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Gower school islington

563 replies

BeenieBaby · 25/08/2013 09:48

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?

OP posts:
LolaTheAvocado · 23/09/2014 19:41

I stumbled across this thread purely by accident, but it has made for fascinating reading.
I'm an ex staff member. I left 12 years ago, having started only a short time after the original nursery opened. Whilst it was a wonderful setting, with bright airy rooms, bullying amongst the staff was rife, and EG ruled with an unprofessional iron rod. There was once incident in which I was asked by the then deputy if I could make a particular date for a staff meeting. At the time I was in the garden with the children so I replied that I wasn't sure, I'd check and get back to her. A few minutes later I popped inside to collect something and overheard the deputy repeating the conversation we'd had, and EG's response of 'well I just want to sack her'. I did pull them both up on it later in the day, but they were both only sorry they were caught.
I eventually handed my notice after the staff bullying sent me home in tears yet again and it was clear that I would receive no support from management. Posts above about the parents not knowing that you'd left ring true. It was left to me to tell the parents I was leaving and indeed, EG was less than impressed by this and discouraged me. I actually went on to nanny for a family who's child attended TGS. The parents were becoming increasingly dissatisfied with exchanges involving EG and had very little time for her. They asked that I not tell anyone where I was going on to work as they feared that EG would make life very difficult for them when it came to dropping their child's hours. It is worth noting at this point that I handed my notice without another job to go to, and it was only when this parent asked me what I was going on to do, that they offered me a job with them. We both knew that TGS would not see it that way, so they were never informed. However, I was privy to the newsletter that was sent home after I left as the child stayed on two days a week. In this newsletter, it was announced that I'd left to move away. For those amongst the staff lobbying for change, if it hasn't changed in 12 years, It probably won't.

As for the post about teachers. EG like to call everyone teachers. I was an unqualified nursery assistant, but still referred to as 'teacher'.

I had a look at the staff list on the website as a result of this thread and other than EG, there's only one name I recognise and that teacher is someone who was very much in EG's pocket back then. She's her protégé and I'm not surprised in the slightest to hear she's still there.

I hope the EG listens to parental unrest and sets up a PTA. As a parent herself, should she not realise that parents have voices that are valuable?

Islington2008 · 23/09/2014 20:14

Goodness me. I hope the last writer wasn't a maths teacher as the Gower School only opened in 2007 so I can't see how someone left the nursery to nanny for children at the Gower school.
Really, the school as in most things in life has moved on; please detractors, could you too? As a satisfied parent who wants the school to continue its progression, I urge other parents to do their own research and please not rely on a thread which is full of comments which are very often out of date, inaccurate or just plain bonkers.

Oldtimer66 · 23/09/2014 20:44

Reading this thread is infuriating. The fact that some have the nerve to defend TGS after all that has been revealed on here.
There's no smoke without fire!
It's clear TGS has not changed throughout the years, and unfortunately will never change.

Islington2008 before you try and belittle someone and attempt to make them look stupid, you should probably get your facts straight. TGS primary opened in 2007. TGS nursery opened in 2000!
I urge you to do your own research before you comment!

LolaTheAvocado · 23/09/2014 22:19

Islington2008. I quite clearly state 'I left 12 years ago, having started only a short time after the original nursery opened.'. At no point did I say I worked for the school site. When I worked for TGS, the long term plan to turn it into a primary school was already there in theory, it just took a few years to get of the ground, by which point I had left.
But thank you for your comments. I do hope that the backfiring of your attempt to mock and belittle me, hit home with you and you'll perhaps consider checking your facts before doing so in future. If only to stop yourself looking ignorant of course.

Oldtimer, I thank you for your support.

LolaTheAvocado · 23/09/2014 22:28

Incidentally, I have completely moved on with my life. I think about TGS from time to time, but more to think fondly of the children I cared for in my time there. As I said, I stumbled across this thread by accident whilst perusing Mumsnet, and it stirred natural curiosity. After reading all 401 posts that went before mine, I wanted to throw my tuppence in, regarding how little things seem to have changed in over a decade. That point is the downfall of EG and may prove as such to be the downfall of TGS. The rigid determination that there is only one way to do things and the refusal to change.

Islington2008 · 23/09/2014 23:03

I read the original note as from someone who left the Gower NURSERY 12 years ago then having no job to go to went to work for a family who had a child at the Gower SCHOOL. As I stated, it was not then possible to work for the Gower SCHOOL 12 ago as it didn't exist. Clearly my attempt at humour didn't quite hit the spot.

The real point I was making was that 12 years is a jolly long time ago.

I am also very pleased you have moved on so nicely and have good memories of the children whom I hope are equally happily settled in high schools somewhere.

LolaTheAvocado · 24/09/2014 00:24

But the nursery is also, and has always been called The Gower School. Despite originally being a nursery, it was always Emma's plan to expand and so she named it accordingly.

Agreed it's a long time ago and it always makes me feel rather old when I realise that they are at high school now.

SquirrelSwarm · 25/09/2014 17:10

The thing that's concerned me most on reading this thread has been the apparent "with me or against me" attitude of TGS's senior leadership. That's not a normal, healthy state of affairs.

schlp · 02/10/2014 11:02

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Greenfizzywater · 02/10/2014 11:09

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3kidsandme · 02/10/2014 13:28

what on earth is that video meant to show, apart from the fact that children are dancing around whilst on moving transport....surely that's not safe.
Why have so many posts about this school been deleted?

11peacocks · 02/10/2014 17:59

Before broadcasting these Happy marketing videos on YouTube, I hope the school followed protocol and obtained signed parental consent and secured permission from the copyright holder.

EllenMumsnet · 05/10/2014 09:16

Morning all, will shortly remove the link to the promo video, as one of the parents of a child in it has asked us to zap it. Hope no one minds: plot summary - children dancing to Pharrell and smiling.

Hope you're enjoying your morning Grin

11peacocks · 05/10/2014 11:24

MNHQ - Thank you for your appropriate action.

Does anyone else find it unorthodox that TGS posts hundreds of student photos on the TGS Facebook page? Why doesn't TGS use any privacy settings or have invitation-only access? Surprisingly, the TGS Facebook photos are completely open to the public.

Given how TGS uses social media, parents would appreciate it if the school had an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) in place. In the meantime, there needs to be some simple, common sense safeguards.

Icimoi · 05/10/2014 15:09

So presumably at least one parent hasn't previously been told that the school proposed to put their child's picture on Youtube?

Guitargirl · 05/10/2014 15:20

I think it's a bit bonkers that a parent has objected to having the link to the video on MN and yet it's still up there on YouTube for all to see.

girlfriendinacoma1 · 09/10/2014 15:25

"A group of Pharrell Williams fans who were arrested for filming themselves dancing to the Pharrell Williams song Happy on the rooftops of Tehran have received suspended sentences of imprisonment and lashes."

The Guardian, Friday 19 September 2014

Iran and the anti-TGS crew ... One struggle, one fight ...watch out Emma!

10purplepansies · 09/10/2014 15:33

Children are children, give them the opportunity to laugh, sing and play and they will. Producing a 'happy' video featuring 'happy' children and a smiling Emma does not cover up the fact that TGS is a school with great unhappiness amongst staff and parents alike and it is run by a bully.

letSlipTheDogsOfWAR · 09/10/2014 16:12

No PTA. No Board of Governors.

Instead....a propaganda film.

Misplaced and ill-spent direction and energy.

Mangifoo · 28/10/2014 18:30

So funny!

TGSshit2 · 30/10/2014 19:40

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Brent18 · 30/10/2014 19:41

It is so frustrating that this thread is still going. I am a very happy TGS parent and have not spoken to any parents who are unhappy. Clearly if we were unhappy we would move our children out of the school.

It is a great school and it is depressing reading all of the negative comments about it which bear no resemblance to the school we enjoy.

TGSshit2 · 30/10/2014 19:45

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TGSshit2 · 30/10/2014 19:47

You are living in a bubble... Pop!!!!

Brent18 · 30/10/2014 20:21

Well if so I have been in it for some time and there are many other parents in there with me. Think we know what we are doing.