GDST Trustees

[Common]

How has the GDST Board of Trustees managed to create the first strike by staff in 149 years?

Cheryl Giovannoni and her board have treated a unique educational institution in the UK based on values, ideals and morals like a business because they fundamentally fail to comprehend the ethos of service that powers the GDST.

Schools*

@rddking one bad experience doesn’t make 25 schools bad ! 2 DD at 2 different GDST schools and we have had a great experience and have been v happy with both of them.

it is how the GDST is run and I’ve learnt a lot having been involved. Some of the schools I’m sure are great until you have a problem! It is my opinion and all I said is that it is run more like a corporate business than a nurturing caring school trust.

@Lunaverde thanks for sharing your experience. I have also found so positive feedbacks online about GDST schools.And we visited its looks really nurturing, caring environment. I also asked current school parents and they all said the same thing.

I don’t have a son? And to answer your question, after knowing what I know I wished I had sent her to a different 6th form. she had been happy before lots changed within the school.

DD is is y11 at a London GDST school. Very happy with the school. Love the head. Staff seem in general to really know the girls. Can't really judge the all the schools by a bad experience at one.

@Hihohihoitsofftoworkmaybe Actually I noticed that they already now my name and my daughters name. I visited junior and senior side and wrote few emails and they remembered me when I was in open day. My daughter felt so happy when admissions said her name. Its really friendly environment so that my daughter loved the environment. They introduce the school very well.

Think the problem is how staff were being treated wrt pensions etc. I don’t believe it is fully settled yet as next TPS review is next year and then sparks might fly again.

The indie I work for is definitely fishing from a smaller pool when we advertise. State teachers do not want to switch out in case indie school opts out of TPS and the state/private pay gap is no longer as big as it was. Plus not as many secondary teachers being trained eg Physics has only recruited 20% of the numbers needed. Only drama, history, pe and classics have met recruitment targets.

The headteachers know this but I am not sure the bursars see the impending problem.

Cheryl acts like a private business owner- her opinions are “non negotiable” (google that) - if this was a public company she would consult shareholders- as a charity what she says goes- she doesn’t answer to anyone- and pays no heed to what the world thinks. It’s kind of scary for this to be proudly proclaimed - what the parents think has no value if contradict her view.