What's happening at Hurst Lodge School?

[Mitch68]

Anyone have any news on the school what with the Headmistress leaving, as we are thinking of sending our dd there?

[Grandmanat16]

Goodness that's the same nonsense we heard from Abbotsfield in Hillingdon. That is a worry. I thought that with smaller classes there would be good control of pupils. We don't want to be in the same position we are in now having had to withdraw him from his present school. I would very much like to speak to other parents any way you know I could do that. Please PM me, thank you

[haisydaisy]

year 7, pulled out early last year. behaviour was mainly bullying - name calling, taunting, scaring children by trapping them in rooms, turning off lights etc. things happening during lessons not dealt with by teacher, very little classroom control, one teacher teaching 2 classes at the same time in neighbouring classrooms, during which time the children left unsupervised and chaos ensued...... several other children left around the same time in the senior school - there seemed to be a very high pupil turnover. Head Teacher seemed to think it was all ok and that's just the way year 7's are and it's normal for them to push the boundaries in this way...... No one else I knew was experiencing this with their yr 7 child's school.....

[Grandmanat16]

@haisydaisy would you be able to tell me when your child was at the school and what year the child was in? And what the discipline problem are thank you Are you allowed email contact in this site?

[haisydaisy]

my child was badly bullied at this school and staff refused to acknowledge it. loads of behavioural issues with the pupils. lots of diagnosed and undiagnosed SEN children and staff without the relevant experience to handle the resulting behaviour or put strategies into place to deal with it. they say all the right words when you visit - we thought it would be wonderful and caring etc..... but the reality was far from it. we ended up having to move our child. approach with caution

[Grandmanat16]

Any information on discipline at Hurst Lodge / bullying and teaching staff would be appreciated my 11 year old gs has been badly bullied at a school in Hillingdon and we are looking at Hurst Lodge any I formation would be appreciated

[Tamstours]

Hi Everyone,
We are thinking of Sending our 16 year old to Hurst Lodge, Ascot for Sixth Form. Do any of you have any opinions or insights into the school at this level please?

[Oscarsmummy68]

Hi, I am an ex hurstlodgeon. Mrs smitt, was our headmistress and she was such a lovely lady. I went to h l from 1977 to 1986.
I became a boarder as well.
It was abit dated with outside chalet huts with no proper heating, full of character tho.
They could do with making it a bit more like the Eden Project. That would make it the best school in the world to attend.

[mummytime]

If you are in that area - I would investigate talking to Dyslexia action in Egham as well.

[Supreme1]

Doyourhomework, I suggest you look up wwww.crested.org.uk, this is the Council for the Registration of Schools teaching Dyslexic Pupils. They have a list off all accredited schools (Hurst Lodge is not included on this list). I have friends whose daughters attend Manor House in Surrey and sing its praises. Not sure what other private schools charge but at Hurst Lodge you will be charged apprx £480 a term for x1 45min dyslexia lesson a week.

[doyourhomework]

Can anyone shine some light on Hurst Lodge in Ascot for me please? Thinking of looking for my 9 year old who has dyslexia. Does anyone have news on the general running of the school and if you are happy or not? Would help me immensely thanks!

[Awodede]

I've had my daughters in the school for quite a few years now and they simply love going in to school. There is a lot of nurturing there and I have found the school most accommodating. Staff are pleasant and the principal seems to have a good rapport with all the children. Placing them at Hurst Lodge is the best thing we ever did. Each to her own just move on if you are dissatisfied. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. I won't attempt to deny that there have been problems in the school, but show me a school which is perfect.

[pickledumpling]

There were rumours about why she left but the school refused to give an explanation. Problems at the school are hushed up and hidden. How can you trust a school that is not transparent.

[thatstripedthing]

i think if you are a parent at the school, the reason that the head left the way she did is reasonalby common knowledge. about to be another parent kicking up a stinking fuss. DO NOT GO TO THIS SCHOOL

[pickledumpling]

Iwonder122, i totally agree with you re. the lack of regulation in private schools. I have experience of both State and private sectors and have to say that some of the problems my DD has encountered at so called "small-nurturing non-selective private schools" would never have been tolerated in a state school.

[pickledumpling]

This school has completely disappointed us. In the last year or so there has been a significant increase in pupil numbers, yet no provision has been made to accommodate them. Cramped classrooms, poor lunches, teachers that are unable to cope with the unruly behaviour. Certainly not worth £4k a term.

[foofooyeah]

My son joined this school in Sep this year in year 5 and has loved it. He is much happier here than us previous school. Learning well, settled in quickly. The school could be described as a little eccentric, but we are very happy with it.

[muffintopsy]

Not the same school we joined a few years ago. They have taken in far too many extra pupils. The Senior schl English Department is in crisis. They don't listen to the parents concerns, it's shocking.

[nickname0108]

I would be enormously grateful for a genuine update. Joining them in Sept and only just discovered your posts re: departing Head (& departing Bursar too, her husband?)