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?

The bad treatment of staff still continues.

Any improvements?

Surely the Gower has improved since? Contemplating working with them as all schools have their issues, but these posts are slightly disconcerting.

Any recent experiences??

TGS has a policy for "Behaviour of Parents On/Off the School Premises".

The excerpt below was taken directly from the TGS website. See Behavior Management, Discipline & Sanction Policy, page 14 for more details.

"Parents should not approach other parents on the school premises concerning external matters. Matters concerning pupils in the school should be handled objectively through the school and not solely between parents.

Parents should not use the Class Email System to vent personal vendettas against the school, nor should emails be circulated or placements made on social network sites that damage the reputation of the school/pupils/staff. Any email that is to be circulated publically to parents other than for normal class business should be approved by the Principal first."

Never seen anything like it!

How bizarre. So Gower parents can't approach each other on the premises to arrange the odd dinner, or to have a chat about the latest homework or, well, anything? And if you want to email some other parents to invite them to party or similar, you have to get the Principal's approval? I wonder if they make parents sign up to that on application, or if they keep it quiet? If I saw that I would be running very fast in the opposite direction.

I'm really struggling to understand this policy. "Parents should not approach other parents on the school premises concerning external matters." Does that honestly mean that while waiting to pick up a child a parent's not allowed to strike up a conversation about Brexit or Taylor Swift?

And who defines 'normal class business'? Do parents really run emails by the principal for approval like naughty kids?

To think that people dismiss anything in the public sector as nanny state...

Indeed.

Here is another astonishing and revealing excerpt from the TGS Behaviour of Parents On/Off the School Premises Policy :

"Parents should not become angry publically, and if they have a problem this should be dealt with in privacy with the person concerned and if necessary with another member of staff. Complaints should be handled according to the Complaints Procedure."

"Parents do not have permission to turn up at the school during school hours unannounced demanding to see their child’s teacher. If this happens, and they refuse to leave, they will be escorted off the premises. Parents may not meet class teachers when they are teaching and appointments must be made. If there is a court order against a parent seeing their child the school will abide by the conditions of the order. For example, a parent who has been banned from entering the school premises is trespassing if he or she does so without permission and the police will be called."

SDT85

• the existence of the policy itself reveals more about the ethos of school, its relationship to parents and perhaps a troubled history, than is surely intended? why would a parent "become angry publicly' for example? why would a parent or parents need to "vent personal vendettas against the school" and what is a "personal vendetta' anyway? it's incredibly defensive.

• since the policy aims to strip voice, opinion and even (it seems) the opportunity to have a chat from parents and teachers alike, I imagine that no PTA or Board of Governors is yet in place at TGS? Is there any parent/teacher/school forum?

• do parents adhere to this policy. surely there are rebels? or do they just leave?

We were at TGS. We left.

Things are very different now. Our school playground (we have very large playgrounds) is full of parents and teachers openly chatting - and laughing. Fundraising Charity Events, fetes, parties and festivals, run by a brilliant PTA, are held inside the school where parents and teachers mingle, and with alcohol too.... There would be no need for any parent to operate a clandestine attack aimed at the school through a circulation of emails, because the school operates a very open policy in regards parental input and opinion. Indeed, it welcomes feedback of any ilk, so that it might improve. Moreover, it values and respects the input and opinion of parents.
Disgruntled parents at the school gate just don't happen.

-it sounds as though TGS has chosen to become more draconian - I sense a desperation in that. It's disheartening too because one could seek to improve, nurture and restore relations with parents. Rather than building bridges and creating a strong school community, doesn't this policy set out to divide, repress and subdue? I would urge a change of mind and a change of policy. What happens to children who attend a school where (it appears) there's an entrenched fear of dialogue? Teaching children how to communicate well is surely fundamental to their wellbeing and development? I fear this is not possible inside a school which seeks to impose such policy.

Staff are still reduced to tears on a daily basis, treated poorly, unappreciated and wishes ignored.

False smiles and hurt prides everywhere.

Will be interesting to see how many are leaving at the end of this term.

When will something be done about this?

Just some things that spring to mind: -

• Not many members of support staff
• Children with SEND without consistent support
• Many staff paid on minimum wage
• Safeguarding concerns
• Head not qualified
• Headteacher unprofessional and inappropriate
• Complaints procedure states that you must contact the head's father if you wish to complain formally. (Ludicrous)
• High number of complaints about unfair treatment of staff and children
• Ridiculously high staff turnover
• Ridiculously high child turnover
• No playground
• Small classrooms
• No religious education on the curriculum although this is statutory
• No PTA
• No governors
• Minimal contact allowed with teachers
• Power mad and neurotic head teacher
• Management are negatively forceful, rude and aggressive

Anyone have any news about which staff are leaving this term?

Hello, what I don't understand is why anyone stays at the school and pays all this money.

My kids go to one of the local state schools that the Gower head slagged off as underwhelming about 200 messages ago and it's great. It's not even one of the sought-after ones either. It has PTA, governors, complaints procedure, safeguarding, SEN provisions etc etc ie all the things that are apparently lacking at the Gower.

And, due to the nature of inner London, it pretty much usually has the odd place free in every year past reception.

My children went to TGS, many years ago. Left due to a head above parapet situation with EG, and we found a new, lovely school. EG came on a tour of the new school via meeting the now ex-head at a conference a year later, and my DC hid behind desks when they saw her approaching: 'We thought we would never have to see her again!'.

I do not have any personal experience with this school. My DD attends an amazing Montessori primary school in South London. DD is thriving there and loves they way they learn. I am worried how in this thread personal negative experiences are mixed up with incorrect information.

If your child has special needs and needs support parents have to pay extra in any private school. State schools receive a budget for this from the local council, so it is unfair to compare them.

Private schools can follow their own curriculum. The Montessori curriculum is very similar to the National Curriculum. No private school has to teach religion. I chose my DD's school because they made it very clear they do NOT teach religion and I was glad I had this choice.

Private schools do not need a PTA and the qualification of the head is not regulated. This is why you visit private schools and get to know the head and their philosophy. You have a choice to send your child there, it is up to you.

As I said, I don't know this school or head from personal experience. I am worried about the way it is discussed here. My experiences at my DDs Montessori school are very very different. A very open door policy and as parents we are very much part of the school with lovely teachers.

Please always get your own impressions before you make your mind up about a school. And do not judge Montessori primary schools by what you are reading here.

bitachon - you are lucky not to have had personal experience of TGS. The Montessori Ethos itself has not been criticised, rather the manner in which the school operates. It interests me when a post appears in which worry/frustration/anxiety or unhappiness is expressed in regards the reputation of a school rather than compassion for the parents, children and teachers who (quite clearly) have experienced & still experience some pretty awful stuff. Indeed, Private Schools do not need a PTA. However, the question one must ask is why on earth a particular private school, in this case TGS, remains so entrenched in opinion against one?

I've heard that the Gower School has been losing lots of teachers lately. Something like 10 teachers have left since January (7 supposedly left at the end of the most recent term). This includes the Head of the Lower School, the special needs teacher and the Year 4 teacher. Another 3 positions are being advertised, so more staff changes are expected. Any idea what's going on?

Several staff have left, yes...and more rumoured to be leaving at Christmas. The 3 members of teaching staff that left were fantastic and really loved by everyone.

Throughout the year my DC and I counted 11 members of staff left in the primary alone with 7 in the final term.

There's no consistency and this all only confirms that teachers get treated poorly.

I heard recently that 1 of the support staff was even blackmailed and forced to stay after the resignation letter was handed in!

TGS are advertising for a new science teacher.

Once again it seems that the school is about to lose one of its brightest and best assets in a move that will affect pupils in all years.

It will also be the third science teacher to leave the school in a short period of time.

I really feel sorry for the students at the Cynthia Street location. That massive construction project is right on their doorstep. Between the army of cement lorries, diggers, cranes etc, the noise level and dust has got to be bad. I'd be more than a little nervous and upset having all that going on. Does anyone know how long that's going to take to complete?

Lists of positions being advertised for at TGS.

Both teachers and support staff.

Same old, same old.