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 withdrew my comment mainly out of fear to be honest. But I would like to say everything mentioned on here is correct, scarily correct. Like STD85 mentioned there's a lot more going on in there than meets the eye. Unfortunately if you choose a private school you need to remember that the majority of the time it is first and foremost a business.

Someone mentioned previously that if your in the lower school you're not guaranteed a place in the upper school. That is to do with how much they like you or based upon the intelligence of your child. If EG does not think your child is 'worthy' of her school then she won't accept you. If she doesn't like the parents or believe them to be outspoken, your child will not be accepted.

I only wish I could tell all on here but it will be removed for slander purposes. Is it still slander if I have evidence, unfortunately evidence doesn't seem to be listened too anymore. I'm sure EG will find a way to disrupt my career.

I've recently pulled up Ofsted, ISI and Montessori Schools inspection reports and have come across something that really concerns me. All of these reports appear to only cover provisions of the school up to Year 2. That is, I'm wondering if Upper School (year3-6) has ever undergone any formal inspection by an independent body at all. If I am mistaken about this, then please point out whatever I may have missed.

The last Ofsted Report was 2009. (Five years ago) In 2009 the school would have been very new and would have had very few Upper School Children. How many? A handful at most. The report certainly seems focused on Early Years. But how could you inspect something that didn't really exist at that point or was only in its infancy?

There have been frequent inspections by Montessori Schools Association but again these are focused on Early Years - no mention of Upper School where all the Montessori stuff is phased out. Lots of talk about the wonderful independent work and projects on the Great Lessons.

ISI inspected last year - but only Early Years Foundation Stage.

I'm not suggesting at all that the school has done anything wrong. I'm just wondering how many parents would be comfortable knowing that their DCs are going through a system that has never been fully assessed - especially when they're asked so frequently to trust that the administration know what they are doing.

Where's the accountability?

I think Ofsted works slightly differently when private schools are involved

www.ofsted.gov.uk/schools/for-schools/inspecting-schools/inspecting-independent-schools

Also I find it strange that the last inspection was 2009 as the school was inspected in 2012?

So you're saying they were inspected by Ofsted in 2012 but the report was never published?

I don't know what the current teachers would say, but I know that when I became overwhelmingly concerned about my kids being at that school, the teachers privately told me they would not have their own children attend that school. My concern was never about the teachers - who generally were here on extended travel visas - and were v nice and good but working in a bizarre, nonsense environment.Needless to say, they've all returned to their home countries now. A close friend - an educational psychologist- looked at the situation for me and also said she wouldn't have her children attend that school. I regret believing the hype for so long. The school my kids go to now is fantastic. Our head teacher is inspirational. Ms Gower is absolutely not.

Yes 100% there was a visit in 2012

I'm not sure if a report was published or not but I'm aware that at that time EG warned staff that Ofsted were coming and the following week they arrived and did an inspection.

Given the weight of comments on this thread one would have thought that the time may come in which the Gower attracts fewer parents willing to pay the fees.

But never fear, Ms Gower can always apply to be a Free School.

I thought Ofsted had to publish all reports? I've heard of delayed reports but never non-published ones.

I honestly have no idea but I can guarantee Ofsted visited early summer 2012

Have dug back through emails and found this from June 2012

'Today we received a visit from an Ofsted inspector, who was carrying out a ‘material change’ visit- reporting back on the various expansions and changes we have made to our premises to the Department for Education. He carried out a thorough walk about of both the nursery and primary school with me, and commented on the ‘high standards’ that he saw. He described our premises, furniture and resources as ‘being of an impeccable standard’ and commented on the ‘clean, calm, well kept, airy, high quality environment’. He has registered the primary school premises for 156 children.'

So the 2012 inspection wasn't a proper full-on inspection but one they do when there's been a 'material change' at the premises. Hence, no report.

Yes I remember, it was so EG could extend her numbers in the school.
I'm glad you dug it out as I like the way that nothing mentioned was based on the care of the children or the quality of learning.

London is a transient location, parents get jobs all over the country and across the globe and when they return they get their children back into TGS.

I don't get this "transient location" excuse for both teacher and pupil turnover. People working in London are the same as anywhere else - they need settled jobs for all sorts of reasons, including the fact that for career purposes you need to demonstrate sticking power, partners may have jobs locally, they buy houses in the area, and in particular they don't want their children's education disrupted. Businesses in London simply wouldn't function if there were as much staff turnover as TGS seem to suggest is the norm. The London office of our company has people at all ranks who have been working there for several years.

And if in fact it is that easy to get children back into TGS after taking them out, that indicates problems with numbers. It wouldn't happen in other successful private schools.

When we were at TGS, I knew when Ofsted was coming in. I am also aware that parents of a so-called "problem child" were discouraged from bringing their child to school during the visit.

I have to wonder what the inspector would have learned if it had been a surprise visit. Would all the teachers and students be present (even at the end of the day)? Would it reveal anything new?

Long time lurker, first time poster. Oh wow, where to start! I am astonished at some of the negativity from some posters on this thread. I have experienced TGS both as a parent and, previously/in another life, as an part of a firm involved in the development of their primary school (a role, may I add, that took me into numerous schools - state and private - across London).

Like any school, there are pros and cons. For us, these included: -

Pro - the facilities & investment in materials on which, trust me, no expense was spared.

Con - as a family we have a varied diet including, of course, meat and fish. IIRC their kitchen was veggie. Having lunched in many a school canteen, I can say that although meatless, what was on offer was not tasteless. Sure, I would not want to veg lunches 5 days a week, but at least it was fresh and healthy.

Pro - the nursery, which as others have said, is excellent. Teaching, support, everything.

Con - parking. Although there are spaces outside both sites, but finding one was always an issue for us. Of course, not directly a school/teaching issue, but a practical one.

Pro - the Head! Why do (most) Brits have an issue with successful strong minded women!? From 'our' side of the pond, we admire anyone who is a success, which the lady in question undoubtedly is. There were then, and appear to be now, waiting lists on the way in plus prestigious destination schools on the way out. I want my kids educated at an establishment with a strong leader…..(don't we all) want our kids to be strong and, dare I say leaders, in whatever field they choose to operate?

Con - it ain't cheap!

Pro - the children seemed happy. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is for any school the most telling sign of good/bad. It is not about parents' egos, politics and biases (which is apparent from some of the above posts), but about whether the ultimate end-users "like" to be there and want to attend. On virtually every visit, I experienced polite and comfortable little ones; the odd tantrum, but generally kids smiling and at ease.

Overall, I would say the atmosphere at TGS is very good and conducive to learning (which many of the teachers do well). Any organisation takes its direction from the top down and so the leadership is clearly doing something right. From what I understand, it is heavily oversubscribed…QED.

Many of the negative posts above are personal in nature and ignore the actual key issues and indicators of what makes a school good and/or successful. TGS is both.

@ nlondondad - do you know how many free schools established by parents are successful?? Why don't you start one and show the forum how its done!? Why do so many MC parents think they can run a school??…hmm

Lastly, what is the big deal with it being a business? So what if it makes money!!!? Jeez….are we in Havana? Considering the fees, many parents at this school are likely financially well off, in well paying jobs/businesses that…..wait for it….make money! And some of those people begrudge the institution they send their kids to from having the same values. Ha!

(And please do not compare it to, and expound the virtues of, a charitable-type status schools where "the profits are re-invested". Where do you think their profits go…sure, partly into facilities, etc but a very large amount into the renumeration of the senior leadership team and teachers. Its just another way of getting the money out.)

Did you see the ex teachers posts?

Jamiestarr wrote:' Many of the negative posts above are personal in nature and ignore the actual key issues and indicators of what makes a school good and/or successful. TGS is both.'

I too am a long time lurker but first time poster and am amazed that you feel that posts that are negative in nature mean that the poster is ignoring the actual key issues and indicators. I dont quite understand how you come to that conclusion.

Children are inherently happy people. My work brings me into schools around the country and I have never been in a school where the kids came across as unhappy. But as adults, we all know that there are good and bad schools. Therefore I dont really feel that a happy child is a reliable indicator of whether a school is good or bad.

My child attended the Gower school. She was very happy. We, the parents, werent convinced ( tbh, we really didnt have confidence in the head) . My child now attends a fantastic school. She is even happier than before. But now also are her parents! We now feel we are giving her a wonderful start in life.

But thank you for your balanced post Jamiestarr and btw, you said in your post:' partly into facilities, etc but a very large amount into the renumeration of the senior leadership team and teachers.'

How amazing that they would share that information with you! You were obviously very close to them during your time as a parent and/or worker!

Jamiestarr there seem to be a lot of long time lurkers and first time posters on this thread.
There is a lot of negativity on this thread from staff and parents. This should make you question the reputation of the school. And we all have the right to our opinion.

You mention you are a parent and have also worked closely with the school. Well with all due respect I doubt you worked there for a long period of time. I'm sure your role must have been one for observation purposes? If a parent enters the school I'm sure you are aware that people may act differently and be on guard. You couldn't possibly have experienced what the staff or particular parents had to deal with, as posted previously on this thread.

The pros and cons you mention aren't very balanced.

• Yes the school has very good equipment, although the lack of an outdoor area in the primary school is not a good facility.

-You mention the food. In previous posts parents have mentioned Iceland vans delivering food. This is hardly healthy.

-Completely disagree about the statement regarding good teaching and support.

-Well done EG for being a successful woman. Although I don't believe success should be achieved by stepping on the ones who support you, especially financially (parents)
Also the staff seem unhappy which makes me wonder how EG treats the ones are the face of her business.

-Regarding the children seeming happy Molliemop answered that one perfectly.

-If the leadership was so great then why is there such a large staff turnover?
Wouldn't a good leader value the ideas and opinions of parents, Why will EG refuse the opportunity for a PTA?

Overall we all have our own opinions, as you have the right to aswell. But from this thread there are clearly issues which people are concerned about. These obviously need to be addressed. More worryingly ex staff have posted with serious concerns and they seem to have been taken down. Very suspicious?

TGS are advertising for a year 5 and 6 teacher. Someone's on the move.

JS - I think all of us here welcome the opportunity to look at "key indicators." One key indicator that is highly relevant is the percent of children at TGS that are classified as special needs.

According to TGS's November 2013 Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Report, "217 pupils are on the roll, of whom 121 are in EYFS. 16 pupils receive support for special education needs and/or disability (SEND). One of whom has a statement of special educational needs, and 11 of whom are in EYFS."

Therefore, 9% of EYFS pupils have a SEND classification.

If you compare that percentage with other countries (e.g., Sweden, Italy, Spain, France, Poland, Portugal) the value is 3% or lower. Furthermore, this figure is a State School average.

Why is the TGS value so high? If we were to take away the financial incentives, how much would the percent of children classified as special needs decline at TGS?

Is it not strange that the ISI or Ofsted don't notice anything wrong with those figures?

Yes Daisycake, 9% of TGS children in EYF labelled "special needs" is a huge percentage in my opinion. That certainly should set off alarm bells, especially when compared against ANY local private or state school.

The Telegraph newspaper published an article (Feb 2013) which gave some very informative statistics, including:

% of Children with Special Needs:
1.5% - Sweden
2% - Italy and Spain
3% - France, Poland and Portugal

Note: TGS Percent of EYF Children with Special Needs = 9%!!!

The long-term impact of misdiagnosis can be absolutely 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."

Furthermore, The Guardian newspaper reported that:

1. 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.

2. Higher expectations of all children and better teaching and learning, would lead to fewer children being identified as having special educational needs.

3. Relatively expensive additional provision is being used to make up for poor day-to-day teaching and pastoral support.

4. In areas where school funding was linked to the proportion of children with special needs, this provision provides an, obvious motivation for schools to identify more such children.

I have witnessed firsthand how TGS conveniently manipulates, exaggerates and warps the truth when it came to a certain "problem" child. From my experience they were all too quick to label the child and malign the independent clinical experts whose opinion ran contrary to that of TGS. What does TGS have to gain? Well, quite simply it's all about exploiting a business opportunity. But as JamieStarr states, "what is the big deal with it being a business? So what if it makes money!!!?" Considering the fees, many parents at this school are likely financially well off, in well paying jobs/businesses that…..wait for it….make money! And some of those people begrudge the institution they send their kids to from having the same values. Ha!"

I highly doubt JamieStarr that any parent, no matter "how financially well off" would EVER have the "same values."

DaisyCakes85, I've name changed for this post so am not a newbie. I'm also in no way associated with the Gower school, however I am telling you that Ofsted & ISI can be manipulated by schools as can their statistics. ISI inspections are merely a box ticking exercise anyway.

I am an ex chair of governors at my children's primary school. They went went to private senior schools & I know how easy it is to massage information for inspections because I've seen it happen in both sectors. Not saying TGS has played the same game as many other state & private schools, just saying it happens more often than anyone knows. It is also very common for teachers to speak incognito on forums such as this & for them to leave their positions without formally making complaints. Whistle-blowing policies do not appear to be working. Staff feel if they do say anything detrimental, even when they have evidence to support their claim, they will be seen as troublemakers which may halt their careers. The most challenging time I ever had as a governor was when the teachers were in open revolt just before an Ofsted. The inspectors didn't have a clue about the major rumblings & which we covered up with sticky tape & Ofsted considered the school to be good with outstanding features. The HT was praised for her open door approach with parents, but the inspectors didn't see how the HT ignored parents & bitched about them in the staff room. She would bitch about the staff to governors & I'm sure she had someone to bitch about the governors to. To put it bluntly, the HT was a nightmare. I'm no longer a governor at this school, the HT was there until last year when the now more stringent Ofsted inspectors put the school into special measures. The HT swiftly retired two terms early & the school is in the process of being made into an academy.

All schools have issues, the ones that succeed are the ones who choose to embrace these & resolve them. The schools who ignore rumours & complaints will eventually get found out.

That was perfectly said. I've experienced the incompetence of Ofsted first hand, as I have also experienced the rush of 'fixing' things before an Ofsted visit.

In most cases HT are employed, in the case of the Gower the owner is the HT, therefore rather than resolving issues she chooses to cover them up and pass the blame to anyone else she can. Like you said all schools have issues but the ones that choose to rectify these issues are the ones I respect. I think it's time EG takes responsibility for her own actions and change her practice.

In all schools observations should be made on teachers within the classroom. I'm sure most people are aware of the teaching cycle. Plan, implement, observe and improve. There's no room for improvement as there are no observations.

EG loves to discredit staff and parents, and does this in a nasty way. She doesn't realise that it looks bad and some people can see through her 'pass the buck' mentality.

When a majority has serious concerns then it's time to start thinking maybe it's not everyone else maybe it's me (EG)?

I considered this school for my son. I was looking round a load of schools at the time. This was the only school that said that that as a condition of letting me even look round the school they had to see my son's latest school report, plus his NC levels. As it happens he had very good NC levels - all L2s in Y1. I didn't tell them that. In fact, I was so arsed off I put the phone down. I felt they were incredibly up their own arses (even the excellent prep schools didn't have this requirement. And at least they were overtly selective on their websites).