Gower school islington

[BeenieBaby]

Anyone have any experience of this school? We're keen on a Montessori education, but this school seems to have a bad rep, we weren't sure why... Anyone know firsthand what it's like?

Toupin and Dandylion8 -

very relieved that you haven't experienced any trauma at TGS.

I have written on an earlier post that it seems there are varying and extreme differences of experience at the school.

daughters in my experience and knowledge have an easier time at TGS but also I imagine it just depends on the child... or the parent(s).

my child also twittered happily about the school day - dc had great and dear friends in dc's peer group and is a confident child. Dc also came home wailing and howling in pain, humiliation and grief at what dc suffered there - but much more importantly would not be addressed in a humane and appropriate manner - instead a farce, a shambles, a disgrace (much worse in this tale that I cannot write here.)

This is no joke.

Our experience and treatment - a young child included here - at the hands of the school was not 'fair' and for all of you are having a good time at the school, that is an great understatement I assure you. An abomination more like.

We were once happy at TGS.

I am fascinated and bewildered that those happy at TGS accuse those of us with grave concern and dire experience, as behaving or speaking in an "unfair way". Whilst I understand that the school's reputation is now in question (here on mumsnet and elsewhere) - and that naturally we all want our children to be at a school in which we are proud - sincerely, does it not concern you, worry you, interest you even that 'stuff' happens to which you are not privy within the four wall of TGS which is just horrible, unsavoury and if you knew about it would make your ears curl?

Really?
In the very least, you must have heard rumours?

Rumour abounds at TGS.

Or do you think those of us who post (who have found that we are not the only ones, here on mumsnet) as troublesome, vindictive people with a huge axe to grind?
Think on it.
Have we set out to destroy something; or to save something far more valuable? Here on mumsnet, we have been able to share our most vile experiences and it has been vital for us; it is not to diminish a school or a person; morelike, to combat the diminishings of children, teachers and parents, to share a truth, to expose injustice, to stand up for what we think is right for our children, our teachers, ourselves, our schools, our democracy, our humanity - AND your children too.

Does this sound unfair to you?

The victims become the pariahs...when the victims are gone, untruths can be spoken, as the victims are no longer there to address the situation.

For those teachers and parents who have deep and heart-sore grievance re TGS and E.Gowers and/or have remained voiceless or in fear, you can now have a voice. If you are a parent or teacher within the school and you have concerns, unhappiness, fears or knowledge of any form mal-practice, write anonymously - if not feel free to choose your anonymity or no - please call Kidscape and you will be furnished with an email address; here you can write/express and explain your experiences etc. Mention too that you are calling about TGS. You will be helped and given a place to log your experience, in safety.

also have a look at this if you have a moment:
www.theguardian.com/education/mortarboard/2014/may/21/bullying-school-staff-failing-pupils

As I, and many others have said on this thread, this is no joke.

mumsnet was really important for us in some of our dark moments - and there were some- because we realised we were not alone.

also want to thank SDT85 for mentioning Kidscape.

had we not been so stressed and strung out at TGS, had we known then we could call Kidscape during one extremely difficult and terrible term, then we would have felt supported and much less isolated at the time.

ironically we did access Kidscape for help re. bullying but we didn't think to call.

sometimes one doesn't think of the most obvious thing to do, like calling for help and advice, when one is in the midst of it. it feels like you are in a maelstrom.

so I think it's great that SDT85 has reminded us all that help is at hand in those dark times.

To learn more about Kidscape, logon to: www.kidscape.org.uk. Their email and telephone helpline can be accessed through this link:

www.kidscape.org.uk/about-kidscape/helpline/

They are an excellent resource, and their 1-day assertiveness training class is most empowering.

The disappearance of another member of staff and it turns out they are not coming back. Again, with no warning or communication to parents. What has happened to result in the disappearance of another member of staff?
(one of the only members of staff who has been in the school for years)

I would be very interested in knowing how many teachers and children have left in this manner since the school began; and how many bore out a term and then left.

@WG67: Thanks for sharing. I would like to know who this member is.

Sad that there are employers that can still behave without any legal (or moral) boundary.

At "real schools" staff members don't disappear mid-term. At "real schools" a letter goes out to parents informing them of the teacher's departure and the reasons for leaving (e.g., relocating, retiring). Often the school arranges a little going away party, the children sign a good luck card, etc. How often does TGS follow this standard protocol? BTW, giving valued employees a decent send-off is not exclusive to nursery schools, you find it in the corporate sector as well.

When we were at TGS, an experienced teacher vanished abruptly mid-year. I ran into her sometime later on Upper Street. She greeted me with a smile and then burst into tears when I asked her what had happened.

oops, I meant to underline real schools, vs. enclosing in quotes.

Fortunately when we vanished from TGS, we were welcomed at a prominent London school. DC in the top set and is happy, well-adjusted, liked and successful. With hand on my heart, I know that if we had remained at TGS, I would have an entirely different child.

There is a more to our experience that I have not revealed on this thread. Most worrying was something that involved DC's health and safety. However, I feel uncomfortable sharing this publicly in a thread.

Several concerned mothers have contacted me directly through Mumsnet to learn more about our experience. For those who have any concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to email me.

And for those parents who are pleased with TGS, I am truly happy for you. I wish you and your children the very best.

As I understand it by the end of this year 123teacher321 will be the only member of staff who will have been there for 'a few years now.'

Whilst one is glad for the great support this teacher feels from management, this lone teacher's post cannot undo the fact of the slew of comments from ex teachers at the top of this thread. It is again merely reflective of the lack of parity at TGS experienced by parents, children and teachers.

No doubt this is reflected in 123teacher321's pay grade.

Is it coincidence that one of the longest serving members of staff (an assistant) has vanished just prior to an imminent ISI inspection?

I would suggest all parents at TGS to fill the survey that has bee sent in advance of the ISI inspection and answer frankly to the questions. Hopefully something can be done...

I hope ISI will also review any and all complaints filed with Ofsted regarding TGS. I would imagine there is a paper trail given the serious concerns raised by many parents and former teachers.

I've not responded to these posts until now, but I have decided that the time is now right for me to post on here to try to resolve these matters.

We strongly suspect that the majority of the negative postings on this thread are from the same few people, who have some sort of issue with the school but sadly feel unable to raise this in person. The information in the postings on this site is misleading, and has been hurtful both to myself, my staff team and the school community to read.

The Gower School provides a warm, child centred environment, with high standards and good results, creating happy, confident children who do well in their applications to independent senior and top grammar schools. This is backed up by our regular independent inspection and accreditation visits from the Montessori Evaluation and Accreditation Board, the Independent Schools Inspectorate and Islington Council Primary Early Years team amongst others. Our parents are very happy with the education that they receive and the care and attention given to them by our dedicated staff.

As the Principal, I encourage an environment of responsiveness and openness at The Gower School, and would encourage anyone with any questions regarding the issues raised here to come and meet me in person. I always have an open door policy and would be very happy to discuss your concerns – and to show you around our lovely school.

Emma Gowers, Principal, The Gower School.

Dear Mrs Gowers

I have been following this thread with fascination as it is somewhat of a car crash. The posters have alleged that you have no PTA and no board of governors, surely two signs of poor practice. Can you confirm that you do in fact have a PTA and a board of governors (and that these posters are therefore unreliable) or explain why you don't have these things?

We left the Gower School, because of the lack of space and the practise of splitting classes each year and re arranging them. This in conjunction with the very frequent staff changes meant that there were virtually no continuity from year to year.
I do think EG runs a totalitarian military academy style school.
Many of the schools principals such as constant competitiveness with points and prices, a very strict uniform policy from age 3 etc, are completely out of line with the original ideas of Maria Montessori.
I think the school has sat itself between two chairs and that is why some of the montessori teachers are not happy and leave.
The pressures on parents and children are high and when we were there the whole family felt under constant stress.
The facilities are cramped with no real play ground, though very nicely refurbished. Baring in mind that Highgate school is almost the same price and has vast outside facilities I do not understand why the Gower is so popular. I think the only reason is lack of alternatives in the area. We should encourage more private schools in Islington and then see how things would turn out

I suppose responses to the ISI questionnaire will confirm that this thread is only the crazy rantings of a few disgruntled ex-parents out to tarnish the fine name of TGS.

Dear Ms Gowers

I'm sure you realise your response will lead to many replies.
Your response to this thread was very displeasing.
It was very similar to your sales pitch and a very copy and paste answer.
You also haven't answered anyone's questions and concerns?
You say you have an open door policy, if this is true then parents wouldn't be on here discussing their issues with your school.

There are positives and negatives to every business. As your business deals with children, it is important to keep the negatives to a minimum. Unfortunately your negatives outweigh the positives.

Rather than defending yourself and covering up mistakes, you should have held your hands up and apologised. In this thread there have been many parents and staff who have been discredited by your lies. Yes I am one of them, and yes I have experienced it first hand.
Accept the advice given by your staff and parents, and value it. You are a text book queen, but you lack first hand experience.

I am an ex member of staff and the things I saw in the Gower were horrible. Singling out of children, parents and staff. Not to mention child protection issues which I will not mention. You managed to hide things very well. I could write an essay on the Gower!

You personally asked mumsnet to take down the comments made by staff, why is this?

Your current staff are not hurt by these comments, they are amused as they are directing people to this site, once again why is this?

You say the Gower school have independent bodies to come an inspect. The bodies you have mentioned are only ones that you personally know people. I have also experienced the way you discourage other bodies from coming in. I have heard complaints from health visitors who ask why you make it so difficult for them to come and do childrens 2 year checks.

Why are people so unhappy, it is not a few disgruntled parents, there are many unhappy 'customers'. It's time to face up to it!

Miss Gowers, girlfriendinacoma1, JamieStarr...

1. You state, "I've not responded to these posts until now..." Well, I can attest that I personally have not created multiple aliases, and that I have written under the same name throughout this entire thread. Can you say the same?

2. You state, "we strongly suspect that the majority of the negative postings on this thread are from the same few people." I have to wonder, with close to 250 comments, how many people do you think are really behind the majority of these comments.? Please quantify that for us. Are you talking three people, four, five? How many?

3. You state, "...same few people... sadly feel unable to raise this in person." Given how outspoken and articulate people have been on this thread, does your statement seem plausible? I can attest that I met with you several times. Without going into details, I found those exchanges to be most unsatisfactory and unpleasant. I came very prepared for those meetings, but you quickly dismissed my concerns.

4. You state, "The information in the postings on this site is misleading." Please be specific, what EXACTLY do you find misleading? Are the key indicators wrong (e.g., high SEND rates, employee turnover rates)? I asked that TGS share its historical teacher turnover statistics so that we could benchmark it with the London average, but TGS has remained silent.

5. You state, "The Gower School provides a warm, child centred environment..." I have no doubt that this statement is accurate for some children. However, if your child is disliked or is perceived as being a problem, they have a very different experience at TGS. Indeed their experience is the polar opposite of the TGS idealized version. Does TGS not see the unhappy faces of these "disliked/problem" children and their parents? A multitude of parents have clamored for a PTA, board of governors. Why is TGS so resistant to this?! It strikes everyone, especially outsiders as very odd indeed.

6. You state, "The Gower School provides...high standards...." Has TGS found a qualified year 5 & 6 teacher with a proven track record in 11+ exam preparation? Why is TGS so adverse to spending the money to hire qualified, experienced teachers for September 2014? I suppose TGS expects parents to hire tutors to compensate for what is lacking.

7. You state, "Our parents are very happy with the education..." I have to question that sweeping generalization. Even this past week you met with a group of concerned parents. Did those parents seem happy with the education? I understand that there are even more parent meetings to come.

And finally, you state: "I have decided that the time is now right for me to post on here to try and resolve these matters." Yes, please, enlighten us and resolve these matters.

Dear Ms Gowers

thanks for joining us. It is a pleasure to be dismissed as just a bunch (a few actually) of lunatics who create aliases in order to damage TGS reputation.

Well, we are not just a few writing under different pseudonyms to post always the same concerns. we are A LOT!

i am sorry to disappoint you.

as for the statement of "being misleading" please tell us how exactly the posts have been misleading.

You see the difference between us and you is that we can actually substantiate our claims. YOU CANNOT PROVE US WRONG. Can you?

I am an ex staff member and I personally witnessed bullying and humiliation towards staff and embarrassing favouritism towards children. Emma Gowers would openly discuss staff members negatively for all to hear. I once heard hear snorting at the staff uniform orders "as if she should get into a size 14". Charming. Many children left during the time i spent there. Children with challenging behaviour were asked to leave rather than being accommodated and parents with a grievance were also given the heave. When first going for interview I was pre warned by my agency that the Gower School had a reputation for having a very high staff turnover. Well, I have never worked in a more unhappy environment. I did not come across a single member of staff who was happy. Most would openly discuss their concerns and Emma Gowers latest nasties. There was not a single member of staff loyal to EG. Since leaving, I have have known 3 people to also start and leave and many of my colleagues at the time have also escaped. It is very sad to see such unhappiness in a staff team who were so passionate and dedicated about what they do. This is a work environment which is over shadowed by fear and paranoia. In my first week I was warned to 'watch my back'. Says it all.