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 King's Cross Quarter building project, which backs onto Gower's primary school has approval for over 100 residential units. The final work seems to overlook onto Gower and may possibly block sunlight. Estimated completion: September 2018. I hope the developers are sensitive to the overlooking and have taken that into account in their design.

Just stay away. It's a business, all they care about is profit. Staff are disposable. Headmaster is a control freak and if anyone has an issue with the school, they're pretty much told to get over it or leave. Staff work 7.30-5, staying later most days to complete work then are essentially bullied out of the place, I know this first hand. Pathetic excuse of an educational institution.

7.30-6*

A very poor education masked by every child having a tutor - certainly in Year 6, often by Year 4.

I agree completely.

Someone I know told me that the school advises parents to get tutors to prepare for the 11+. Which at least is honest I suppose, since most private schools outwardly discourage it while at the same time knowing full well it goes on.

I just noticed that The Academy School in Hampstead got an Outstanding Ofsted Report in every single category. In almost every way, the school is the antithesis of Gower. For those families that feel let down by Gower, have a look at The Academy on Pilgrim's Lane. What sets this school apart is that it has outstanding, tenured teachers (virtually no staff turnover). The relaxed, nurturing environment caters to students with different abilities so that they can achieve their potential. It is not just the favoured students who get all the praise, encouragement and best teachers. As a result, 11+ results are excellent, all done without the need for additional tutoring. Long-serving, experienced teachers makes a big difference in outcomes. The Academy School's Head is also quite impression.

Hi, that does sound very different from Gower. Staff turn-over is a real problem there. I believe that the lack of qualified teachers (including under-qualified managers) results in the bullying of anyone seen as a threat. i.e anyone with half a clue. Sad really.

This is due to the Headteacher and Head of Learning's incompetence which has rendered them controlling and paranoid towards both staff and parents.

It has been this way since the school began and no one can find a way to effect change it seems.

Wanted to wish all the new Gower School parents the best of luck! You are going to need it.

I am a seriously concerned parent at the school and am in the process of debating if I should keep my child at the school.

The new year has started and apart from all the children that left due to the 7+, I am aware 3 other children that have left the school and not due to relocation.

I have been made aware that they gave notice during the school holidays, which means those parents would still have to pay fees for this term, which makes me believe they were desperate to leave and did not mind losing the money to get out of there.

I have heard rumours that it was because all three parents fell out with Head!

Is it acceptable to call a child a MORON??? I have it on good authority(4 different parents that have children in the class have confirmed) that during their morning yoga the Head of learning/deputy head walk through the class and directed at a certain child ask, What is this moron doing! Shocking! What is even more shocking it that she gets away with it. Maybe i heard the story wrong 4 times but i don't think so.

I feel ill. Heartbreaking.

www.tes.com/jobs/search?keywords=the%20gower%20school

More staff leaving...

Not at all surprised that more staff are leaving. I'm only surprised when they stay.

@sunnysideup I’ve been following this thread for years and you’ve hit the nail on the head. Surprised when they stay?
Why do they stay? Are they qualified? Can they not get employment elsewhere?

Hello, if you look at the staff details, many teachers only hold minimal qualifications such as a Montessori qualification, or were trained overseas or both. That makes getting work in this country difficult, especially in the independent sector. I think anyone who could move, would. Who else would stay in a School where a senior member of staff calls children morons?

I can confirm from a place of knowledge that this is in fact a common occurrence from both the head and the head of learning. Moron is a commonly used term by the 'teacher' in question to describe both chidlren AND staff members. It's seemingly OK for them to belittle and degrade both children and staff who are considered 'less' than others.

Have also heard "why don't you think before you speak to stop garbage coming out of your mouth?" and "what a stupid answer" on several occasions. Scaring children into submission and shouting/banging on tables is also regular. Oh and I mustn't forget making any additional learning difficulties blatently obvious to the rest of the kids. Maria Montessori must be spinning in her grave.

TGS seems to have the same issues and nothing seems to change. If the ‘head teacher’ stopped looking at the school as a business, which it obviously is, she may see some progression.
Personally I question why this school has been allowed to continue this way for years without involvement from any outside bodies. Personally I think EG may have a few friends in certain places preventing this. There’s something very uncomfortable about TGS.

@Cambiarelnombre I believe overseas training is seen as desirable in many cases, at least according to a few heads I've spoken with when I raised the questions about teacher qualifications (after TGS, which seems to have so many, I was curious about the number of foreign trained teachers at other schools). I was told more than once that overseas qualifications are longer study / more respected than U.K. qualifications. What I think happens, though, is that schools can tie teachers with sponsored visas and I bet that's happening a fair amount here. Teachers can't leave without losing their visas. It would explain a lot...

@daisychain111 I thought it was the other way round. Many students come to England as our qualifications are regarded as a higher achievement. But you are right they are tied to this school for visa purposes.
In a private school the teachers are not required to have any qualifications.

I do not know what the 'place of knowledge' is that has observed the use of the term 'moron' etc.

However, I can only say that I find that very hard to believe, that it is not something that I have witnessed, or heard talked about, and that my son's experience is of something very different.

His classroom teachers are two of the most wonderful, caring, sophisticated people you could wish to meet. I was blown away by a recent maths parents workshop where the teaching methods and approach was explained. It was truly exemplary.

What we have been lucky enough to experience is a lovely, warm, caring school that wants to do the best for every student - which definitely does not mean hot housing them.

I get the sense that there is a rather nasty thread in this discussion, where people with a grievance with Ms Gower are happy to feed a noxious fire. I wish it would cease.

Dear Stockbridge, I do speak from a place of knowledge and I can honestly say that 'wonderful, caring, sophisticated' are the last words I would associate with the level of teaching available at the Gower School. I do not have any personal grievances. I simply want the parents who pay for their children's 'education' at the School to have an awareness of the reality.

Stockbridge this thread has been active for 5 years. I’m interested to know how and when you discovered this thread and how it made you feel? If it was before then I am quite surprised you chose this setting for your child. If it was after then why would you choose to ignore staff & parents grievances? They can’t all be wrong, they can’t all be lying!
People do have a grievance with Ms Gowers. But please remember Ms Gowers is the Gower school, the Gower school being a business first and foremost. The fact she has been on this thread speaks louder than words.
More importantly have any of the issues in this thread actually been addressed yet?