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?

evamariesaint - I'm glad you spotted the Year 5&6 job opening. Here is an excerpt from the job description (source: eteach.com):

KS2 Primary Teacher
Start Date: 1 September 2014
"An opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated, dedicated teacher for a mixed year 5&6 group...Ideally with 3 to 4 years experience, preferably with years 5 and 6."

TGS is not exactly setting the qualification bar particularly high. In fact, it's very low. Does TGS actually believe that a new teacher with a mere 3-4 years experience (if that) can really prepare the children to sit for the all important 11+ exams? If TGS can't find someone with year 5 and 6 experience, what qualifications will this untested individual have?

Sadly, I suspect that once again TGS will try to keep its staff costs down and will only blame and discredit the new year 5&6 teacher if the 11+ results are disappointing.

hopingdesperately you thought TGS was an actual school rather than an exercise in status - your mistake.

And once again it´s one of the best and most qualified members of staff leaving...It'll be interesting to know how many children will be leaving at the end of this term.

Yes schlondoprep it will also be interesting to know how many total teachers will be leaving at the end of this term.

girlfriendinacoma1 asked earlier "Does TGS have a higher staff turnover than comparable inner city schools? Where are the figures?"

Well, according to the Local Government Authority's "Teacher Resignation and Recruitment 2006 Survey," TGS is off-the-scale:

% Teacher Turnover
53.3% TGS (this Mumsnet thread reported that 16 teachers left last yr)
10.9% London Local Authority Average

Of course, it would be more useful to look at the TGS 3 or 5-year historical average to get a more complete picture. Perhaps TGS would be willing to share those figures with us.

Sincere apologies, it is now my understanding that the above TGS number inadvertently included some primary school office staff. Because local benchmark data is readily available online, it would be useful to compare it to the TGS teacher turnover rate:

1. Over several years (1, 3 and 5 year historical average)

• AND-

2. Segment out TGS primary and the nursery school teacher turnover rates.

As a business, TGS should have this HR information at their fingertips.

I’ve posted before. Lost passwords and such. I’m anidIot. So here I am reinvented.

so - at the finish of summer term that's a year only at TGS for the present French teacher?

And a year too for the previous French teacher, if I remember correctly.

sacre bleu!

I don't know if this is still relevant but I found this on the montessori.org.uk website:

The Gower School, Islington, London has job opportunities in our happy, friendly and beautiful MSA accredited 0-11s schools. We require committed, 3-6s Montessori qualified teachers with sound knowledge of the Foundation Stage, and recent relevant experience to work with 3 to 6 year olds. We are particularly keen to receive applications from 6-9 or 9-12 teachers, as well as from Senior Montessori teachers. Term time only positions as well as all year round available, as well teaching practice placements. Our children use the full range of materials as they progress through the school. Our schools are well resourced and we take a high quality approach to children's education. If you are passionate about using the Montessori approach with young children then please send your CV and covering letter to the Principal by email to [email protected] (Dec 3)

I guess we can expect more teachers to be leaving.

Wow this is perhaps the longest ever thread about a school I have read. And I read a lot, while trying to find a new school for my child who used to be at TGS. Child has now been happily settled at their new school, and this thread only reinforces the decision we made (which like many others was a quick exit after a difference of opinion, would love to share details but I'm sure my post would be removed).

I'm posting because I wanted to send a message of support to the teacher who has been discussed on the thread. We all know who she is, and I hope she is reading this. I find it incredible that this teacher, who was one of the best, most caring, thoughtful and inspirational of staff in the school could be treated this way. She gave stage-shy children the confidence to stand up and perform through her own passion for drama, and encouraged every child in the class to work to their best ability, always in a gracious and good-humoured way. To destroy her professional life is wrong and those involved should feel ashamed.

That is all.

Yes, TupperwareQueen. Just yes.

It is amazing how many messages in this post. This itself speaks volumes really.
We are at TGS and we decided already to change school. We are in the process of applying now. It will be a bit disruptive for our child but I am sure they will be better off in the long term.
TGS is a shambolic place and things are crumbling down more and more lately. In my experience at least.
Shame as we invested energy, time, efforts, hope and money in that school. Results are very mediocre and clearly not adequate to the fees we are paying.
moving one now.

When I told my DC about what was going on, she was so angry she decided to write EG a letter of complaint. Opening salvo: "I was upset to here about your 'difficulty handling good teachers'". DC goes on to make some constructive comments about where else EG might be slipping up, and offers a few solutions. I don't think it is sendable though if the teacher in question could see it I am sure it might cheer her up a little!

I am a teacher currently working at The Gower School. I have been employed here for a few years now. It is a loving, caring and fun environment, where I have seen children flourish in all aspects of learning within the curriculum.
I would just like to say TGS is a great company to work for. I feel like I am supported well by management. There have been a lot of negative comments on here that are simply untrue. I feel there is a better way to air concerns and this is not the place.
For prospective parents who are reading this, please come and see us to make up your own minds.

Tell us how many teachers are leaving at the end of term.

Well said letSlipTheDogsOfWAR!

Completely agree and we are so appalled as well and so disenchanted that we are leaving the school.

At a very basic level we don't think that the fees paid are fair for the service offered. This is our personal experience but it seems that the more I read the more I realised that the sooner we leave the better.

I expect us to be labelled as well but we don't care. We are just sorry for the disruption caused to our child and for the bad choice we made. There were so many other schools that accepted our child at the time and for some reason (related to the fact that the school call itself a Montessori school) we opted for TGS. poor choice. that was it. A poor choice that surely will have some consequences in the short term but that hopefully will not leave any permanent traces on our family.

123teacher: regretfully I know that many other teachers are leaving at the end of this year and yet again they are leaving because the environment is just not fit for a pleasant work environment.

If you manage to have disgruntled workers, disgruntled parents and, most importantly, not well supported children, what is left?
please 123teacher tell us because I have tried my best but I cannot understand.

Without getting dragged into this debate as I am sure you all have your reasons of why you are unhappy with the school and Emma but I have to say we are very happy with the way our daughter has been educated. I spent a considerable amount of time looking at nurseries and later, when we were considering moving out of London, at primary schools and The Gower School always compared well. I think there is a happy atmosphere amongst the children. My daughter has a healthy attitude to school and learning which I think The Gower School has given her.

Reading these comments over the weeks I have been dragged into thinking 'oh no what have I done, should we move schools etc' but I have taken a good look at the school, my daughter's development over the years and I feel these comments are unfair. There are a lot of positive elements to The Gower School which have not been reflected here.

I agree with 123teacher people need to visit the school themselves and make up their own mind. You can tell by the atmosphere in the classrooms it is a fun place for children to learn and the proof of this is in the happiness of the children.

Yes the teachers make it a delightful place for the children to be. They however are all leaving.

I cannot speak for all classes, but my children are in two different classes at TGS and all teachers in both are returning in the autumn term.

I agree with Dandylion8 and also think that comments on here are unfair - I haven't experienced anything as traumatic as what others on here appear to have. Yes, the occasional "This is a bit much of an ask, wouldn't it help parents a bit if it was done in this way instead?" With a polite no returned. But nothing that upsets me, and more importantly, my children.

They thrive at this school and come home on a daily basis twittering excitedly about this that or the other that has occurred throughout the day. Their scores are above where they should be and at teacher meetings I am constantly reassured by the wonderful teachers my children have.

I am not disregarding that something has happened to the parents on here that they clearly feel very strongly about, but I am very happy with TGS as are my children.

I suggest prospective parents to ask for turnover numbers both among children and teachers. Or more simply visiting the classrooms starting with reception and up to Y6. Then it will be obvious that children leave.

I am not saying that it is all bad. I am just saying that in our experience TGS is not worth the money paid. Surely there are parents that stay who are happy there but there are parents leaving who, for several reasons, are not.

I respect and appreciate the positive comments. Please respect and appreciate the less positive ones.

Yes, some parents will undoubtedly be happy at TGS...but what happens when it's time to move on and experience life at a real school? Where are all the glowing remarks from these former TGS parents? I don't see a single positive comment from an ex-parent on this entire 200+ comment thread. Now that I mentioned it, let's expect some to suddenly appear (eyes roll).

Yes, TGS has a nicely orchestrated sales pitch. However one of the best ways for prospective parents to really learn about a school is to speak DIRECTLY with current and/or former parents. I'm sure any prospective parent speaking with me would scratch TGS off within 1 minute, based solely on quantifiable key indicators (e.g., excessive high staff turnover and SEND rates). In fact, it has happened several times already, and those prospective parents have thanked me.

You see, research shows that dissatisfied customers are an outspoken group. In fact, they will tell between 9-15 people about their negative experiences. About 13% of those people will tell more than 20 people.

Good schools welcome and encourage input from parents and teachers. Parent concerns are not labelled (e.g., "untrue" or "unfair). Good schools proactively investigate and address concerns in a professional manner. Good schools simply don't have all this drama.

Many stories of parents/carers being reported to Children's Services at the drop of a hat for what amounts to differences in parenting styles.