the year 😜

@XelaM Oh wow, so from what I’m understanding the school is very.. performative with mental health.
also, about the bullying, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard bad things about how they handle it. I’ve heard they often side with bullies and will deny witness written accounts if they believe a “bias” is there. Is there an issue with homophobia? That’s quite common in schools unfortunately 😞 and ironically often isn’t taken seriously, so schools just create an environment where it’s easy to get away with homophobia.
Also may I ask, what year is this homophobia and bullying in as my brother wants to send his son there and we don’t want to send him to a school with intense bullying, especially if it’s going to be in his year. He is what you would call a child susceptible to bullying as he has ADHD, and sometimes is a little too hyper and this could be a targeted attribute. This sounds disgraceful!! Horrible they would give the bully an award!!!! I hope your daughter gets justice, keep pushing the school to do something about it

The funny thing is that the same so called pastoral lead has been discussing mental health with the year and particular changes in a student to watch out for that suggest that they are not doing well. My daughter was laughing because literally 100% of those signs apply to her and the very same teacher takes absolutely zero notice of any of them.

I am honestly so at the end of my tether with the school's completely outrageous lack of pastoral care that I will give a list of examples of how they react to reports of bullying which are quite frankly beyond belief.

Just one recent example (same teacher who gave the bully an award for being nice 🥴 and is one of their pastoral leads) a boy reports a homophobic remark by another student. Teacher's reaction: "but aren't you gay?" 😔 Then gives a lecture on how he is busy concentrating on his own kids and that teenagers in the year should be dealing with their own problems themselves without involving him.

Same teacher always believes the accounts the group of bullies gives and claims there is no evidence to suggest otherwise, even though he is given names of students who corroborate the victim's statement, he just ignores it; says that's why he sends his own kids to a big state school because drama like this doesn't happen in big state schools apparently. He also told one of the main bullies that the reason people complain about her is because they're jealous of her 😣 When I complained to him and given examples of what that group has been doing, his response was: "what do you want me to do about it?" 🤷‍♀️ Then agrees that it's a toxic environment and that he wouldn't send his own kids there. That's good to know 🫤

A girl in the year reported to the Head one of the main bullies and what she has been saying about my daughter to absolutely everyone who would listen. The Head's reaction: "life is too short to worry about what [bully] said." Absolutely nothing ever happens to the bully (not even a talking to).

Bullies get referred to as the "cool kids" by the pastoral lead. Etc etc etc.

As many kids in the North London schools know each other from primary school and through school changes, it is now a well- known fact that it's not a nice place to be at the moment.

Mount House is very very poor in dealing with bullying. One of the girls who has been bullying my daughter has just been given an award for being the nicest girl in the year by the same teacher to whom we have been speaking about her bullying for months 😞 it's just beyond belief.

You can read about the behaviour in their inspection report and you won't find last years exam results published anywhere

Mcvittyr - I think one thing to look at is the added value. I think (but dont know - must check!) that Mount House has better added value than St Columbas. Look carefully also at results - eg how many people do each subject, how many do double and triple science not just the percentage results. St Columbas is bigger school so better for team sports if thats important (though at Senior school it seems to be the A team who get the attention).
cantering along - there's not much outdoor space at Mount House, (what there is is very pretty though!) - on the other hand there is Hadley common opposite. I wonder if they make use of that.

Hi we have been offered a place at the Mount House and we have always loved it and my child does too, but has also been offered a place in St Columba's St. Albans which too is a good school and was selective to get into (55 spaces). The only thing its 35/45 mins bus journey away (private coach) which puts me off. The only thing I am worried about MH is the academics. My child is bright but shy (no education needs though) and not the best at sport (except is good at golf and swimming) but is really keen to be part of a team and MH is perfect for that and I know my child would be happy there... plus I have great confidence in the new head. I just worry about the academics and not achieving good GCSE grades when the time comes. Can someone offer advice from experience there?