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?

I am bothered by the extent at which the school uses photos of the children for marketing purposes.

Although it is nice to capture these cute moments, I feel that it should be kept within the school community, not blitzed on Facebook, etc where anyone can view it.

We are parents who were rooting for the gower school to provide a nurturing, enquiry based learning environment, for our child. Having followed this thread we came to the conclusion that it was too toxic a school to go anywhere near.

But then we have read in detail the recent assessment by the independent schools inspectorate. It seems very compelling. An excellent school, with the report explicitly saying that only a very small minority of parents have concerns about governance, and implicitly, ms gower. It doesn't endorse those concerns.

We are wondering what parents with children at the school think of this assessment? Do the doubters / concerned parents endorse what reads like a fair and objective assessment of the school? It feels like it answers all the concerns in an evidence based, fair and objective way.

We'd really value your thoughts, as we are flummoxed.

Longstock5,
I am a parent with DC at TGS. I am a bit confused from your post as to what stage your child may be at. It sounds like you decided not to apply for a place but are possibly considering a late application?
I am more than happy to provide feedback on a PM basis if you would like to message me.

Sorry my post wasn't very clear!

Our son is 2.5 so we're looking for primary schools. Much about the Gower appealed, but then we found this car-crash of a thread and basically ruled it out. Not just for the content of the complaints, but also for the school's lack of a response along the lines of: "clearly feelings are running high; let's all get together and talk about this openly."

But the ISI report is absolutely clear: in their view this is terrific school. So now we're reconsidering our blanket ban on all things gower.

I'll gladly PM you, thanks for the offer

Our son is at TGS. We are very happy with the school and - more importantly - so is he. He feels very secure in the school environment and the tailored approach to teaching has worked very well for him. We were really pleased to read the ISI report, which reflects our own experience of the school.

I'm not a fan of internet chat sites and this thread is a perfect example of why. This seems to be a site where people air all sorts of grievances rather than a useful debate; unfortunately the unhappy people are the most vociferous which may explain why there are so unhappy. I think its time for some of the moaners to move on.

I am a parent with a child at the school. I did my research into this and other schools in the area by visiting the school; speaking to parents (in person) about the schools their children attended; checked all the official reports, and spoke to the teachers and head mistress. Using this information I chose to send my child to the Gower. I remain pleased with the decision. My child enjoys the school and making good progress. All of the teachers I speak to regularly are committed and seem very happy. It really has the feel if a cheerful school aiming to develop well-balanced children. In particular, my child has an excellent key teacher who is fun but very firm pushing hard on the basic skills and the school has very good science and sports teachers.

I've had several meetings with Miss Gowers and have to say, I like her and share her views. In my opinion she cares about the children and wants to provide them with a sound education. It's no mean feat setting up and running a school and quite frankly if I were in her position, I would be pleased the 'moaners' were no longer connected with the school but I would be horrified that they are trying to undermine all the hard work by the current staff of the school.

The views of the current parents and teachers, I think, have more value than those of the past. I wonder what the agenda of the others could be but hope for their sakes that they can move on and find a new area that gives them some fulfilment. On the subject of the Gower School, could they please pipe down now and let the school and it's pupils grow without being impeded by their unending negativity.

Hi all, I'm a parent who was about to put my baby in the Gower School nursery, but now that I've run into this thread, I'm a little hesitant, and I'm already paranoid and panicked as it is about leaving my baby with strangers.

Please can any parent who has or had their child in the nursery let me know how your experience was? I'm assuming all of this controversy is about the primary school and not about the nursery? I'm not planning to let my daughter stay in TGS past nursery, but I'm especially concerned to see some posters hint at issues surrounding the children's safety.

I did enquire about staff turnover on my tour of the nursery but was shown examples of staff who had been there for more than a decade. It's really important to me that nursery staff enjoy their jobs and truly care about the children in their care, any sort of feedback about the staff would be appreciated.

Please can anyone put my mind at ease about TGS nursery? Please do PM me if you like. (First time using mums net though, I hope I'm able to receive messages). I'm sorry if I'm hijacking this thread, I don't post on forums very often and am not 100% sure of the etiquette.

After reading this thread in detail and the most recent ISI, I must say that I am not convinced about the legitimacy of that report. It all seems rather odd. As an ex-inspector myself, I know that a report should detail far more ways to improve than this one does.

A few people earlier on in the thread mentioned that there may be some members of management who are in regular liaison with the inspectors.

The phrase "it's not what you know, but who you know" springs to mind.

I wholeheartedly agree. I have two children, one who has been at the nursery and is now at the primary school and one who is still in the nursery. Both schools are excellent and we have been very pleased with the care and attention and teaching. We have never had an issue with the school and hear the same thing from the other parents we talk to. The inspection report is a fair reflection. You will not be disappointed!

I have read this thread with interest as I viewed the Gower School twice, in 2010 and again in 2012, when thinking about where to send my child.

I have no particular axe to grind, as I have now moved out of London and my child will be attending school elsewhere. I have not name changed, so my MN identity can be verified from my other threads if needed.

Positive impressions of the school were:

A very positive working atmosphere in the Reception classes, with children working independently using the Montessori materials. Delightful manners from the children.

Although limited, the outdoor spaces had been carefully considered and were positive spaces for children.

Less positive impressions of the school were:

As an ex-teacher (early years and primary SLT) I had some concerns about the range of differentiation within the mixed-age classes eg. the Year 1/2 class. For example, I saw some work displayed in Year 1/2 which showed fewer opportunities for extension than I had offered when teaching the same topic within a Year 1 class in a state primary school.

The limited pupil numbers and restrictive classroom environment within Years 3 and above

During an open day I asked a question about my child being socially shy/lacking confidence with others - how would they be provided for? As a teacher I had a fairly good idea of the answer I was hoping to receive. However, while Emma Gowers said that they would probably develop, she also suggested that there might be an additional need which they would need to look into... I felt that this response was quite quick to 'pigeonhole' a child, just from a verbal report.

I did not apply to the school, we moved out of London and my contact with the Gower School came to an end.

The lack of a PTA comes as no surprise. Before we left London I had heard on the parents' grapevine that the school had a 'take it or leave it' approach to dealing with parents' concerns.

However, having read this thread, Emma Gowers might wish to be aware that the independent school we have chosen has the following systems for parents to contribute their views:

A system of class reps
A PTA
A governing body
Parents forums for special projects
Oh, and the HT asked parents to fill in a survey to contribute to the HT's own performance management review...

This is not unusual, this should be normal and I believe it is what parents increasingly expect to be in place. Emma Gowers should have the confidence in what her school is offering to freely accept, nay welcome, this feedback and scrutiny.

These mechanisms exist in this school and many other schools for a reason:because it is widely recognised within pieces of legislation and guidance that it is useful and beneficial for all concerned for parents to have a role in decision making within schools and early years settings. Children also have a right to be involved in decisions about their education, health and care under the UN convention on the rights of the child. If parents' views are not taken into account at the Gower School, then how can parents' be confident that their children's voices will be heard?

Gower School Parents, you have the right to freely associate, meet and form together in any way you wish. You can set up a group, a committe, a charity - any form of governance you desire. I strongly urge you to do so.

Daisy Cakes: '...no qualified teacher would work for that salary that's why EG doesn't employ anyone with QTS.' Clearly you don't have any knowledge of what makes a qualified teacher and what doesn't. Emma Gowers has employed qualified teachers from overseas. By no means has she ever paid between the salary you have stated if they don't have QTS. It matches what they have previously been on (possibly a little lower), however, that is where it's the prospective staff member's job to negotiate. Otherwise, don't work there! When first commencing at the school, the salary wasn't the best, however, you are on a somewhat 'probation'....standard. It is a staff member's own choice to go for QTS as many schools in London PREFER it and therefore, allows them to work in other settings/schools. You have completely generalised staff earnings. Montessori Teachers are not regarded as qualified teachers. They are Montessori teachers so their knowledge and skills are limited beyond Montessori. Hence, why they cannot work in schools outside that field. Go and study at Met. University and get both qualifications! I know for a fact Emma Gowers is open to discussion about salaries, however, YOU may need to initiate it, rather than sitting down complaining and whinging. Take the proposal forward. It's not a matter of 'yes...here you go'. You actually need to prove yourself and take action in areas so that it is recognised. I don't know 1 teacher who has not gotten a pay rise since working there. Montessori Teachers may earn between 14000-17000 but they are not your typically qualified teacher. Qualified teachers (don't need QTS), as long as you show your Bachelor's degree (!), earn upwards of that. Yes, the school is Montessori...hence why EG can pay 14000-17000 for a Montessori Teacher. When you say that you are asked to go on training courses on a Saturday. Laughable. I went because I wanted to and very regularly. It is not an expectation, they are purely recommendations to enhance your teaching practice and knowledge of the Montessori field. I question how many times you actually attended these events (paid for by Emma Gowers might I add). Did you show they you had an actual interest in education at any point?

Ooooo it looks like I hit a nerve lol. You clearly aren't a staff member as not one is happy about their pay. I'm still shocked that no one reads the thread properly. The comments I made regarding pay was aimed at truthseeker as they seemed to be misinformed. By the way when I mentioned the average salary was £14-17,000 I was being very generous. Some are paid in the region of £11,000. Which I'm sure you can understand is slave labour.
London schools do not PREFER QTS it is a compulsory requirement. So maybe you should go and do your research. I already gave you the statistics on staff having QTS at TGS so I'm not going to waste my time going through that again. Montessori teachers are limited to what they know, does that not make you question what they don't know???
Did you say EG Is open to discussion about salaries. I've never laughed so hard. If she was open to discussion why is everyone living on peanuts. Most get a 1% pay rise each year, yes that is correct.
Like I said last time the training courses on Saturday were not compulsory but it is unfair to expect staff to attend on a Saturday!
Also please don't offend me and pretend you're a member of staff. By your post I can tell you're not. Let's be honest we all wish we were paid more so no one would come on here saying they are happy with their pay.
I just find it awful that the average wage is between £11-£17,000. Yes it varies that much, that's also why no one is allowed to discuss how much they earn.
Also next time you direct a post at me don't be so rude. I haven't been rude to anyone on here so I expect the same respect from others.
I think the discussion about pay should end as that wasn't one of my main concerns but only an example. The main concern is the lack of staff with QTS. So please stop focusing on pay. I understand you're trying to make me look like a moaning ex member of staff who's only concern is pay, unfortunately my concerns go a lot deeper than than that. Maybe we should focus on the staff who lack QTS?

Sorry after reading your post again I believe you may be a member of staff. I clearly got a nerve. You must be a teacher without QTS. It's ok. Just go to London met.

Prospective parents - According to data drawn from the TGS 2013 and 2014 ISI Reports:

There was a 25% jump in TGS students labelled special needs, 16 students in 2013 vs. 20 students in 2014. Note: overall student admissions increased 5% during that time period.

In 2014, 12.5% of full-time TGS students were labelled special needs vs. the European range of 1.5% - 3%.

In light of these facts, prospective parents should absolutely be made aware of the school's excessively high rate of SEND. It is astonishing that ISI didn't examine this more closely, especially when benchmarked against any local school.

As stated earlier, the long-term impact of misdiagnosis can be devastating. According to Sophie Blakeway, ARK Director of Education, "many schools have reached too readily for the SEN label...perpetuating a culture of low expectations which has too often trapped children in the tail of low attainment." According experts, "as many as half of the children identified as having a category of special educational needs (SEN) are wrongly diagnosed and simply need better teaching or pastoral care instead."

As a parent of a child at the Gower school I can say that he is exceptionally happy. He looks forward to going in everyday and absolutely adores his teacher. Is he ever hungry? Yes, all the time as he is a growing boy that is very active. He constantly eats and if he is hungry at school he will ask for something to eat. I would strongly urge any parents considering this school to go and visit. See and make your own mind up. Like in life we all like, expect and want different things so this would not be for everyone but if you are looking for a caring , nurturing school then this is a great one to consider.

Dear Prospective Parents,

The 12.5% of TGS children with special needs actually understates the percent of children whom Gower has attempted to wrongly label special needs.

Often, families leave Gower before a label is attached. It is important to be aware that no other local school labels children 'special needs' as aggressively as Gower. Just look at any local inspection report to validate this. Yes, some children may require additional support, but the local schools don't saddle the young child with a label.

Gower's practice of labeling children is heart-breaking, highly destructive and exploitive.

Dear Parents,

It is not uncommon for TGS to raise red flags about many of the children.

Please be on alert if the following happens to you:

1) You are called in to specifically discuss how your child is settling in.

Those early meetings will seem benign, even positive. Your guard will be down, especially if the school mentions that your child and several other children are being observed too. Behind the scenes, TGS has started documenting and compiling their "concerns." Often, this paper trail does not look at things in a situational or holistic context.

Now that your child has been flagged, your DC will need to make an extra effort to get off the TGS radar. Boys are often a focus as well as ANY child who shows the slightest deviation from TGS's milestones.

2) There's a new person who suddenly appears at a meeting.

That person is a representative from the Islington Early Years Inclusion Team (EYIT). The Team appears well-meaning, and perhaps intend to be, but in reality they are (often) swayed by TGS and the 'evidence' it puts forth.

3) You are asked to sign a 3-page document.

This is the Islington EYIF Referral Form. TGS will downplay its significance. Regrettably, most parents are very trusting and will sign the form, not bothering to read the fine print.

Parents, you are not obligated to sign that form when it is presented to you. Insist that have time to review it and consider your options. With your signed consent, your child will be placed on the SEN track with the Council. The consent form reads on page 1 and 3: "By signing this form you are agreeing to the involvement and support of the EYIT and for information to be shared with other professionals who may be involved with your child."

If TGS attempts to diagnose and label your child:

1. Arrange for an objective, independent expert assessment as soon as possible. Please, do not rely solely on the Council or TGS to conduct the assessment and assign a diagnosis.

If anyone would like a list of qualified clinicians, please feel free to PM me.

2. In some instances, your child may truly need additional support. Therefore, evaluate whether TGS is the really the right setting for your child. It may be that at a different school, your child will get the additional support they require at no additional cost to you. Furthermore, your child may not be labelled.

It is important to be aware of these facts:

1. The % of full-time TGS students labelled SEN jumped 25% from 2013 to 2014. With 20 students labelled SEN, this translates to 2.5 SEN students/class (note: excludes under 3's and Les Rennes).

2. 12.5% of full-time TGS students are labelled with special needs compared to a European average of 1.5% - 3%. IF the percent of TGS children labelled SEN were consistent with local averages, the maximum number SEN labeled children would be just 5 children, compared to the 20 TGS children that are labelled SEN currently.

3. There are financial incentives to labelling/over-labelling students.

4. Despite the school's glowing ISI Inspection Report, the Head is not a clinician. She is the owner of a local for-profit Montessori school, not a licensed practitioner in child behaviour.

5. TGS children with a SEN label are placed on the Islington SEN Register. When it comes time to apply to other schools, parents are obliged to report this on the new school's application form. The SEN label is a matter of record, and it can follow your child.

For more detail, please see the Islington Council website, and click on the Early Years Inclusion Team, SENCO PACK 2013.

Final Comment:

I applaud all the parents and teachers who have posted on this thread. I am a firm believer that greater transparency will make things better for all concerned.

The last poster has a very strange view of SEN and the meaning of it. What possible motivation would Gower have for mis labelling children SEN? And what possible motivation would Islington Council staff have for entering in to what it seems is some kind of alleged conspiracy with Gower?

Dear nlondondad,

Sincere apologies if the last post read that way, I didn't intend it to be taken that way. In no way am I suggesting any type of conspiracy. EYIT does important, good work.

When a parent is told by a school that their child has special needs, it comes as a devastating blow. Navigating through a SEN diagnosis is an ordeal and is completely overwhelming. That's why I thought it helpful to refer parents to the Islington Council's website for more information.

There have been several articles (and books) from leading experts that believe that schools are too quick to label. Yes, it's important to be proactive and supportive. However, even with good intentions, we must be careful not to over diagnose. I know of instances in which the TGS diagnose was absolutely wrong. It is for that reason, I suggested that parents get a second opinion.

I have recently left the Gower school nursery and not for any other reason than to try something new!
my plans were to spend a year there and ended up spending nearly 3 years!!!
such an amazing nursery!! and had the pleasure of working there! the children are well cared for and loved! the staff are really welcoming and work together as a team! its disappointing reading some of the comments on here as people feel the need to 'dis' the nursery as they clearly have nothing better to do!
I think anyone who is considering putting their child into the Gower Nursery should have a look at the school as it speaks for its self and not look at petty comments on here.
I highly recommend it!!!

also as for the SEN comments I think it is great that the Gower school try to diagnose any issues fairly early! my little brother was in a state nursery and it wasn't until he was 5 that they realised he had a speech and hearing problem and needed grommets! he is now 8 and still waiting for grommets and I can see that this has effected him in many ways!

your child will get the additional support they require at no additional cost to you

That phrase is ringing alarm bells. Do TGS really charge extra for SEN support? If so they're in breach of the Equality Act.

According to Ofsted's Report Summary, The Special Education Needs and Disability Review (2010):

"At present, the term 'special educational needs' is used too widely. Around half the schools and early years provision visited used low attainment and relatively slow progress as their principal indicators of a special educational need...Inspectors saw schools that identified pupils as having special educational needs when, in fact, their needs were no different from those of most other pupils. They were underachieving but this was sometimes simply because the school's teaching provision was not good enough, and expectations of the pupils were too low. A conclusion that may be drawn from this is that some pupils are being wrongly identified as having special educational needs and that relatively expensive additional provision is being used to make up for poor day-today teaching and pastoral support...we should not only move away from the current system of categorisation of needs but also start to think critically about the way terms are used."

Parents, as we all know, labels can be very difficult to shed. Labels can define a person's identify and sense of self worth. Given that there is so much at stake, doesn't it seem sensible to get a second opinion from an outside expert?

Montessori education is a great choice for early years education. Thereafter, people choosing a private education in London are generally looking for a solid academic curriculum with extra-curricular opportunity, a feeling of warmth, community and genuine concern for the education and welfare of their child. I have taught in private and state schools in London and Edinburgh and have not taught in a school where experiences, feelings and education are valued less. It is considered only in as much as to continue running as a business. The vision from management for a pupils journey through school, their experiences and the academic outcomes are limited due to lack of experience and engagement in the issue. Teachers who have very different backgrounds and experiences of education while perhaps excellent stand alone practitioners, cannot deliver curricular continuity through the school. Training and development for staff does not support in this. This was true years ago when I was briefly there and seems to still be the case. Talking to parents who have children still at the school I could only say that if the option was Gower I would home school. The attitude to family backgrounds and parents concerns in my experience was vulgar.
That said, if you are Montessori minded and can look past the above in terms of progression, nurture and safety, nursery children are probably in good hands as this is managements area of expertise (though I did not spend much time at the nursery). My concerns are for the education and experiences of children in Primary.
A good business but terrible place to facilitate education. The best word to cover a multitude of sins would be disingenuous.
Montessori working well alongside NC can be seen here.
therocheschool.co.uk/
Unfortunately if you are considering Gower this will be outside your catchment.