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Original poster

Headmaster Kings Worcester

107 replies

Badgerooney · 29/08/2024 09:15

Just reported in the local paper that the Headmaster has left suddenly before the start of term? Statement from the school didn’t offer any thanks etc does anyone know what’s happened? They have appointed an interim head while recruitment for a permanent replacement is underway.

OP posts:
DestinyDover · 25/09/2024 09:35

Given that he calls himself a Christian he showed little Christian values towards his colleagues when he was headmaster here! Sorry to see history repeat itself yet again at Worcester.

vshaw67 · 22/09/2024 17:42

Badgerooney · 29/08/2024 13:54

Yes I agree, we have looked at a few schools and favour RGS at the moment but the VAT statement from Kings is making me wonder whether we should take a closer look. Just a bit unsettling with the head leaving so suddenly. Maybe we should stick with RGS.

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I looked at both while moving my child from a state school mid year . I felt Kings more pushy academically with emphasis on getting them into a Russell Group Uni or at least thats what was said to me on my tour . I think it depends on you child - . I know parents with children at both. I chose RGS as it just felt right for my child .

5475878237NC · 08/09/2024 11:19

If what is on Reddit is true and the governors ignored parents' concerns then it should be a yellow flag at least for their judgement!

Porridgetime · 08/09/2024 11:09

I have no idea really - just what I read on Reddit which is clearly not reliable! But it’s nothing to do with the pupils.

Sugarkanek · 08/09/2024 10:35

I have a child at the school. What did he do - is this a safeguarding issue?

Porridgetime · 08/09/2024 10:11

TwinklyMoose · 31/08/2024 11:02

Totally agree with the previous poster who said the rivalry between the two schools is mainly between the parents! The kids in both schools all socialise together and often switch between schools for 6th form with no problem.
The School will tick over just fine without the Doodes show and so far any children I have spoken to who attend the school are non plussed he has gone.
One thing I found quite strange is how the wife of the headmaster has an open social media profile where she calls herself ‘the head’s wife’. Does she not have her own persona? Was her entire identity that of her husband? Considering she is a ‘educational marketing specialist’ you would have thought she would have realised the archaic implications of such a name for her open profile!

Yes, and her whole identity being about her husband’s job must be in crisis now that he is no longer a Head, and if Reddit is to be believed, possibly no longer her husband due to his actions? I feel sorry for her. I doubt any of this would affect the pupils at the school though, apart from provide gossip for the parents to talk about.

5475878237NC · 05/09/2024 18:57

Ok so the very detailed suggestion on Reddit are not illegal but would most certainly be enough to make him leave if true. Matt Hancock was not erased from public record when he left under scandal so not sure why any meaning is being made of the school announcement including his name. It's just factual isn't it?

I do have some skin in the game as live within an hour's drive and was considering it.

5475878237NC · 05/09/2024 18:49

A bit concerned to see a suggestion that he installed a friend as head of the prep school and what that might mean.

Most alarming are the suggestions parents were told by the board to go away...not just an issue with the head then is it?

Emmanuelll · 05/09/2024 18:32

One of the comments on the newspaper report (which got deleted) said that after GD's departure from another school in the past, there was actually a Facebook group called 'The doodesgate scandal' which has since been deleted.

maltesers99 · 05/09/2024 17:25

Oh wow I've just had a look! I'm not that surprised by some of the comments...
So shocked there is a Reddit thread!

SuzeFTC · 05/09/2024 13:33

Have a look on Reddit ….

Wimbledonmum1985 · 05/09/2024 06:56

Well I’m baffled and would like to know more

Original poster
Badgerooney · 04/09/2024 13:21

Emmanuelll · 04/09/2024 12:36

I’ve pmed you.

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I tend to agree, as a parent considering the school for my child it’s very unnerving not knowing what has gone on here and whether it could happen again.

OP posts:
ForPearlViper · 04/09/2024 12:46

I'll admit I'm not an expert on the law of libel but I think posters need to be very careful here. The person concerned is clearly identifiable and some of the comments might be considered defamation.

Emmanuelll · 04/09/2024 12:36

DrWoo · 04/09/2024 11:59

Honestly I can’t quite understand why it needs to be so cloak-and-dagger. What’s he done?

I’ve pmed you.

DrWoo · 04/09/2024 11:59

Honestly I can’t quite understand why it needs to be so cloak-and-dagger. What’s he done?

Bobsfriend · 04/09/2024 10:55

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Putaveston · 03/09/2024 00:34

Wimbledonmum1985 · 31/08/2024 17:38

Can’t agree with that at all. DH has very close connections with the school and has heard nothing negative.

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In that case I would suggest that perhaps your DH chooses not to hear the negativity. A bit like the board of governors.

Emmanuelll · 02/09/2024 21:55

Yes, my experience of him was that he was quite charming but a repeated pattern of behaviour is something you can't ignore.

BoardingInsider · 02/09/2024 21:39

You don’t need to know the specifics to understand this, only a little of his history; this is just the latest in a long-career of short-lived headships. Just ask parents at George Heriot’s in Edinburgh (where he lasted less than a term), or Milton Abbey, where he was so despised pupils would routinely leave roadkill on his study desk.

He will no doubt move into the world of educational consulting, which is a common move for those who disappear like this. Or maybe get a headship in Dubai or China…

Emmanuelll · 02/09/2024 21:14

Have his two children stayed at the junior schools?

CJFJ1 · 01/09/2024 19:44

DrWoo · 01/09/2024 16:13

Please can someone explain what the specific accusations are about Mr Doodes, apart from the stuff about his appointing a friend to be headmaster of Hawford? I have two children at the school and am worried it was something really serious.

If it was something "really serious", I doubt the school would be even mentioning him on its website announcement about the acting head - which it does. Fair enough, the announcement doesn't thank him for his service, but if a school wanted to hide something / someone that had - let's say, hypothetically - brought the school into disrepute, it usually wouldn't mention them at all but erase their existence from PR / communication altogether such as the school website. They haven't done that here.

maltesers99 · 01/09/2024 19:19

DrWoo · 01/09/2024 16:13

Please can someone explain what the specific accusations are about Mr Doodes, apart from the stuff about his appointing a friend to be headmaster of Hawford? I have two children at the school and am worried it was something really serious.

I've asked upthread...it's all very generic. So his social media is a bit cringe...of course it is! Social media IS cringe always! But unsure why he is seen to be such a terrible head. One specific reason please anyone?!

Angrymum22 · 01/09/2024 16:52

Putaveston · 31/08/2024 18:00

The worst instagram post by far for me was “My queen meets my pupils” when Camilla came to the cathedral earlier this year. Just an awful self-publicist.

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Oh god yes. That was crawl under a stone cringe worthy.

DrWoo · 01/09/2024 16:13

Please can someone explain what the specific accusations are about Mr Doodes, apart from the stuff about his appointing a friend to be headmaster of Hawford? I have two children at the school and am worried it was something really serious.