Page 4 | Changes at Orchard House prep school Chiswick

Babytalk2019 · 2021-03-15T20:38:10+00:00

Hello, I wondered if there may be any Orchard House (Chiswick, London) parents out there that have any opinions or insight into the recent, and future changes at the school? My son is due to start reception there this September. We have just heard that there will be a new headteacher starting and that the school will be merging with Chiswick and Bedford Prep (which we know nothing about). I am also aware that the school is now under Dukes Education, as of last year I believe. All big changes since we accepted our son’s place... If you happen to have a child attending the school already, are they happy there? Are the new changes welcomed in any way?? We are of the belief that up until 9/10 years of age results and formal education are less important than opportunities to explore, have fun with learning etc. The current headteacher seemed to convey OH had a similar ethos - if this is the case, do you expect things to change? Our biggest concern is that the school (or management) is now forced to focus on P&L and results at the cost of achieving the head’s ethos, hence the new merger. I do appreciate that there cannot be any hard facts about the future and that opinions are by their nature of subjective- we are just keen to do whatever research we can and gauge feedback given that the school may be quite different by next year. Thank you in advance x

backflicflack · 11/12/2022 18:11

Really? Not sure I’m convinced by people who say they have no attachment to the school, then say their favourite teacher is leaving, then when queried say they live in the same house but obviously didn’t know the other had an attachment to the school, and then someone conveniently walking behind OHS staff discussing their salary! Honestly, these are one and the same people who obviously have a grudge against the school for some reason. Could be a teacher but I really don’t believe these posts are genuine. I’m commenting no further on this thread as I think it is tainted. Enough said!

Youaremyfavourite · 11/12/2022 21:49

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backflicflack · 12/12/2022 09:27

It’s not my place to comment on that really is it. Your friend was not happy and acted accordingly. You make decisions based on what is best for your child. I can’t say more really. These things happen in schools everywhere and no school is perfect . Seems like there are lots of teachers on this thread! Anyway, I no longer wish to continue this conversation. It’s all getting a bit ridiculous!

Youaremyfavourite · 12/12/2022 13:28

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Youaremyfavourite · 12/12/2022 13:29

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backflicflack · 12/12/2022 16:37

I think you are being overly aggressive here! This has nothing to do with me and as I said if it did happen that was not good but there are always two sides to every story. You say the school acted and the TA left. Not sure what more there is to say. I’m sure lessons will have been learned and it won’t happen again. What would you like me to do? As I said, no school is perfect and as long as the school have sorted it then you accept it or remove your kid from the school if you’re still not happy.

WestLondonn · 12/12/2022 21:24

@backflicflack this is exactly this school’s mentality. “Remove your child if you aren’t happy”. Yes some families have done that because the school doesn’t solve the issues(=care about the children’s well-being). And this is WRONG. People who are suffered and/or saw other families suffering in the school spend time writing here to warn other parents. This is the advice you would want to read before selecting schools. It is not the place for the management to defend their school. It’s for advice for parents. I am sure there are people who appreciate this especially after going through hell with the school. The school can’t be made better by replying comments here. Actions talk.

backflicflack · 13/12/2022 14:57

Hold on a minute. I do not work at the school and again, your tone is very aggressive! Not everyone hates OHS as much as some of the people on here who I suspect are one and the same! I do not believe most of what is written in these posts as I suspect it is an individual who is not a parent who has an axe to grind! You also have to accept that you cannot please everyone, so if you are not happy, you move on. It happens all the time. Now please, let’s agree to disagree, it’s nearly Christmas for goodness sake!

WestLondonn · 13/12/2022 21:33

Aren’t the schools supposed to be a safe place for children rather than bullying is overlooked and ignored? I’m sure parents can not be accepted to be happy about that.

Coronateachingagain · 14/12/2022 21:04

backflicflack · 13/12/2022 14:57

Hold on a minute. I do not work at the school and again, your tone is very aggressive! Not everyone hates OHS as much as some of the people on here who I suspect are one and the same! I do not believe most of what is written in these posts as I suspect it is an individual who is not a parent who has an axe to grind! You also have to accept that you cannot please everyone, so if you are not happy, you move on. It happens all the time. Now please, let’s agree to disagree, it’s nearly Christmas for goodness sake!

Just to confirm I am one and only 😅 don't know anybody else in this chat and I have given both opinion and what I know about the school. The problem is the ownership. Times a'chanting. This private equity company (yea they are first and foremost a company) has (a lot) of debt on its balance sheet and interest rates are going up. Watch that space.

WestLondonn · 15/12/2022 00:57

@Coronateachingagain 100%

backflicflack · 15/12/2022 12:02

Just seen that OHS’s inspection report has been published and it is positively glowing. I personally am very pleased to read it. I think it will put a lot of people’s minds at rest after some of the comments on here.
No school is perfect but the report confirms that children feel safe at school and all complaints are dealt with appropriately.

Pastamaking · 15/12/2022 15:11

backflicflack · 15/12/2022 12:02

Just seen that OHS’s inspection report has been published and it is positively glowing. I personally am very pleased to read it. I think it will put a lot of people’s minds at rest after some of the comments on here.
No school is perfect but the report confirms that children feel safe at school and all complaints are dealt with appropriately.

Yes, an excellent report , from a visit last month.

No doubt the anti Duke posters will find something wrong with it!

Looking forward, I would be more concerned how independent schools will cope with the looming 20% VAT increase . Will companies like Dukes "cope with it" better than one off charity registered schools?

Coronateachingagain · 15/12/2022 19:20

backflicflack · 15/12/2022 12:02

Just seen that OHS’s inspection report has been published and it is positively glowing. I personally am very pleased to read it. I think it will put a lot of people’s minds at rest after some of the comments on here.
No school is perfect but the report confirms that children feel safe at school and all complaints are dealt with appropriately.

Wonder if they discussed the said incident with the inspectors?
Anyways, having seen these reports for a couple of schools when knowing what's going on, and not matching exactly, I would not make a decision based on a report only.
It all depends on what you want, the devil is in the detail and in the values carried through every day. You can only get proper insight from visiting the school and talking to parents. And from looking at the whole picture - who runs it, who is the owner and what are the prime objectives of the school. In this case, no doubt the financial objectives come first. They may driver a good enough service but beyond a point, maximisation of profits comes first.

Good luck especially to all those teachers and staff who put the hard work and never got paid enough.

backflicflack · 15/12/2022 21:48

All parents and children were asked to complete a questionnaire anonymously so people could say what they wanted! Yes of course you should visit a school before you buy but this report gives a great account of OHS and as I said, it is very reassuring!

WestLondonn · 16/12/2022 00:55

Yes parents of children who have not left. Reports don’t really mean anything. What does it say about the complaints. I bet no mention of this.

backflicflack · 16/12/2022 13:02

WestLondonn · 16/12/2022 00:55

Yes parents of children who have not left. Reports don’t really mean anything. What does it say about the complaints. I bet no mention of this.

Yes but if there was a culture of bullying, parents would have mentioned it in their replies to the questionnaire. I disagree, I think reports are helpful as it is the only time an outside organisation comes into the school to scrutinise it. Can only be a good thing, they are neutral.

Coronateachingagain · 16/12/2022 23:23

WestLondonn · 16/12/2022 00:55

Yes parents of children who have not left. Reports don’t really mean anything. What does it say about the complaints. I bet no mention of this.

Yep. Do they look at the change in turnover. Oh well.

WestLondonn · 17/12/2022 00:15

Coronateachingagain · 16/12/2022 23:23

Yep. Do they look at the change in turnover. Oh well.

Show quote history

Both staff and pupil turnover, average experience level of the teachers…There needs to be a balance. When experienced teachers have left and you can only attract teachers with not much experience then there is a misbalance.

backflicflack · 17/12/2022 13:30

Think people need to let this go now . There are staff who have been at OHS for years! If it was that bad, they would have left years ago! I’m not sure what people are trying to gain here now?

SwiftSnail · 17/12/2022 13:59

Yes it seems obsessive. Those reports are thoroughly done. There are plenty of ISI reports which are not excellent all round.

All schools work for different people. We are long-standing OHS parents and don't see any of the issues on this thread. All schools have pros and cons. I have two very happy children there and it has been a great balance for them. Lots of staff who have been there a while too and a very positive atmosphere. Schools being owned by private equity etc is inevitable. It is not what we'd pick in an ideal world but times are hard and it's the way things have gone.

It almost seems like some posters are obsessive hounding.

backflicflack · 17/12/2022 15:41

SwiftSnail · Yes I agree, that is exactly how I feel about it too! Merry Christmas, everyone and have a wonderful Christmas🎄

backflicflack · 17/12/2022 15:42

SwiftSnail · 17/12/2022 13:59

Yes it seems obsessive. Those reports are thoroughly done. There are plenty of ISI reports which are not excellent all round.

All schools work for different people. We are long-standing OHS parents and don't see any of the issues on this thread. All schools have pros and cons. I have two very happy children there and it has been a great balance for them. Lots of staff who have been there a while too and a very positive atmosphere. Schools being owned by private equity etc is inevitable. It is not what we'd pick in an ideal world but times are hard and it's the way things have gone.

It almost seems like some posters are obsessive hounding.

Yes that is how I feel about it too. Merry Christmas everyone and have a wonderful Christmas!🎄

geleve · 04/02/2023 20:14

i am an OHS parent and an ISI report does not convince me as they are all outstanding for all independent schools in the area. The school used to be much better and the fees are not justified at all. There are some excellent teachers, good music department but also quite a few very ordinary and I am not convinced of the new leadership. So overall a very ok school but definitely not worth the money and nothing impressive.

achiswickmum · 08/04/2024 20:05

user1471592279 · 16/03/2021 22:41

I realise this doesn’t answer your question, but I recently attended an online open event at Orchard House and it was staggeringly underwhelming. I’m not usually one to be won over by marketing initiatives used by schools, but online events held by Ravenscourt Park Prep and King’s House in Richmond were just so far superior it was almost laughable. It was like the presenters at Orchard House (Head and Admissions lady) just couldn’t be bothered. They were also completely scathing when someone dared enquire about before and after school care - ‘we’re not your babysitters’ was pretty much the line used. Put me off completely, I won’t be registering!

Hello User! Just wanted an update to see if you still felt the same way about the school and that Dukes did indeed turn out to be a positive? Many thanks